Saratoga Horse Racing Picks for Friday, August 18, 2023

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
6 6 Vivid Dreams 3.50 1 2-1
2 2 Spun Special 5.00 1.2 2-1
1 1 La Girvina 4.50 2.7 5-1
3 3 Corey and Quinn 3.50 4.3 8-1
4 4 Crushed Ice 8.00 4.5 8-1
7 7 Take Time to Dream 12.00 5.4 10-1
5 5 Ree 30.00 SCRATCH
8 8 White Chocolate 3.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 T Max 1.00 1 2-1
5 5 Luna Loca 2.50 4.2 8-1
7 7 Simple Sugar 8.00 5.4 10-1
2 2 Sweet as Sugar 10.00 6 11-1
3 3 Redzilla 15.00 6.4 12-1
4 4 Accel Rose 6.00 6.9 13-1
1 1 Racing Colors 12.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 5 Miss San Gabriel 2.00 1 2-1
7 8 Western Lane 8.00 4.9 9-1
3 3 Judgement Time 30.00 7.3 14-1
10 11 Duckphat 8.00 9.1 17-1
9 10 Pout 6.00 9.5 18-1
5 6 Dontmesswithtess 2.50 SCRATCH
2 2 Mouly 10.00 SCRATCH
8 9 Diamond Status 6.00 SCRATCH
12 13 Shigeko 3.50 SCRATCH
11 12 Dashing Della 10.00 SCRATCH
1 1 From Hello 5.00 SCRATCH
6 7 Mysterious Stare 8.00 SCRATCH
1A 4 River Tay (IRE) 5.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
Miss Our Hero 0 0-1
4 4 Stunningly 2.00 1 2-1
1 1 Magical Song 3.00 1.8 3-1
8 8 Revolving Credit 3.50 5.8 11-1
6 6 Rhiannon 4.50 5.9 11-1
5 5 Paris Style (FR) 30.00 6.2 12-1
7 7 Keep It Sexy 30.00 6.9 13-1
3 3 Miss Our Hero 6.00 7.8 15-1
2 2 Rayya Valentine 12.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
Crupi 0 0-1
5 5 Royal Spirit 4.00 1 2-1
11 11 Paddington 1.60 3 6-1
10 10 Crupi 4.00 8 15-1
6 6 Catch That Party 3.00 SCRATCH
4 4 Danzigwiththestars 8.00 SCRATCH
9 9 Hold the Salsa 20.00 SCRATCH
1 1 Fighter in the Win 10.00 SCRATCH
3 3 Good Medicine 10.00 SCRATCH
8 8 Oglethorpe 6.00 SCRATCH
2 2 Regal Kingdom 15.00 SCRATCH
7 7 Nobel (IRE) 2.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 6 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
A Knight’s Courage 0 0-1
7 7 Khadullah 8.00 1 2-1
1 1 Frozen Four 2.50 1.6 3-1
3 3 Dancing Mischief 2.00 2.2 4-1
5 5 Savage Spirit 12.00 3.1 6-1
2 2 Love That Bird 20.00 3.4 6-1
4 4 A Knight’s Courage 6.00 3.7 7-1
6 6 Eric From Miami 10.00 5.9 11-1
9 9 One Witheverything 15.00 7 13-1
11 11 Mortal Sin 10.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Unaudited 10.00 SCRATCH
8 8 Senegal 30.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Last Drink 8.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Speed Bias 2.00 1 2-1
2 2 Red Run 2.50 2.4 5-1
6 6 Blue Devil 10.00 3.8 7-1
7 7 He’s a Mess 20.00 4.8 9-1
5 5 Costa Terra 1.80 4.8 9-1
3 3 Bourbon Calling 12.00 5.3 10-1
1 1 Portos 10.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Skidmore S.) – Skidmore S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
12 12 El Grande O 6.00 1 2-1
2 2 Ship Cadet 4.00 3.8 7-1
10 10 Go Otto Go 10.00 3.9 7-1
3 3 Sebastian Run 15.00 5.6 11-1
13 13 Antonio of Venice 10.00 6.9 13-1
4 4 Seize the Grey 8.00 7.7 15-1
8 8 Billy the Greek 8.00 8 15-1
1 1 Untroubled 30.00 8.5 16-1
6 6 Five o’ Somewhere 20.00 9.9 19-1
5 5 Factor U and Me In 30.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Jimmythetooth 12.00 SCRATCH
7 7 No Nay Mets (IRE) 1.40 SCRATCH
9 9 Fandom (GB) 5.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 9 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Cees Get Degrees 8.00 1 2-1
2 2 Prisoner 3.50 1.2 2-1
5 5 Happy Farm 3.00 1.2 2-1
1 1 Seven Nation Army 8.00 3.1 6-1
6 6 Thinkaboutit 4.50 4.3 8-1
9 9 Wendell Fong 8.00 5.2 10-1
8 8 Ram 12.00 6.3 12-1
3 3 Powerfully Built 5.00 SCRATCH
4 4 Speight and Malice 30.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 10 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Rally Squirrel 2.50 1 2-1
10 10 Factually Correct 12.00 2.7 5-1
14 14 Asymmetric 2.00 2.8 5-1
13 13 Little Maddy Brown 12.00 3.3 6-1
11 11 Cut the Cord 4.00 4.1 8-1
3 3 Bourbon Chase 8.00 4.5 9-1
8 8 Sonic Speed 5.00 SCRATCH
6 6 Eddie the Great 20.00 SCRATCH
7 7 Born Dancer 8.00 SCRATCH
4 4 Whistler’s Honor 4.00 SCRATCH
5 5 American Grant 20.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Newport Bridge 6.00 SCRATCH
9 9 Be of Courage 8.00 SCRATCH
2 2 Thethrillofvictory 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.