Saratoga Horse Racing Picks for Wednesday 8/26/20
It's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.
Starting at 12:50 p.m. EST, we have nine Thoroughbred races at Saratoga. Using numberFire’s 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.
(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.)
Katies Courate and Tiz Splendid News, Race 4
FanDuel Racing Odds: 6/1 and 4/1
Race 4 is a Maiden Claiming sprint at 6 furlongs for two-year-old fillies learning their way. This is not a good group, and I can’t endorse the favorite Dash to the Top (3/1), who finished third on debut a month ago but was unable to break quickly and get in the race.
Tiz Splendid News (4/1) is working fine for trainer Wesley Ward. Top Race Reports notes she is the third foal out of the Tiznow mare and has good bloodlines and history to show well on debut.
Katies Courage (6/1) also has some good works for her debut with Luis Saez riding. Bold Article (8/1) finds a little easier spot after finishing fifth last month at lower odds. She could close better and get a boost from EPO trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr.
Karley O and Checksandbalances, Race 5
FanDuel Racing Odds: 15/1 and 8/5
Race 5 is a Maiden Claiming race for fillies and mares running a route at 1 1/16 miles on the Turf. The favorites Checksandbalances (8/5) and Kitten’s Romance (2/1) will be bets with the two leading jockey’s riding in the Ortiz brothers.
Top EPO trainer Chad Brown races Checksandbalances for the third time after improving her speed rating to 82 last month with a third-place finish as the favorite. Kitten’s Romance finished second in that race, just missing by a nose as a pace-presser while Cherokee Song (8/1) came from way off the pace to make up ground and finish fifth.
Karley O (15/1) is an unknown making her debut but with a very solid work tab, including a pair of bullet works this month. This filly offers good risk/reward to include as trainer Michelle Nevin gives her first time Lasix and turns to her ‘go-to’ jockey Manny Franco to ride. Top Race Reports also notes Karley O is by new effective sire Liam’s Map.
FanDuel Racing implied odds and probability suggest a 38% chance to win by Checksandbalances and just 6% for Kaley O, although that could prove to be a solid overlay.
Buy Land and See and Power Up Paynter, Race 7
FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/1 and 30/1
Race 7 is the minor $85,000 Mahoney Stakes with 10 runners sprinting 5 ½ furlongs on the Turf. Daily Horse Picks (DHP) projects the favorite Turned Aside (2/1) to win breaking from the far outside post. He won a Grade 3 Stakes race at Saratoga a month ago and is one of a number of speed types in this race.
Top Race Reports actually prefers the favorite's stablemate and longshot Power Up Paynter (30/1) at long odds. He won back in June from off the pace with a 94 speed rating and won another race plus two runner-up finishes prior to that all the while showing tactical ability.
Buy Land and See (8/1) ships in from Parx having won by more than six lengths last race as the favorite off a long layoff. He’s also set a track record at Parx going a longer distance. His sharp follow-up works and leading jockey Jose Ortiz selected to ride suggests he’s well-meant and placed for this race.
Island Commish (15/1) is another capable longshot noted by DHP who won a Grade 3 race earlier this year. He's since missed the board in three stakes races but still posted solid speed figures for EPO trainer Joseph Saffie, Jr.
