Saratoga Picks: Bolton Landing Stakes the focus on August 21

There are less than a handful of Sundays left at Saratoga ... get'em while their hot! The Bolton Landing Stakes runs on the grass today, and picks are flying off the shelves.

Saratoga Picks: Sunday, August 21, 2022

Race 1: 5-8-3-4
Race 2: 6-2-7-1
Race 3: 2-4-3-1/1A
Race 4: 3-7-4-8
Race 5: 8-3-10-2
Race 6: 5-7-2-8
Race 7: 2-7-3-4
Race 8: 8-3-2-5
Race 9: 10-2-3-6
Race 10: 9-5-8-3
Most Likely Winner: Baba #8 (Race 8)
Best Value: Tiberius Mercurius #8 (Race 5)

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. Time for yet another Sunday ... do not miss out!

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 Sunday 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: Baba #8, 3/1):

The Black Sheep Squadron folks own some nice stock, and I like their chances in this spot. Most bettors will have heard of the woes of one Rudy Rodriguez. His horses are not running to orders, and something is amiss. However, let’s not dwell on the macro-problems of this stable, and instead take each runner individually. I do like the offspring of Uncle Mo, one of the best sires in this era. A former claimer, she showed some early speed in her Belmont races. I particularly like that she has a win over the Saratoga track. The hustle and budding talent of Jose Gomez is fun to watch. This runner is a good bet at a square price …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #8

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 5: Tiberius Mercurius #8, 8/1):

Looking for some value on this Saratoga card, I would not negate the power of this 6-yr-old from Mike Maker’s midst. I realize that the son of The Factor has dropped way down from his prior levels. It was the spring when he competed against tough OC and ALLW Co. We know that this trainer can be “live” at any given moment, and he always pairs well with Three Diamonds Farm. Dropping further, the horse still has 2-turn capability, and with Luis Saez in the irons, this is a great play. Most will think that his Clm40k effort was very poor last out at Saratoga, but this is turf racing … always a chance for redemption.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #8 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 9: Turf, 5½F, Bolton Landing S., $150k, 2F):

The Bolton Landing is one of those exhilarating stops on the Spa stakes trail. This year’s edition has a pair of Wesley Ward runners … both owned by Stonestreet Stables. Love Reigns #2 is a strong-looking filly by U S Navy Flag that will be ridden by Irad Ortiz. The last time we saw her, she was 4th in the Queen Mary S. (G2) at Royal Ascot. It was one of those massive fields … Irad did his best. If she made the trip back well, then she is a major player. Her uncoupled stablemate, No Kay Never #3, also looks promising, just based on her grass pedigree—No Nay Never. Some might be skeptical that her maiden win at Indiana Grand gives her a fabulous chance in New York, but she did win in convincing fashion. She could be peaking at the right time, and we know Tyler Gaffalione can make sprint decisions when it counts. I want to use both of these Ward entries, but I want to take a shot with a boxcar price. Tim Hamm has his share of runners, and as the part-owner of this filly by Malibu Moon, he might end up in the winner’s circle. Her last race at Monmouth was a stakes speed festival on the grass, and it was a blistering pace. The good news is that Motown Mischief #10 gets a major rider upgrade by getting Jose Ortiz at the controls. Even though his numbers might not look all that special, this is Saratoga … so even 12% looks impressive … all things considered. Let’s use this one, that is sure to be double-digit odds on the tote. Here is what I have come up with …

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Wheel, 10 w 2/3

----------------------------------------------

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