Saratoga Picks: Late Pick 4 includes Nest as a Single on August 20

Saratoga Springs, the town north of New York's capital is immersed in equine-related activity! The celebrated Meet is way past the half-way point, but that only means that the best is yet to come ...

NYRA will continue to put forward another major stakes schedule, and with full fields, it should be another exciting go! Travers Day is coming, along with so many betting opportunities. Wait no longer ... Alabama Day has arrived!

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 Saturday 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, Lake Placid S. (G2), $200k, 3F

As we begin this Late Pick 4 sequence, I am pretty convinced that all of the participants from the Lake George (G3) are not up for a contest like this one. Chad Brown’s best chance in this race is his More Than Ready filly, Consumer Spending #4. Owned by Seth Klarman, this talented router was 3rd just behind Charlie Appleby’s With The Moonlight #1. That daughter of Frankel (GB) tracks the pace well, and she finishes with a flourish for Godolphin. If she in on her game, I am betting that replacement rider, Luis Saez, will win the prize. Let’s go with this pair, and move along to the next leg …

Leg 1: 1/4 (2-Deep)

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Box, 1 w 4

Race 9: Turf, 5½F, Smart N Fancy S., $150k, F&M 4+

Trainer Michelle Lovell is looking to remain perfect at The Spa Meet, after she won with an impressive 2-yr-old just the other day. Her mare by Fed Biz is going well, and she always seems to be a mark of consistency. With almost $1 million in earnings, Change of Control #1 will be very tough. Regular rider, Colby Hernandez, gets his shot to come to New York. I am going to play against this one because I think there is value to be had elsewhere on the form. I much prefer Ron Moquett’s first-time turfer, Sarah Harper #4 or Christophe Clement’s Too Sexy #5, a mare by Quality Road. I watched Moquett’s runner at Oaklawn in the spring, and she was impressive. By Vancourver (AUS) and out of Martz, she has some very nice turf bloodlines. Flavien Prat makes her even better on paper. As for Clement’s 5-yr-old, I have always found her to be solid, and with Joel Rosario aboard, she will be there in the end. Once again, I am economizing by using just a pair on my ticket! Keep rolling …

Leg 2: 4/5 (2-Deep)

Wagering Recommendation: .50 Trifecta Wheel, 4/5 w 4/5 w 1/2/3/6/7/8/9

Race 10: Dirt, 1¼, Alabama S. (G1), $600k, 3F

The Grade 1 Alabama Stakes comes down to a race between Todd Pletcher’s Nest #4 and D.W. Lukas’ Secret Oath #7 … for most … However, I think that Pletcher’s daughter of Curlin is the one to beat. She is head and shoulders above her rival, and I think she just keeps getting better. Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Repole Stable really outdid themselves, investing in such a magnificent equine athlete as this one. What a brood mare she is going to make someday! I am predicting another blowout win, despite the fact that other frontend speed has assembled. Sure, a duel up front could disarm the 3-yr-old’s best weapon, but Irad Ortiz is one of the best in the game at judging the pace. He knows how to hustle his mount when it matters most. To my eye, this is a clear “Single” within this sequence. Now, it is time to point towards the finale.

Leg 3: 4 (Single)

Wagering Recommendation: $50 Win, #4

Race 11: Turf, 1 1/16th, Clm35kn3L, 3+

The Inner Turf will serve as the battleground for what promises to be quite a tussle. Non-winners of 3 races are never an easy condition, and there is no way that I could really land on a “Single.” I have plenty of opinions though, and when it comes to a top selection, I am going to put my marbles behind Jorge Abreu’s Wicked Fast #4. I really liked this gelding by Tourist when he tried to climb the class ladder against OC62.5kn2x-types. He actually ran pretty well, and that was a tough ask for him. Now, he drops to a more appropriate level, and with Jose Lezcano in the irons, I would expect him to fare very well. Let’s use this one, and also add the following … Barclay Tagg’s Saratoga Flash #6, Todd Pletcher’s Aviano #7, Tim Hamm’s Barnegat Light #8, Brad Cox’s Cause to Cruise #9, Brittany Russell’s Sonic Speed #10, and Jonathan Thomas’ Box N Score #12. I am also not against including Mike Maker’s Chess’s Dream #14 because he is an “Also-Eligible” who isn’t without back class. Let’s use this bunch (including the AE), and hope a big price can scoop up the purse money. If that happens, we have a legitimate chance to cash a nice hefty ticket!

Leg 4: 4/6/7/8/9/10/12/14(AE) (-Deep)

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager, WPS #4 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

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Ticket: 1-4 / 4-5 / 4 / 4-6-7-8-9-10-12-14(AE)

.50 Cost LP4: $16.00

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