Saratoga Weekend Best Bets – Fourstardave Weekend

Last weekend was an odd one for the Best Bets.  Thanks to a Saturday update, I'm taking a .500 weekend, keeping me above that mark on the season.  This week, we look to head even farther north of that mark.

Admittedly folks, I'm not really in love with anything this weekend.  I've scoured the coming action and am largely turning up blanks.  Resilient and undeterred, however, we press on to offer you the best we could find.

Friday's only entry in this article is brought to us by its eighth race, but one horse just isn't enough here.  For this six and a half furlong optional claimer, I'm looking at the four, Manteca, the eight, Driven By Success, and the nine, Saratoga Snacks, as the likely horses, here.  Manteca has consistently posted some quality speed numbers, and finished no worse than fourth in his last seven races.  He's the most likely here, but I think the right bets may be some exotics with Driven By Success who drops in class, and Saratoga Snacks, who, though stepping up in class, has two wins in three starts and could very well be the quality of the race.  To me, the 4 and 9 are both quality bets here, though boxes all around may be the right call.

Saturday's ninth race brings us a seven furlong sprint, and another possible exotic play.  The 4 horse, Overcommunication, will sit as the odds on favorite - finishing outside of the top three only twice in ten races. The Todd Pletcher trainee will likely hit the wire first - and could very well be a best bet - but may be worth more as part of a pairing with the eight, Bomber Boy. This four year old colt has three straight top three finishes since being claimed in April, and could very well get up near the front.  Overcommunication is the best bet here, but don't overlook Bomber Boy.

As always with Sunday Best Bets, my mind refuses to be made up until more information becomes available throughout the weekend, but tentatively, I'm looking at its third race with two possible entries.  First, and most likely, is the nine, Lemons to Lemonade. Coming off of a disappointing off-turf run in her last, this filly looks to return to the form that had her no worse than three lengths off the lead for six straight races.  If we're on the turf, here, I look to her as a quality option.  Candy Cat Can and Cindy's Joy are other possible options in this race.  Exotics anyone?

Because I just can't make it through this article without breaking down at least one maiden race, we round out this article with Sunday's sixth, a six furlong sprint.  Of the eight horses in the field, five are first starters - which terrifies me, but such is my desperation.  And so it is with a hopeful apprehension that I recommend the eight, Seasoned Warrior. A loser by only half a length in her first start, this filly came on strong at the end and could benefit from the extra sixteenth of a mile she's given here.  She boasted a quality speed figure in that race - her only start - and I guess I'll take a shot with her over a field from whom I have no real clue what to expect.

Best Bet:  I'll label Overcommunication the "Best Bet" of the weekend, though with a conviction that is, admittedly, less than that eager fervor with which I've charged into other weekends.

Rain is in the forecast the next few days, so check here for updates throughout the weekend, and, as always, any revisions I may have to Sunday's editions as more information comes out.  Good luck, all!

**The above advice is not provided by a professional handicapper - just a dude who knows some stuff doing his best.  If all goes wrong: Please be gentle.**