Saratoga Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, August 17, 2024

Below is a table for each race of the day. The table is ordered by our algorythmically calculated expected order of finish. Our program takes into account past performances, workout times, speed ratings, recency, and breeder/jockey data amoung other data points.

Using the “Expected” column, the lower number is better. When there is a clear lowest value, we like that horse best to win. In situations where many horses share low numbers, we like those horses equally well. If no horse is under 3, the results are less clear to us and bettors should examine the race more closely.

Using the “Value” column, we present the minimum payout we would recommend betting the particular horse. Look for higher-paying odds than those listed if you like that horse.

Scratches are notated and will be updated as available.

RACE NUMBER 1 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Baytown Guvnah 20.00 1 2-1
7 8 Social Hour 4.50 3.3 6-1
5 6 Perfect Force 8.00 3.3 6-1
1A 5 Moment’s Notice 1.40 4.8 9-1
4 4 McHale 6.00 5.2 10-1
1 2 Sansone 1.40 5.8 11-1
8 9 Tiz Freedom 6.00 7.6 14-1
6 7 Jonathan’s Way 4.00 8.5 16-1
2 1 Flat to Da Mat 30.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 10 Sam’s Rocket 10.00 1 2-1
9 9 Valuation Metric 2.50 1.9 4-1
1 1 Asbury Park (GB) 5.00 2.1 4-1
6 6 Davy Crockett 8.00 2.4 5-1
3 3 Policy Change 6.00 2.5 5-1
5 5 Concord Green 8.00 2.7 5-1
4 4 Dragoneer 6.00 2.8 5-1
11 11 Johny’s Rendezvous 5.00 3.5 7-1
2 2 Hammerhead 15.00 4.2 8-1
8 8 Jerry’s Out 20.00 5.1 10-1
1A 15 Complex Agenda 5.00 SCRATCH
14 14 West Beach 3.50 SCRATCH
13 13 Academy 8.00 SCRATCH
15 16 Tharhom 4.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Strategist 15.00 SCRATCH
7 7 Royal’s Pride (GB) 8.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Nic’s Style 1.80 1 2-1
1 1 Benedetta 10.00 1.6 3-1
5 5 Girls Weekend 6.00 5 9-1
3 3 Belle of the Ball 20.00 5.4 10-1
2 2 Bandita 1.20 5.8 11-1
7 7 Stop Giggling 8.00 6.2 12-1
6 6 Killy Start 15.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 10 Peak Earnings (GB) 4.00 1 2-1
12 12 Boss of All 4.50 1.3 2-1
3 3 River Tay (IRE) 8.00 1.3 2-1
1 1 Beach Cruiser 10.00 2.8 5-1
6 6 Empires Princess 5.00 2.9 6-1
2 2 Valentine Gift 15.00 4.9 9-1
5 5 Hue 3.00 5.8 11-1
4 4 Miss Bourbon 20.00 6.2 12-1
9 9 Six Pack Senorita 12.00 6.4 12-1
11 11 Play Free Bird 12.00 6.8 13-1
8 8 Quiescent 8.00 SCRATCH
15 15 Ghostbustin 8.00 SCRATCH
7 7 Turf Rocket 5.00 SCRATCH
14 14 Bella Voce 4.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Thirsty Accountant 15.00 SCRATCH
16 16 Find Your Joy 12.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Macaw 2.50 1 2-1
4 4 Salacious 4.00 3.9 7-1
1 1 Crusading 10.00 4 8-1
9 9 Ramesses 5.00 4.6 9-1
5 5 Remember the Chief 6.00 5.1 10-1
8 8 Bounteous 8.00 5.7 11-1
10 10 Hours in a Day 20.00 6.1 12-1
2 2 Cowboy Luke 15.00 6.2 12-1
3 3 Vincita 6.00 SCRATCH
6 6 Mighty Glory 30.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Smooth an Easy 20.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 6 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Bettrluckythangood 4.50 1 2-1
4 4 Call Me Harry 3.00 1.9 4-1
3 3 Laurel Valley 6.00 2.8 5-1
7 7 Let’s Go Big Blue 4.00 2.9 5-1
8 8 Agent Creed 5.00 3.5 7-1
5 5 Rough Draft 12.00 4.2 8-1
9 9 Maxwell Esquire 12.00 4.5 9-1
2 2 Locke and Key 6.00 4.6 9-1
1 1 Sell Something 30.00 8 15-1
14 14 Horse Be With You 12.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Colloquy 6.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Shadow Dragon 2.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Neural Network 6.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Mighty Atlas 2.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 7 Mondego (GB) 5.00 1 2-1
9 8 Reckoning Force 5.00 1.9 4-1
4 3 Freedom Trail 3.50 3.8 7-1
2 1 Cyber Ninja 10.00 4.6 9-1
6 5 Mendelssohns March 15.00 4.8 9-1
11 10 Red Run 10.00 5.3 10-1
10 9 Daunt 10.00 5.4 10-1
7 6 Dripping Gold 6.00 6.1 11-1
3 2 Lincoln Hawk (IRE) 15.00 7.8 15-1
12 11 Lucky Curlin 20.00 SCRATCH
1A 15 St Andrews 8.00 SCRATCH
14 14 Costa Terra 2.50 SCRATCH
13 12 Dai Vernon 2.00 SCRATCH
1 13 Duke of Gloucester 8.00 SCRATCH
5 4 Catch a Wave 4.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Rocketeer 4.50 1 2-1
10 10 Timeout 2.50 2.3 4-1
7 7 Game Warden 8.00 3.8 7-1
2 2 Digital Ops 12.00 4.3 8-1
5 5 Jackson Heights 15.00 5 9-1
3 3 D Day Sky 30.00 5.9 11-1
1 1 Cartucho 20.00 6 11-1
4 4 Bank Frenzy 6.00 SCRATCH
9 9 Donegal Surges 3.00 SCRATCH
8 8 Django 10.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 9 (Lake Placid S. Presented By Caesars Sportsbook) – Lake Placid S. Presented By Caesars Sportsbook

