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Horse Racing

Friday’s Picks from Saratoga

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
4 minute read
Thursday at Saratoga started off well as my top pick won the first six races on the card, although the first five ended up being the favorites.

Thoughts of a perfect day came to a halt in the seventh race as my top pick My Man Flintstone got run down in deep stretch and had to settle for second.

My top pick My Boy Tate in the feature had to settle for third at 13-1 and in the finale my top pick Tempesta got to the lead at 8-1 in deep stretch but Adios Amigos came flying at the end to get the job done by a neck in what was a tough beat to end the day.

We nailed the early Pick 4 cold, but it only returned $47.74 for a $1 and the Pick 5 for a $1 we had but it was also on the light side paying $133.74.

We have a big day coming up on Saturday, 12 races at Saratoga including five stakes highlighted by the $750,000 Whitney (G1). The race is a “Win and You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). The co-feature is the $500,000 Personal Ensign (G1) which is a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).

At Del Mar the winner of the $250,000 Bing Crosby (G1) stamps a ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1). I will include all of the stakes action from the two tracks in Saturday’s Best Plays Report.

To purchase my Saratoga Report for Friday 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 opener from Saratoga to get the day off to a good start:

Saratoga Race 1 Analysis
7/31 (1:10 p.m. ET) 

SAR Race 1 Md $50,000 (1:10 ET)
#6 Pazzion 5-2
#2 Stylish Rags 9-5
#7 Krubera 8-1
#5 Our Bella Nicole 8-1

Analysis: Pazzion debuts for the Pletcher barn that is 22% winners overall with first timers. This year the barn has won with 5 of 11 (with a +ROI) juvenile firsters and 1 of 2 at the meeting here to date. This gal is by Mission Impazible out of a Big Brown mare that ash dropped two foals to race, both winners. She has been working steadily for her return and the barn has been on a nice roll at the meeting, hitting at a 29% clip overall at the meet.

Stylish Rags debuts for the Ward barn that has been live as usual with two-year-olds. This year he has hit at a 30% clip (with a +ROI) with juvie first timers, 1 of 3 here. She is by Union Rags out of a Smart Strike mare, her first foal to race. She should be fit off works on poly at Turfway Park and then works at Keeneland with one drill here. She figures to be ready to go at first asking.

Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Saratoga:

Saratoga Race 7 Analysis
7/31 (4:40 p.m. ET) 

SAR Race 7 Clm $40,000 (4:40 ET)
#7 Gravitas 3-1
#8 Me and Mr. C 5-1
#3 Bad Beat Brian 7-2
#10 Dynadrive 7-2

Analysis: Gravitas set the early fractions and was no match for a 6 1/2 length winner in a runner up finish last out at Monmouth Park against Alw-1 foes. The gelding broke his maiden in his debut going a mile at Tampa Bay Downs and then was a solid second against Alw-1 company in his first start against winners. The winner of that race was Summer Assault, who came back to win the Mystic Lake Derby at Canterbury in his next outing on July 15. The Thomas trainee has improved with each outing and looks well spotted here dropping in for a $40,000 tag and note he faced older last out.

Me and Mr. C was not a threat last out in the Kent (G3) at Delaware Park going nine furlongs off a three-month break. Two back at Tampa Bay Downs he made a good late rally to get up and beat Alw-1 optional claimers. He drops into an easier spot here for the Allard barn that has won with 4 of his last 7 (with a +ROI) starters making their second start off a 45-180-day break. He was in the mix in a couple of stakes last year and fits well here.

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
R1: #7 Krubera 8-1
R1: #5 Our Bella Nicole 8-1
R2: #7 Zonic 8-1
R4: #7 Wicked Happy 12-1
R5: #8 Devils Rendezvous 12-1
R8: #4 Fair Lassie 12-1
R9: #1 Always Inthemunny 12-1

Good luck today!

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