Saratoga Picks: Travers eve full of stakes options on betting menu on August 26

Saratoga Springs, the town north of New York's capital is immersed in equine-related activity! The celebrated Meet is already deep into Travers Week, which is the focal point of its season! Today, New York breds will be on parade!

NYRA will continue to put forward another major stakes schedule, and with full fields, it should be another exciting go! Travers Week rolls on, and there are some fabulous races scheduled! The peak will be Saturday afternoon, when the Grade 1 Travers, known historically as the "Summer Derby," breaks from the post ...  

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the action! It is a good time for some of the best that North American racing has to offer. Stay tuned! If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country this Friday be sure to check out our free Horse Racing Picks via the gold button below. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter ... Horseracing_USA !!!

Late Pick 4 … Races 8-11

Race 8: Turf, 1 1/16th, Yaddo H., $200k, F&M 3+, NY Breds

It is time to get the weekend started early, and that means playing some intriguing horizontal wagers like the Late Pick 4 that is all about the New Yorkers! Taking to the Inner Turf, these older females will be looking to pick up a nice “Non-G” prize. There is not a standout in this race, especially when you glance through their form. I am inclined to back Mark Casse’s Make Mischief #6, who might end up being a decent price. Jockey Dylan Davis is coming off “days,” after being suspended for nearly a week, so he should be “itching” to get back to the winner’s circle. His mount, a 4-yr-old daughter of super sire Into Mischief, has the class to compete here, just not the grass experience … she has never run on the stuff in competition. Let’s use this one, but I also like the look of state bred expert Marvelous Maude #7 (Chad Brown), and the well-dressed Ice Princess #1 (Danny Gargan). Including them should help us move along to the next stage …

Leg 1: 1/6/7 (3-Deep)

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager, WPS #6 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Race 9: Dirt, 7F, OC45kn2x, 3+, NY Breds

The New York state bred parade continues … albeit at a much lower level. Still, this dirt sprint should be fairly interesting to handicap. I am predicting that a good bit of cash is going to flow towards Chad Brown’s Key Point #3. That is probably deserved after the Jeff Drown-owned colt by Into Mischief posted an eye-catching speed figure last time out at Belmont. He is now moving up in class, and Manny Franco will get the opportunity to ride this one again. I am going to play against Brown, and look for some prices elsewhere within this race. I particularly like both entries that are drawn towards the inside. Todd Pletcher’s Perfect Munnings #1 is just getting her ’22 campaign going. She was excellent last year as a 3-yr-old, and with only one race to her credit so far, she has some major room for improvement. Facing open ALLW Co. more recently, makes me think she can jump back into these state waters. Luis Saez is aggressive and accomplished, so I would not count him out when he gets together with this HOF trainer. The other entry that I quite like, is Christophe Clement’s Listentoyourheart #2. Even though this gelding by Afleet Alex is still looking for his 1st win at The Spa, that doesn’t mean it will not come soon. When Joel Rosario rides for this barn, he can be very dangerous. Cutting back in distance and dropping a horse down from his last race, is a mighty interesting angle. I am hoping that both of these picks remain in the double-digit range, but I would not be surprised if bettors see what I see … and they get hammered at the windows. Here’s hoping …

Leg 2: 1/2 (2-Deep)

Wagering Recommendation: $25/$50 WP #1 and/or #2

Race 10: Turf, 1 1/16th, West Point S., $200k, 3+, NY Breds

The stakes action heats up on Friday afternoon with this turf route that is going to be an interesting challenge. I am inclined to keep it simple, and just “Single” Christophe Clement’s City Man #5. The horse by Mucho Macho Man is a deserving favorite, especially when you look at his “wins” over this past year. He is the defending champion, and regular rider Joel Rosario sure knows how to press the pace when it is necessary. If this pair is on their game, then they will be almost impossible to beat. The only other entry that I found that could pose a threat to “City’s” hegemony is Mike Maker’s seasoned, Somelikeitbrown #3. This horse looks a bit sleepy when it comes to form, but he has the ability to get the job done. He likes to get loose on the lead, setting the pace as he goes, and with the right fractions, a race can be his for the taking. Jose Ortiz is not riding up to his normal standards during the Meet, but this is Saratoga … it is tough … very tough. I am hoping Maker’s horse by Big Brown is overlooked on the tote, and that could make him an inviting price. It is time to enter the stretch, and head to the finale.

Leg 3: 3/5 (2-Deep)

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Box, 3/5

Race 11: Turf, 1 Mile, MC40k, 3+, NY Breds

Here is a finale in which if you had the cash, no one would “talk you off” hitting the “All” button at the window. Out of these 11 runners, if you can find a “Single,” then you are quite the handicapper. Cheers … I am quite partial to Gary Sciacca’s Addicted to You #11, for starters. The gelding by Bellamy Road looks the part, especially when you go back and watch his last 3 races. Flavien Prat just could not make up enough ground in each of those races, and he “Placed” each time. You can interpret that how you wish. I will take it as a sign that he is on the cusp of a breakthrough. The 11-hole is not a great post when you are trying to rate close to the lead, but I trust that Prat will do his best to be quick. Others that warrant a look, include … Todd Pletcher’s Your Mission #9, Greg DiPrima’s Bointheback #6, and finally, David Donk’s On Palm Sunday #2. What a way to end this Late Pick 4 … it is going to be a barnburner!

Leg 4: 2/6/9/11 (4-Deep)

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Box, 2/6/9/11

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Ticket: 1-6-7 / 1-2 / 3-5 / 2-6-9-11

.50 Cost LP4: $24.00

Enjoy some action from the SPA! The tradition at Saratoga Race Course marches on … Be sure to follow us on Twitter … @Horseracing_USA !!!