Handicapping

Play of the Day Race Date September 03, 2022 Track Saratoga Race 11 Overview A solid, if unspectacular renewal of the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, with more than a few who bring winning credentials. Pace It should be as honest at a 1/14-mile race can be, as #1 Tax (10-1), #2 Olympiad (2-1), and #3 Untreated (12-1) all have the speed to lead, and at the very least, want to be involved early and often. Trends You want to be close routing on the main track, as coming from too far back is not a recipe for success. Best Bet AMERICANREVOLTION Number 5 Morning Line (3-1) Best…

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…