Saratoga Best Bets from Mike Somich – Friday, July 12

Saratoga Best Bets:

We are returning to Saratoga for another great day of racing, with maidens taking center stage on day two of the meet. Let’s look at some Saratoga best bets.

Coronation Cup, Saratoga, Race #9

One of the two features on the card will be run on the turf at 5.5 furlongs and is a wide-open race with the scratch of morning line favorite #10 Star of Mystery. #7 Kairyu is a price that is live in this spot. She ran well in Europe before heading stateside and, after a disappointing debut, ran very well in her first turf sprint. We are sprinting again today, and the pace should materialize for her to make one big run. I doubt we get the morning line price of 15-1, but there should still be value.

#5 Twirling Queen enters the race on a three-race winning streak but steps up in class today. She has shown versatility in those races, winning on the lead and from off the pace. I expect her to track today, and she is very live.

#1 Toupie ran second to Twiring Queen two back and, while possessing speed, should get a good tracking trip today. The post could be an issue if a hole does not open up at the rail, but if it does, watch out; the trip could be perfect.

#6 Ever So Sweet is an absolute speed burner going gate to wire in two of her career four races. She should make the lead again today, but the waters get deeper with better horses trying to run her down. She isn’t without a shot.

Picks: 7-5-1-6
Saratoga Best Bets: $50 Win #7

Wilton, Saratoga, Race #8

The other feature on the card showcases 3-year-old fillies who have never won a stakes race and drew a competitive field of seven. #6 Bells Beach should go off as a deserving favorite in this spot with a nice win last time out versus maidens. This Chad Brown trainee took a nice step forward in her second start, where she broke much better with experience. Another good break will make her very tough again today.

#1 Miss Justify switched to trainer Todd Pletcher two back, and the response was seen off the layoff. She took a huge step forward in her last race a layoff and has every right to do so again today. She’s got speed from the rail and should flash it early, but she likely will not make the lead with the #4 horse, who is a speedball. She can win from off it, so that is not a huge issue.

#7 Dazzling Move is one of the more veteran runners in this field. She has improved in her last three races and likes to come from just off the pace. That style sets up well from the outside, where you likely have a couple of horses vying for the lead early.

The aforementioned #4 Striker Has Dial could also be dangerous here, with speed to burn. This mile configuration at Saratoga has not been the best for speed, but Striker Has Dial has the chance to be loose, which can always be tough.

Picks: 6-1-7-4
Saratoga Best Bets: $50 Win #6

Spot Plays:
Saratoga Race #2 – $50 Win #7
Saratoga, Race #10, $50 Win #1