in Triple Crown Free Picks

National racetracks.

Saratoga and we knocked down the exacta ($36.20), trifecta ($230.50) and the superfecta ($733.00). We came up short with our Pick 3 play, hitting 2 of 3 and failing to have Starforaday ($57.50) in the middle leg.

We'll start off the week with what could be a chalky feature, and we'll invest $24 in the late Pick 3 at the Spa today.

Today's Featured Race of the Day:

SAR Race 8 Perfect Sting S. (4:48 et)

#4 Amansara 2/1

#6 Hopes and Dreams 4/1

#1 Criminologist 7/2

#2 Mo Cuishle 3/1

Analysis: #4 Amansara had to check in traffic heading into the first turn, tracked the early pace while down along the inside and took over the lead heading for home but was not able to hold off the late charge of Fantastic Shirl in the last stages. The third place finisher in the race was A True Pussycat, who came back to run a good second in the Heavenly Prize on 8/24. Filly missed winning the restricted Dynasty here last summer by a nose. She is in good hands with Weaver barn and this gal has quite the pedigree, a half to four stakes winners including Marastani ($499K) and Crimson Classic ($559K). Figures to move forward, making her second start off a seven month layoff.

#6 Hopes and Dreams came with a five wide run and made a mild late rally to finish fifth, beaten 2 1/4 lengths for the top spot. Two back was third in the Duda at Belmont behind winner Fantastic Shirl, the winner of the De La Rose in her next start on 8/1. She is one of two in here with a win at nine furlongs, our top pick the other.

#1 Criminologist was a game winner last out against Alw-3 optional claimers in he first go over the grass here. Shug filly has moved forward since the surface switch to the grass. She has enough pedigree to handle the distance.

Wager: #4 to win at 9/5 or better. Exacta key of #4,#6 over #1,#4,#6.

Saratoga Late Pick 3

The Play: Starting in R7: $1: 7,9 / 1,4,6 / 3,4,7,9 = $24

SAR Race 7 OClm $75,000N3X (4:15 et)

#9 Disco's Son, #7 Bound Notebook

#9 Disco's Son set the early fractions and weakened to finish fifth last out in his first start at today's condition, unable to take advantage of a main track that was slightly favoring inside speed. Two back this colt earned a career top speed fig beating Alw-2 foes in a sharp effort. Colt is super quick like his Dad was and looking for him to bounce back here with a better effort. #7 Bound Notebook exits the same race as our top pick, coming with a three wide bid but unable to match strides late with the winner. Colt owns a solid pace profile throughout and three consecutive runner up finishes at this condition. Could make it four here, fits with his best and Hough is having a good meeting here after barn struggled here last year going 0 for 19.

SAR Race 8 Perfect Sting S. (4:48 et)

(For analysis see above)

SAR Race 9 Md Sp Wt (5:20 et)

#3 What Time It Is, #4 Dowell House, #9 Perfectly Natural, #7 Etro

#3 What Time It Is makes her first start since last October for Trombetta barn that is 23% winners with horses coming back off a +180 day layoff. MD outfit has been sending out live runners at the meeting, 6 of 11 landing in the exacta, both winners first time starters. This gal ran second and fourth in a couple of MD bred races last fall and this is her first go against maidens. Figures to be ready to go and this does not look like a real tough spot for her return. #4 Dowell House is making her first start in 13 months for Dutrow barn that is 30% winners (with a +ROI) with horses coming back off a +180 day layoff. Regal pedigree on this gal, by Danzig out of a stakes winner that has dropped two other foals to race, to earner stakes winner Marchfield ($434K).

Live Longshots:

These are price plays to watch today. A small win-place wager is in order or if your pockets are deep enough, use these runners in your trifecta and Pick 3 and Pick 4 wagers. One or two of these could be the difference between a regular day at the track and hitting the IRS window with a signer.

SAR R1: #6 Pleasant Pick 12/1

SAR R2: #2 Ten Bagger 10/1

SAR R3: #6 Rinella Storm 12/1

SAR R4: #4 Nullify 8/1

SAR R5: #8 Raisin' Silver 20/1

SAR R9: #4 Dowell House 10/1

Weekly Track Bias Report Update For August 21-27

:

8/26/07: slight edge to speed, 3 path in, 3 gate to wire

:

8/23/07: slight edge to stalkers/closers, 3-5 paths, 1 gate to wire

:

8/24/07: edge to speed, 3 path in, 5 gate to wire

Good luck padding your bankroll today!

MikeD

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