Race of the Day

Play of the Day Race Date September 02, 2022 Track Saratoga Race 5 Overview A wide open N1X turf route with several who come in hinting at a big effort. Pace It’s a turf route, so you can’t really expect there to be much pace, which means it’s likely to turn into a 2-furlong sprint off the turn. Trends Again, with NYRA turf racing being slow early, fast late, there’s not a lot to go by, in terms of course trends. Best Bet ENSEMBLE Number 3 Morning Line (8-1) Best Bet Overview #3 ENSEMBLE (8-1) (turf only): Lightly raced and improving, and now goes second-off the layoff, while…

Play of the Day Race Date September 01, 2022 Track Saratoga Race 8 Overview A very deep 32k claimer with several different ways to go, which means looking for value seems imperative. Pace There seems to be enough here to make things fair, as no one looks poised to clear off and control things. Trends The main track, on a whole, has been fair throughout the meet, with very few days where there’s been a bias, especially in terms of running paths. Best Bet MELTING SNOW Number 4 Morning Line (5-1) Best Bet Overview #4 MELTING SNOW (5-1): Capable sort adds blinkers for a bit more early focus,…

Play of the Day Race Date August 31, 2022 Track Saratoga Race 7 Overview A solid 32k claimer going 5 ½ Fs on the turf, with several who are dropping in class, though where their form is at remains to be seen. Pace You should get some inside speed from #2 Ballydooley (6-1), who is the only one here that could potentially keep #7 NOT PHAR NOW (7-2) occupied early. Trends We’re turf sprinting here, so you want to be close, as coming from too far back is never a great recipe for success. Best Bet NOT PHAR NOW Number 7 Morning Line (7-2) Best Bet Overview #7…

Play of the Day Race Date August 28, 2022 Track Saratoga Race 8 Overview An absolutely sterling renewal of the G1 Ballerina, with several who not only bring winning credentials, but championship ones as well. Pace This is a legitimate G1 sprint, and there’s legitimate G1 speed entered, so things should be hot and contested early. Trends The track has been a tricky read this week, especially with the heavy rains on Friday, so monitoring it Travers Day, as well as early on this card, would prove beneficial. Best Bet OBLIGATORY Number 2 Morning Line (7-2) Best Bet Overview #2 OBLIGATORY (7-2): G1 winner has never disappointed as…

Play of the Day Race Date August 27, 2022 Track Saratoga Race 13 Overview A relatively modest N1X for f/ms going long on turf, especially for the Travers Card, which means this is a race there for the taking. Pace Don’t expect much heat up front, especially in this day and age on the NYRA circuit where everyone takes back, which means this will likely be a bunched sprint off the far turn. Trends Dropping out the back on the inner turf isn’t a great idea, as speed usually plays well, though the course has played a bit more neutral this year than in years past. Best Bet…

Play of the Day Race Date August 26, 2022 Track Saratoga Race 9 Overview A very strong NYB AOC sprinting 7Fs with a strong favorite in #3 Key Point (2-1), though he could be vulnerable as he hasn’t been out since May and rises in class. Pace For a full field there’s not a ton here, so tactical speed seems at a premium, at the very least. Trends The main track has been very fair for the majority of the meet, though on such a big weekend it bears watching, as it could be hard and fast—and therefore playing to speed. Best Bet ANEJO Number 12 Morning Line…

Play of the Day Race Date August 25, 2022 Track Saratoga Race 7 Overview A typically loaded N!X allowance route going 1 3/16 miles on turf, that could go any number of different ways, with a field that all look eerily similar on paper. Pace Don’t expect much heat up front, especially in this day and age on the NYRA circuit where everyone takes back, which means this will likely be a bunched sprint off the far turn. Trends The wider turns on the Mellon will help the stalker/closers, especially since they’ll likely be winding up off the far turn. Best Bet THE GREY WIZARD Number 7 Morning…

Play of the Day Race Date August 24, 2022 Track Saratoga Race 8 Overview A compact 25k claimer sprinting on the main, with several that bring winning credentials to the table. Pace There’s not much here, so you better be able to lay close early, especially since the favorite #6 Lastchanceatglory (9-5) looks to be the pacesetter. Trends The main track sped up a bit over the weekend, with speed winning more often than not, though several were the right horses too. Best Bet LIL COMMISSIONER Number 5 Morning Line (4-1) Best Bet Overview #5 LIL COMMISSIONER (4-1): potential pace presser goes to an Antonacci barn that has…

Play of the Day Race Date August 21, 2022 Track Saratoga Race 3 Overview A seemingly evenly matched group of 12.5k claimer sprinting on the main track, though class-dropping #4 LINNY KATE (3-1) looks poised for a big form reversal. Pace It looks average, at best, as there are no confirmed front runners. Trends The main track has continued to play fair throughout the majority meet, and continued to do so last week, though being close is always preferred. Best Bet LINNY KATE Number 4 Morning Line (3-1) Best Bet Overview #4 LINNY KATE (3-1): Stiff class dropper also goes turf-to-dirt and two turns to one for Noda,…

Play of the Day Race Date August 20, 2022 Track Saratoga Race 11 Overview A relatively light N3L routing on the inner turf, as very few have consistent proven form with the figures to win this. Pace It looks on the modest side, as only #8 Barnegat Light (12-1) is a confirmed front-runner, though there are a few entered who may keep him honest. Trends Giving up too much ground on the inner, with the tighter turns, is never a good thing, so being tactical—at least—is preferred. Best Bet WICKED FAST Number 4 Morning Line (7-2) Best Bet Overview #4 WICKED FAST (7-2) (turf only): Class dropper has…