Friday’s Picks from Saratoga

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

We were washed off the turf on Thursday but still ended up with a good day, and with the rain stopping mid afternoon, it looks as if there is a chance we will be back on the grass on Friday as six of the 10 races are carded for the turf.

Among those is the $120,000 Skidmore where a field of 12 were entered, two of those main track only runners. The Wesley Ward barn has four of the 12, two that will go if we are on the grass, Kaufymaker and Overbore.

Kaufymaker is the 8-5 morning line favorite. The filly is taking on the boys here and makes her first start since running eighth in the Coventry Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot in June. She was an impressive maiden winner in her debut at Keeneland on dirt.

Overbore (5-2) caught a muddy track last out in the Tremont where he tracked the early pace and finished gamely to win by three-quarters of a length for his first career win.

The main foe to the Ward duo is the Mike Maker trained Pure Panic (2-1) who was a good looking maiden winner at Ellis Park in his debut going 5 12 furlongs.

Don’t forget we have a big day at Del Mar and Saratoga on Saturday. The highlight at Del Mar is the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1), the winner earning a free ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

At Saratoga we have a rematch between Maracuja and Malathaat in the $600,000 Alabama (G1). Malathaat was sent off as the favorite and was undefeated in her first five career starts.

She got run down at the wire by Maracuja who was sent off at 14-1. The race drew seven and there are a couple of other very talented fillies in the race including Delaware Oaks (G3) winner Crazy Beautiful and Iowa Oaks (G3) winner Army Wife.

“Saratoga Live” is on FS2 (and streaming on YouTube) from 1:00 to 6:30 ET. Looking to play the ponies? TVG is offering new players  up to a $300 Risk Free wager.  In addition, AmWager is offering up to a $500 bonus for new horseplayers.

To purchase my Saratoga Report for Friday click here .

Here is the second race (the opener is a steeplechase) from Saratoga to get the day off to a good start:

SARATOGA 1 ANALYSIS (1:05 P.M. ET)

 SAR Race 1 Clm $50,000

• #6 Subsidize 7-2
• #2 Hilliard 5-2
• #5 Fifty Sheas Ofgrey 9-2
• #7 Chao 3-1

Analysis: Subsidize stretches out form seven furlongs where this colt stalked the early pace and came with a good late rally to get up and beat $40,000 non-winners of two. His first trip on turf came two back at Churchill Downs where he was eighth against $50,000 foes. The colt stretches back out here for Brown who is 23% winners moving runners from sprint to route. The rain stopped around 2:00 yesterday and I am hoping that is enough time to dry things out so we can be on the turf this afternoon.

Hilliard raced near the back of the pack and came with a good late run to finish third last out over yielding ground against $40,000 non-winners of two. The gelding was claimed out of the race by the Maker barn that is 16% winners first off the claim. The trainer won another race yesterday and is showing no signs of slowing down at the meet. The gelding broke his maiden two back for a $50,000 tag at Belmont Park in his sixth career start. He keeps getting better.

SARATOGA 8 ANALYSIS (5:05 P.M. ET)

SAR Race 8 Alw $50,000s

• #10 Royal Realm 5-1
• #3 F F Rocket 8-1
• #1 Wicked Indeed 6-1
• #7 Full Court Press 12-1

Analysis: Royal Realm is cutting back from nine furlongs where last out this colt prompted the early pace and battled on until late in a third-place finish against $40,000 non-winners of two, missing the place spot by a nose. He was claimed out of the race by the Donk barn that does not visit the claim box often. The colt adds blinkers and his maiden score came three back at a one turn mile and he looks capable of handling the cut back to seven panels here. Decent value if we catch most of the 5-1 morning line.

F F Rocket talked the early pace, took over the lead and finished up well to beat $30,000 non-winners of two last out going 1 1/16 miles on turf. He was claimed out of the race by the Atras barn that is 34% winners (with a +ROI) first off the claim. He broke his maiden on the fake stuff going two turns but dd run a decent second at six furlongs in the mud at Oaklawn Park back in January against $30,000 non- winners of two. The barn has been sending out live runners at the meet hitting at a 32% clip and is 24% winners (with a +ROI) overall moving runners from turf to dirt.

LIVE LONGSHOTS

These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their Pick 4 and Pick 5 wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win wager.

Saratoga

• R2: #1 Trinity Titoli 8-1
• R4: #4 Rickys Revenge 12-1
• R5: #9 Kingdom On Paws 8-1
• R6: #9 Enjoyitwhilewecan 8-1
• R8: #3 F F Rocket 8-1
• R8: #7 Full Court Press 12-1
• R9: #6 Bonus Appreciation 12-1
• R10: #2 Little Nutter 10-1

Good luck today!

VegasInsider Staff

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