Saratoga Horse Racing Picks for Sunday 8/8/21
Starting at 12:35 p.m. EST, we have 12 races at Saratoga. Using numberFire’s projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing.
As always, check the program for scratches and changes and monitor 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).
Regal Glory and Shifty She, Race 7
FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/5 and 8/1
Race 7 is the $100K Fasig-Tipton De La Rose Stakes for older fillies and mares at 1 mile on the inner turf. Leading trainer Chad Brown has the two favorites: Viadera (6/5) and Regal Glory (9/5), who is 2-for-2 at Saratoga and a six-time stakes winner. The numberFire model projects those two to finish first and second, respectively.
Viadera makes her 2021 debut after closing last year with three straight stakes wins. Jose Ortiz rides, and her speed figures make her the favorite. But Regal Glory finished runner-up last summer in front of Viadera when those two met in a Grade 3 race at Belmont. On the tighter turns of Saratoga, the race looks like a tossup.
Shifty She (8/1) and top jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. is the potential upset play entering off a pair or stakes wins since May with improved triple digit speed figures. She’s won 4-of-6 races at the distance, according to Horse Racing Radar.
Wicked Halo and Microbiome, Race 8
FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 5/1
Race 8 is the $200K Grade 2 Adirondack Stakes for two-year-old fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs. Mainstay (3/1) is a major contender and projected to finish in the money, according to numberFire's data. She was a beaten favorite last month when finishing second in the Grade 3 Schuylerville.
Ontheonesandtwos (5/2) is an imposing daughter of Jimmy Creed who won her debut, and then finished runner-up as the favorite in her stakes debut in late June. She’s working well for this test, and Irad Ortiz, Jr. rides the top pick of numberFire with Wicked Halo (7/2) the runner-up.
Wicked Halo will likely go to the front with Jose Ortiz aboard for record-breaking trainer Steve Asmussen. She finished a close third behind Ontheonesandtwos last race while running on the lead in a very fast pace. She can improve and hold up on the front end without as much pressing speed.
Microbiome (5/1) won her debut easily last month going wire to wire. Guaranteed Tip Sheet has her on top, noting she posted the highest last-race speed figure.
Gam’s Mission and Con Lima, Race 9
FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/1 and 3/1
Race 9 is the $700K Grade 3 Saratoga Oaks Invitational for three-year-old fillies at 1 3/16 miles on the turf. Half the field of eight is European shippers, and trainer Chad Brown enters two with forwardly placed Rocky Sky (3/1) and Higher Truth (5/1).
numberFire's algorithm projects Con Lima (7/2) to also be forwardly placed and to hold on and win. Guaranteed Tip Sheet adds that Con Lima has five wins and a pair of seconds in seven starts on the turf, and that Plum Ali (5/1) is 1-for-1 at Saratoga and is a legit upset challenger who is capable of firing her best in her third start off a layoff. .
Creative Flair (7/2) is the second choice of numberFire and should show good stamina on firmer turf after running well on softer ground in Europe. Gam’s Mission (8/1) had a tough trip in the Belmont Oaks and looks ready for a better run after winning her three previous races, including a Grade 3. She can close well down the lane with leading jockey Luis Saez riding.
