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Horse Racing

Wednesday’s Picks from Saratoga

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read
We have 16 racing days left at the Saratoga meeting and now just 18 days until the Kentucky Derby which will be held on Saturday, Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs.
 
In fact, Saratoga and Churchill Downs will be both be running that day, which kicks off Labor Day weekend.
 
Chad Brown had another good week and has now tied with Todd Pletcher on top of the trainer standings at Saratoga, each with 18 winners. Brown got off to a bit of a slow start by his standards but appears to be picking up steam and has runners in four races this afternoon.
 
Christophe Clement has cooled off slightly and is third in the standings with 16 winners from his 71 starters while Mike Maker is fourth with 15 winners.
 
The trainers still looking to get off the duck include Mark Casse (0 for 24), Randi Persaud (0 for 24) and former Gary Contessa assistant Amira Chichakly (0 for 20).
 
On the jockey side the Ortiz brothers are starting to pull away from the field. Jose leads his brother Irad by one at 38 to 37 while Joel Rosario is third with 30 winners. Fourth in the jockey standings is Javier Castellano with 19 winners.
 
Jockeys looking to ride on Oaks and Derby Day must be at Churchill Downs by Aug. 31 and test clean of Covid-19 three times before being able to ride.
 
Jockeys that ship in from Saratoga would then not be allowed to return to the Spa and ride the final two days of the meeting. That likely is going to make for some difficult decisions for jockeys and their agents regarding where to ride and we may actually see a few jockeys decline mounts for the Run for the Roses.
 
Over the next few days, we should have a good idea of how the field is shaping up. I am hoping that the imposing Tiz the Law does not scare away too many connections and we have a full field of 20 for what this year is the second jewel of the Triple Crown.
 
You can catch the action from Saratoga from 1:00 to 5:30 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. 
 
To purchase my Saratoga Report for Wednesday click here .
 
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 (1:21 p.m. ET) 

SAR Race 2 Md Sp Wt (1:21 ET)
#4 Siesta Kew   3-1
#3 Ruby Stiletto   9-5
#5 Jill's a Hot Mess   5-2
#6 Sassy Belle   4-1
               
Analysis: Sista Kew has been working quickly in the mornings for her debut for the Maker barn that is 11% winners with first time starters. This filly is by Outwork out of a Catienus mare, her first foal to race he works including three fast gate drills that should have her fit and ready to and she is not catching a very imposing looking group here in her debut.
 
Ruby Stilletto is a $65,000 Ocala purchase making her debut for the RRod barn that is 7% winners with first timers. She is by MacLean's Music out of an Old Trieste mare that has dropped six winners including three winners. She has worked steadily over the last month and Ortiz takes the call. The barn is just 4 for 63 with juvenile firsters here dating back five years, one of those wins coming here last summer.
 
Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Saratoga:

Saratoga Race 7 Analysis (4:12 p.m. ET) 

SAR Race 7 Alw $64,000N1X (4:12 ET)
#5 Quickflash   4-1
#1 Golani Brigade   5-2
#2 Blackjack Davey   2-1
#7 Big Thicket   7-2
 
Analysis: Quickflash makes his third start off a three month break here for the Kimmel barn. He caught the slop two back in a runner up finish and last out was squeezed back coming out of the gate, tracked the early pace and just missed the place spot last out by a nose with blinkers added. He earned a career top speed fig and owns a slid pace profile throughout. Looks as if he should be able to handle seven furlongs and among the top three in here may end up the best price.
 
Golani Brigade makes his first start since last July where he broke his maiden in his second career start going seven furlongs over the main track here. The gelding has worked sharply for his return for the Brown barn that is 29% winners with runners coming back off a +180-day layoff. The trainer had a good week last week and is now tired with Pletcher in the trainer standings to start off the week. He looks like he is fit and ready to fire off the bench. 

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 Duc de Meran   8-1
R5: #4 Golden Decision   12-1
R8: #1 Hara   15-1
R9: #10 Little Red Button   8-1
 
Good luck today!

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