Tony Gold's BEST BETS | Thebigtip

Well Im back and I have got GOLD for you this weekend with a bunch of winners at great odds!

The biggest day's racing of the Saratoga carnival in upstate New York is Travers Stakes day this Saturday . It is a top card with 5 feature races including the 141st running of the Travers or "the Midsummer Derby" as they call it.

The Travers has a field of 11 horse's and will be without the talented Looking At Lucky but has the Kentucky Derby winner in Super Saver breaking from the 11 pole. I think he will run a huge race and this is his distance if he can somehow get a good position early on from the wide gate.

After looking through the field I couldn't help but think that most  of them really are not proven at a mile and quarter and that brings you back to Super and the likes of Ice Box and Fly Down and possibly First Dude. As much as I like Super Saver I wish he had drawn in a bit. Ice Box still has question marks and I'm not convinced First Dude is as classy as he is honest.

My top pick in the race is Fly Down. I picked him in the Jim Dandy after his huge 2nd in the Belmont Stakes. He flew home that day and with a better ride would have won. I watched the Jim Dany replay and after being quite dissapointed after tipping you all on him recently I watched and quickly saw why he failed.  He had a horrible gate and also missed the start on a leader biased track being forced to drop out to last.

He did make a run only to be cut off and blocked for a 2 or 3 times in the straight running a good 5th in the end as it turns out. All the speed is drawn inside here with Miners Reserve and co. and he can settle perfectly mid field and make his move as they turn for home. At 8 to 1 he is great value and should be bet Eachway. I would put Super Saver and Ice Box next in line along with the talented Trappe Shot (ran a huge race behind Quality Road recently) and the two wild cards in Admiral Alex and Friend or Foe.

SARATOGA RACE 12.
Take a Triple in this race boxing Numbers: 2,3,6,8,9,11

Take an Exacta keying Fly Down No.8 over 2,3,6,11

BEST BET: Number 8 Fly Down WIN/SHOW (same amount) at about 8 to 1.

In the Grade 1 King Bishop its a two horse race. D'Funnybone is about 5/2 and is 4 from 4 over 7 furlongs and won the Grade 2 Saratoga Special last year by 10 lengths. Bet it to win over Discreetly Mine the favourite that is odds on.

SARATOGA RACE 11.

Take an Exacta Box with both horses No's 3 and 4.

BEST BET: Number 3 D'Funnybone WIN only at about 5/2.

Now for some real value and "ripper" of a bet in the Grade 1 Ballerina over 7 furlongs. Informed Decision is the horse to beat followed by Jessica Is Black but Im all over the 15 to 1 on First Passage! Proven at the track and distance and is flying and will give the top two a run for their money. Eachway all day on her baby!

SARATOGA RACE 10.

BEST BET: Number 8 First Passage WIN/SHOW (same amount each) at about 15 to 1

Take an Exacta Box with Numbers 3,4 and 8.

Going backwards here on the card lets look at the Grade 3 Victory Ride over 6 furlongs.

Another race with great value! Bet number 2 My Jen Eachway and thank me later at 15 to 1!

SARATOGA RACE 9

BEST BET: Number 2 My Jen WIN at about 15 to 1.

Then we have the Grade 2 Ballston Spa H.

This is a competitive race but number 9 Maram loves the track and distance. Its 5 to 1 and a great bet. The dangers are Phola, Miss Keller, Cherokee Queen and I quite fancy the Motion trained Silver Reunion. Box all 5 for the Triple.

SARATOGA RACE 8.

BEST BET: Number 9 WIN Maram at about 5 to 1.

Take a triple boxing numbers 1,3,4,8,9.

Last but not least I couldn't help but notice the Todd Pletcher trained Aikenite in race 7 at about 12 to 1. I think this horse has talent and is way over the odds.

Bet eachway on this also and you will be laughing all the way to the bank.

SARATOGA RACE 7.

BEST BET: Aikenite WIN at about 12 to 1.

Ill be back after the weekend with a roundup of all my results and from the big days racing. Goodluck and see you in the winners cirlce folks..

TGOLD out