Saratoga Picks: NY Stallion Series showcases turf talent on August 18

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 for it ... the new week is pointing towards an Alabama Day on the weekend ...

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 Thursday 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 !!!

Most Likely Winner: (Race 8: Complete Agenda #2, 3/1):

Have you ever wagered on a horse time, and time, again … and they continue to let you down when you back them? Of course, the one time that you play against them, they win … sound familiar? I am going to try and see if Todd Pletcher’s son of Curlin can live up to the family name in this spot. Apparently, he has everything going for him. A strong ownership group … Repole and St. Elias … check! A HOF trainer … Pletcher … check! Maybe Luis Saez can work some of his magic, and hustle this late-running colt home for a well-earned victory. If he is 3/1 come post time, then that is a solid price. Here we go again …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #2

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 5: Raka Raka Cruz #7, 20/1):

I would like to see the hard-working jockey, Trevor McCarthy, collect some more wins at this Spa Meet. He only has 3 so far, but he will be aboard a wild card in this race. That always means a price play, and I would not write-off this 1st timer for Lenin Cruz, who also happens to own this son of Dialed In. With a nice work at Belmont in the tune-up for this race, he will get overshadowed by more powerful barns like Cox’s and Pletcher’s … Nothing like a payday! These 2-yr-old races are something … McCarthy’s dark day travels on Mondays and Tuesdays should be a benefit, keeping this fellow sharp as a tack!

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

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 9: Turf, 1 Mile, NY Stallion S., $150k, 3F, NY Breds):

The NY Stallion Series rolls on … Taking to the Inner Turf, we find a good group of young fillies that are poised to try 2-turns. Based on their form, it appears that Jorge Abreu’s Busy Morning #6 and Gary Sciacca’s Dream Central #4 will be jockeying for the top spot on the tote board. The latter is the one on the make, where as the former is looking to maintain her present course. Ridden by Javier Castellano (who is having a magnificent Meet), it looks like the daughter of Central Banker is poised to make it 3/3 in “Non-G” events. That last race though could have been a loss, and that makes me think that she was especially lucky. As for her odds rival, Abreu has this class jumper handling the turf just fine. Jose Lezcano chooses to stay aboard this one, instead of heading over to ride Sciacca’s … does that mean something? Well-bred by War Dancer, she has a nice stride about her, and won by a whopping 6-lengths. If she can make that happen again, it will be a big surprise. I am willing to take a chance on her, but I would not leave out Michelle Nevin’s own War Dancer filly—Royal Dancer #3. Ridden by Irad Ortiz, even though this one might be still be looking to break her maiden, she has talent in spades. Let’s see if extending back out to a mile suits her fancy. Here is my wager that I will be playing …

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Wheel, 6 w 3/4 w 3/4

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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 !!!