Saratoga Picks: Lone Rock v. Fearless, Part II on July 28

Saratoga ... aka The Spa ... is situated impressively in Upstate New York. The celebrated track is ready to continue its 3rd week of racing. The town north of Albany is bustling with activity and has what many consider the best competition of the entire year.

NYRA will continue to put forward another major stakes schedule (the Grade 2 Jim Dandy will be a highlight on Saturday), and with full fields, it should be another exciting season!

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 5: Fearless #1, 4/5):

Todd Pletcher’s gelding by the great Ghostzapper has an apt name … Right now, he is headed in the proper direction after defeating his rival Lone Rock #2 last time out in the Brooklyn (G2) on the Belmont Stakes undercard. It seems like everything is going Repole Stables’ way, and that should continue. The HOF conditioner figured out that his charge doesn’t mind the added distances, and this runner’s maturity is really starting to shine through. The distance dirt races like this one are few and far between, but let’s face it … he is becoming a fearless one in this division.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #1

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 6: Tekila #14, 8/1):

If this race comes off-the-turf because of the rain, I am hoping that Mark Hennig’s runner draws-in. There is much to like about this sprinter, and it starts with his class drop. I think his chances will be helped by the dean of jockeys, John Velazquez, who just keeps going. The M/L price of 8/1 suits me just fine, and Hennig has the opportunity to get his 1st win of the Meet. After 10 attempts, this filly by Liam’s Map is due for a maiden victory.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #14 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Dirt, 1 1/8th, ALLW95kn1x, 3+):

The state breds will be taking to the Main Track on Thursday for this ALLW Co. event. This is what we call a great betting race because there are so many options. That sentiment might run contrary when you see the M/L favorite … Chad Brown’s Price Discipline #4 (4/5). The colt by Overanalyze certainly “looks” formidable, but I am not sure that he is a “shoe-in” for the victory. Routing this distance can be tricky, and even though Flavien Prat is aboard again, I do not want to just accept what is probably going to be a very short price. Instead, I am going out on a limb, and focusing my attention on Horacio De Paz’s Mr Breadwinner #7. This is one of my favorite kind of horses … one who is looking to get back to doing something that he was clearly good at … in this case, dirt racing. Now, I realize that he hasn’t officially travelled this far on the surface, but in his defense the son of Tonalist was solid on the frontend at Aqueduct going a mile in a MSW70k. Ridden by Kendrick Carmouche (his regular jockey), he should be able to build on that effort, if he can exit the gate well enough. His price will be superb (double-digits), and I like his conditioner’s numbers in situations like these. Let’s go get some bread!

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Cold, 7 w 4

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

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