Saratoga Picks: Smash Ticket gets her shot in the Prioress S. on September 2

The final countdown begins ... Saratoga has just 4 days left on the 2022 calendar and they are going to make it a good one! Picks attached, plus some targeted analysis!

Saratoga Picks: Friday, September 2, 2022

Race 1: 9-1-6-8
Race 2: 5-3-6-2
Race 3: 4-2-3-1
Race 4: 6-4-2-8
Race 5: 7-8-1-10
Race 6: 10-5-2-7
Race 7: 3-1-9-4
Race 8: 6-2-7-4
Race 9: 3-9-1-2
Race 10: 5-9-2-8
Most Likely Winner: Voodoo Zip #6 (Race 8)
Best Value: Transient #7 (Race 5)

Saratoga Springs, the town north of New York's capital is immersed in equine-related activity! The celebrated Meet has now passed Travers Day, and that means we have less than a handful of racing before "closing" arrives on Labor Day Monday. Enjoy it while it lasts!

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 !!!

Horse Racing Picks

Most Likely Winner: (Race 8: Voodoo Zip #6, 5/2):

The Lucky Coin $150 is a turf sprint … and what do we know about these types of races? They are hard … I want a runner that has experience on the grass, and is exiting a “key” race. Christophe Clement’s son of City Zip did not hit-the-board in that Grade 2 stakes race at Woodbine back in early July, but that doesn’t mean he did not learn something. West Point's own faced Ward’s Bound for Nowhere and 9 other formidable opponents. Coming back to a NYRA course, I would expect that he could build on such an effort. The hot riding Joel Rosario is back after serving a suspension, and count on him being “hungry” for some victories.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #6

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 5: Transient #7, 6/1):

This filly by Sea the Stars (IRE) is going to be my play of the day. She is a former Mark Casse runner that is now in the care of Saffie Joseph, a conditioner that is having a banner year. Tyler Gafflione knows how to get the job done on the turf, and I am betting that this one is going to fire off the bench. His new trainer has had him working at NYRA courses throughout the year. Time for his ’22 debut …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #7 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 9: Dirt, 3F, Prioress S. (G2), $250k, 3F):

The “feature” on this Friday is going to be a fun race … the Grade 2 Prioress S. If you are a female 3-yr-old sprinter, or one that did not want to take on Nest in the Alabama S. (G1) going long, then this is your spot. This is a quality field, and I am going to try and play a ticket that gives me the best chance to maximize a score. I have no doubts about the talent of Smash Ticket #9, a runner that was broken and campaigned by New Mexico’s own, Todd Fincher. People think that this is a Rob Atras horse, but the trainer was only recently on the scene. I was a little surprised when the owners gave the credit to him when their horse won an OC62.5kn2x last out at Saratoga. We are going to see what this daughter of Midnight Lute is capable of, as Kendrick Carmouche tries to deliver a “graded” victory. He has one job … get to the lead. If he does, this time around he is going to pair up with the likes of Rudy Rodriguez’s Hot Peppers #2. Even though this conditioner is having an abysmal meet, this is a talented filly by Khozan. She has a strong resume, and Luis Saez can rival Carmouche’s intensity on the frontend. Looks like a possible speed duel, and that means … closers could come into play. Therefore, I like Steve Asmussen’s Wicked Halo #1 and also Mike Maker’s Lady Scarlet #3. Both of these tracking types offer value. The former gets Tyler Gaffalione, and comes to Saratoga with a pair of recent stakes wins at Churchill Downs over the summer. By Union Rags, the latter is well-travelled, and she has competed in some hostile environments … Oaklawn, Aqueduct, Keeneland, Pimlico, and here at The Spa. She is going to be a great price, and Jose Ortiz is going to have the chance to thrive in a race like this one. This is going to be a fun one to wager and watch …

Wagering Recommendation: $1 Superfecta Box, 1/2/3/9

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