Friday Horse Play – Cashing in at Saratoga

Horse Pick of the Day: Saratoga – Race 8

Race-day: 7/31/2009

Race-time: 6:22 pm est.

During the Saratoga meet horseplayers are going to be treated to graded stakes action almost every day during the week where horses are running at the track.

Such is the case on Friday when the feature at Saratoga is the Grade II Lake George Stakes. The Lake George also happens to be the Friday Horse Pick of the Day.

Let’s take a look at Race 8 at Saratoga on Friday night.

Saratoga – Race 8

Grade II Lake George Stakes

$150,000

For Fillies Three Years Old

1 1/16th miles on the inner turf

Keertana – - 5/1 morning line odds

Keertana has won three races in a row including a $100,000 stakes and the Grade III Regret. She stay a couple of lengths behind the expected pace setters and then take over in the lane. She’s been training well over the Saratoga turf and the jockey switch to Jose Lezcano shouldn’t be a big deal as Lezcano is winning with 18% of his mounts in 2009. She figures to be in perfect position turning for home.

Consequence – - 9/2 morning line odds

The Shug McGaughey trained daughter of El Prado figures to try to do what Keertana wants to do by hanging a bit off of the speed before making a run. The problem is that Consequence can be headstrong in her races at times and might be compromised if she goes after the speed early. She’s still a great Racebook wager at the odds and the inner turf should be playing towards speed at this point at the meet.

Mary’s Follies – - 3/1 morning line odds

She could find herself on the lead and maybe on the lead by herself if Consequence doesn’t go with her. If that happens, then she has a great chance of wiring this field. She goes to the barn of Richard Dutrow, who is 33% winners first time, and gets the services of Ramon Dominguez. She will be over bet, but her chances of winning are right there with Keertana and Consequence.

Wagering Strategy

I’m going to bet Keertana to win and place as she figures to go off at a square price in this race. I’ll bet Keertana, Mary’s Follies and Consequence in an exacta and a trifecta box.