Saratoga Horse Racing Picks for Thursday 8/6/20
It's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.
Starting at 1:10 p.m. EST, we have 9 races at Saratoga. Using our numberFire projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets.
As always, check the program for scratches and changes, and check the weather and track conditions. Neither show speed figures of the top pick.
(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions.)
Keota, Race 2
FanDuel Racing Odds: 2/1
Race 2 is a Starter Allowance sprint at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf. Six fillies and mares are lined up after Malibu Mischief (2/1) was scratched. That leaves most of the money bet on favorite Keota (4/5) for EPO trainer Chad Brown. With leading jockey Irad Ortiz riding, there will be no value or payoff here, but Keota is still the most likely winner with FanDuel Racing implied odds suggesting a 56% chance to win. She has the most speed and will likely press the leaders before taking over in the stretch.
But numberFire thinks Grudge (9/2) can upset, and Wicked Amber (8/1) is the other runner to look at if you're bet against the favorite.
Hungry Kitten and Tizahra, Race 7
FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/1 and 6/1
Race 7 is a marathon at 1 3/8 miles on the Inner Turf. It's a competitive field of eight fillies and mares in this Allowance race, and numberFire likes slight favorite Dyna Passer (5/2) on top followed by Pallas Athene (8/1) and Mighty Scarlett (3/1). Dyna Passer failed to hit the board in her last race three weeks ago off a layoff. Her speed figures are solid in the 90s, and she even hit 100 last year.
Mighty Scarlett has raced against better company in Kentucky but has not won a race since 2018 and tries this added distance for the first time. Jockey Jose Ortiz has been the most effective rider at the meet on turf, and he rides Hungry Kitten (5/1) for trainer Shug McGaughey. She is plenty able to go the distance and close from off the pace after winning a 1 1/4-mile race last month. She’s in good health and still improving
Tizahra (6/1) also stretches to this distance for the first time. Trainer Ian Wilkes accentuates her good form off a pair of mile wins. She's included at a price.
Guaranteed Tip Sheet likes Dyna Passer but prefers trainer Chad Brown’s Eliade (7/2) on top with Ortiz, Jr. riding. She finished sixth in her U.S. debut in June off a long layoff but has the proven speed and distance ability. Include her in Exacta and Trifecta wagering.
Jolting Joe and Fresco, Race 8
FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/5 and 5/2
Race 8 is the $100K NY Stallion Series Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on the turf restricted to New York-sired three-year-olds. One of the favorites in the six-horse field is Dream Bigger (2/1), a three-time stakes winner who switches over to turf for the first time for EPO trainer Rudy Rodriguez. There is limited turf pedigree in his profile, and he’s never had two turns of a mile or more. Jose Ortiz rides Dream Bigger, who is the top choice of Daily Horse Picks, which rates him tops in speed and class.
The top pick at numberFire is long shot Zipalong (15/1) followed by Jolting Joe. Following a maiden win in June, Zipalong finished fourth against winners but improved to a career-best 91 speed figure. Red-hot EPO trainer Mike Maker has two runners in here, including Turbo Drive (9/2) and Jolting Joe. Turbo Drive is the only other runner with a least two wins.
Jolting Joe (9/5) is improving and has faced better, including Kentucky Derby runners as a two-year-old. He’s finished second in all four career starts and just missed running at this distance up front two weeks ago at Ellis Park with a 94 speed figure. Tyler Gaffalione rides, and a win for the first time is within reach.
Fresco (5/2) won the filly division of a NY Stallion Series race two weeks ago with ease. Ortiz, Jr. will try to get her best to beat the boys for the first time, and she's worth including with leading trainer Christophe Clement so good the past month. Long shot Stuy Town Baby (20/1) is also a filly who is off a maiden win and gets to run at lightest weight.