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
Grayosh 0 0-1
7 7 She Feels Pretty 2.00 1 2-1
10 10 Dynamic Pricing (IRE) 6.00 3.3 6-1
4 4 De Regreso 15.00 4.1 8-1
11 11 Beautiful Love (IRE) 4.00 6.2 12-1
2 2 Grayosh 8.00 6.3 12-1
5 5 Spaliday 12.00 7.4 14-1
8 8 Ori 50.00 7.9 15-1
3 3 Gala Brand 20.00 7.9 15-1
14 14 Camera 6.00 SCRATCH
1 1 Deep Satin 10.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Manama Gold 2.50 SCRATCH
9 9 Proctor Street 8.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Lemon Muffin 5.00 SCRATCH
6 6 Les Reys (FR) 10.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 10 (Alabama S. Presented By Keeneland Sales) – Alabama S. Presented By Keeneland Sales

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
Just Basking 0 0-1
Just Basking 0 0-1
Power Squeeze 0 0-1
1 1 Intricate 6.00 1 2-1
2 2 Chatalas 8.00 1.8 3-1
7 7 Candied 1.40 2.1 4-1
8 8 Neon Icon 15.00 2.3 4-1
6 6 Miss Justify 6.00 3.4 6-1
3 3 Power Squeeze 4.50 5.6 11-1
4 4 Just Basking 5.00 7.5 14-1
5 5 America’s Vow 20.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 11 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Unlimitedpotential 2.50 1 2-1
6 6 Have You Heard 10.00 1.1 2-1
3 3 Yo Daddy 3.00 1.3 2-1
4 4 Who’s the King 6.00 3.2 6-1
10 10 Pursuit of Power 8.00 3.3 6-1
1 1 Smile Mon 12.00 3.4 6-1
8 8 Storming Chrome 8.00 3.5 7-1
9 9 Special Dispatch 15.00 4.8 9-1
2 2 Unstable Prince 15.00 5.9 11-1
5 5 Wind Ninety Nine 10.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 12 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Heart of the Night 2.00 1 2-1
6 6 Naughty Destiny 6.00 1.9 4-1
8 8 Barefoot Disco 6.00 2.9 6-1
5 5 Beautiful Thief 1.60 3.5 7-1
11 11 Long Legged Queen 8.00 4.2 8-1
2 2 My Executive Sweet 30.00 5.3 10-1
7 7 La Fiere 30.00 5.7 11-1
9 9 Follow Your Arrow 20.00 6.4 12-1
4 4 Duchessofnormandy 20.00 6.5 12-1
1 1 Lucy Playa 15.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Lonchura 20.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Good Mission 8.00 SCRATCH

Picks are based on historical performance and match-up. Keep up to date on late scratches and other changes – those are not taken into consideration. Sports from the Basement provides no warranty on these suggestions and readers should make picks at their own risk.