Saratoga Horse Racing Picks for Thursday 8/19/21
Starting at 1:05 p.m. EST, we have 10 races at Saratoga. Using numberFire’s projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing.
As always, check the program for scratches and changes and monitor the weather and track conditions.
(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions).
She’s a Black Belt and Anna’s Fast, Race 1
FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/1 and 8/5
Race 1 is a Claiming race for fillies and mares at 6 furlongs, and numberFire’s model aligns with FanDuel Racing's favorites as the top two finishers -- True Castle (7/5) and Anna’s Fast (8/5) break from the inside posts.
Anna’s Fast was dominant on the front end in winning a pair of claiming races during the Belmont meet in front of True Castle. She was claimed by EPO trainer Rob Atras and ran a poor race last out with a very fast pace against stronger runners.
She’s a Black Belt (8/1) finished fourth behind the two favorites last month and was not competitive. But she’s a mare who can do her best work over a wet and sloppy track, which is likely today.
Misty Veil and More Moonshine, Race 4
FanDuel Racing Odds: 4/1 and 1/1
Race 4 is an Allowance race for fillies and mares at 1/18 miles. numberFire's algorithm projects the in-the-money finishers as Misty Veil (4/1), Ice Princes (5/2), and the even-money favorite, More Moonshine (1/1).
More Moonshine won her debut by more than six lengths last month with an off-the-pace kick to finish with a 92 speed figure. She now stretches out long against winners.
Misty Veil won her last start a month ago at this distance and posted a career-best 93 speed figure in a seven-length wire-to-wire romp. Ice Princess is capable of rallying late.
Check the weather, track conditions, and any scratches with rain likely.
Awesome Debate, Race 9
FanDuel Racing Odds: 4/1
Race 9 is the $100K Union Avenue Handicap for state-bred fillies and mares at 6 ½ furlongs. numberFire's model projects Awesome Debate (4/1) with leading jockey Luis Saez riding to edge the favorite on the rail and Sadie Lady (2/5) with jockey Jose Ortiz as the runner-up. Irish Constitution (5/1) is also a contender who won in March and ran her fastest race last out in May when finishing third.
Sadie Lady is two-for-three this year winning a pair of minor stakes with triple-digit speed figures.
Awesome Debate won her only start at Saratoga a month ago and raced again just 10 days ago at Finger Lakes. She has three wins this year and can challenge running up front based on her 104 speed figure in a runner-up finish in May.
