Sign In $
Horse Racing

Wednesday’s Picks from Saratoga

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read
The first week of the Saratoga meeting is in the books and after the first four days of racing from last Thursday to Sunday there has not been too many surprises.
 
Chad Brown is sitting on top of the trainer standings with six wins from his 16 starters. Christophe Clement is off to a hot start at the meeting with five wins from his 13 starters.
 
Among the Clement winners were Decorated Invader taking the Hall of Fame (G2) and Speaktomeofsummer winning the Lake Placid (G2).
 
Linda Rice is third in the standings, winning with four of her nine starters. Danny Gargan, Brad Cox and Mike Maker are each 0 for 8 at the meeting.
 
Joel Rosario and Jose Ortiz are tied in the jockey standings, each booting home eight winners. Manny Franco has picked up five winners for third in the standings. Irad Ortiz Jr. is just 4 for 30.
 
Two jocks still looking to get off the duck are a bit surprising. Ricardo Santana Jr. is 0 for 13 and Kendrick Carmouche is 0 for 12.
 
After four days of racing 21 of the winning horses made their previous start at Belmont Park. Five raced previously at Churchill Downs. Four last raced at Aqueduct. Laurel Park and Gulfstream Park each accounted for a pair of winners. And five were first time starters.
 
To purchase my Saratoga Report for Wednesday click here .
 
You can catch the action from Saratoga from 1:00 to 6:00 ET on FS2. In addition, you can stream the action on YouTube or by using the TVG App. The horse betting company based in the U.S. is offering a risk free bet up to $300 for new players. 
 
Now is the perfect time to purchase my Monthly Package. It gives you a month of Saratoga Reports daily and my Best Plays Report which will include all the major Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races.
 
Here is the second race (the opener is a jump race) from Saratoga to get the day off to a good start:

Saratoga Race 2 Analysis - 7/22 (1:21 p.m. ET)

SAR Race 2 Clm $40,000N2L (1:21 ET)
#5 Star of the West   4-1
#3 Box of Chocolates   2-1
#2 Wicksters Dream   5-1
#7 Bernin' Thru Gold   7-2
               
Analysis: Star of the West took the field gate to wire to break his maiden for a $20,000 tag last out off a 11-month layoff. He was sent off as the favorite and while he did take advantage of a racing strip that was kind to speed, three he beat came back to graduate in their next starts. He was claimed out of his debut last summer here where he was fourth behind Wicked Trick who went on to win his next five starts. He owns solid early and mid pace numbers and looks capable of moving forward enough second off the beak to win in this spot.
 
Box of Chocolates stalked the early pace after not getting off cleanly, made a good middle move to take over the lead and then could not match strides with the winner in a runner up finish last out against $50,000 non-winners of two at Churchill Downs going even furlongs. The gelding was claimed out of the race by the Diodoro barn that is 31% winners (with a +ROI) first off the claim. He matches his career top last out and while he has a few too many seconds and thirds he fits well in this spot in for a $40,000 tag for a sharp outfit.
 
Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Saratoga:

Saratoga Race 9 Analysis - 7/22 (4:46 p.m. ET)

SAR Race 8 Alw $74,000N1X (4:46 ET)
#2 Wild Medagliad'oro   5-2
#3 Colonel Liam   6-1
#4 Smile Bryan   9-2
#6 La Hara   2-1
 
Analysis: Wild Medagliad'oro set the early fractions, leapt in the air awkwardly on the backstretch, got his momentum back and ran on while down along the inside in a third-place finish in the Soldier's Dancer at Gulfstream Park. He broke his maiden on turf at Belmont Park last May and beat Florida bred Alw-1 optional claimers two back in a gate to wire score at Gulfstream Park. He owns solid early and mid pace numbers and fits well here for Casse while picking up Johnny V.
 
Colonel Liam makes his turf debut here in his third career start. Last out he chased the early pace and weakened to finish third in the slop at Gulfstream Park. The winner Blue Bluff came back to beat $12,500 starter allowance foes at Philly while the fifth-place finisher beat $6,250 claimers in his next outing. This guy was a $1.2 million Ocala purchase. He is out of a Bernardini mare that has dropped one other winner, Marvelous Kitten ($84,723) who is stakes placed on turf. He looks as if he still has plenty of upside and the 6-1 morning line looks fair enough to give him a look on the surface switch.

Live Longshots

These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.
 
Saratoga
R3: #3 The J Y   10-1
R5: #3 Inside Info   10-1
R7: #12 Crescent Lady   8-1
R9: #4 Lem Me Have It   8-1
R10: #7 Gringotts   12-1
R10: #3 Lottie’s Mizzion   12-1
 
Good luck today!

Horse Racing News

VegasInsider Staff

VegasInsider Staff

More from VegasInsider Staff
•