Saratoga: Wednesday 8/26 Plays R8 - Pete's Picks

Little Pete
Aug 26
3 min read

Eight races to kick off Travers week here at the Spa. I will be condensing my plays down to just the numbers and attacking the early double starting in R2 (Races 1 & 2) and a spot pick 3 (Races 3-5). Big Pete will attack his "Play of the Day" and the late pick 3 (Races 6-8). We appreciate you taking a look at this write-up and GOOD LUCK.

Little Pete's $ 10.00 Early Double:

R1: 3, 6

R2: 2, 7 Cost: $ 20.00

R3: 1, 5, 6

R4: 2, 4

R5: 1, 7, 8, 9 Cost: $ 24.00

Big Pete's $ 1.00 Late Pick 3:

R6: 4, 5, 6

R7: 1, 3, 8

R8: 1, 3, 7 Cost: $ 27.00

Big Pete's "Play of the Day":

Race 3:

You have to try and look past the 1 for 17 record on (6) OUR PREFERRED PAL. Her current form and speed figures are better than most in here. Only Timia has been faster than her in recent starts. Manny taking over, with his current form as well, bodes well for this filly to keep rolling along. Franco has options to go or sit back and let the others duke it out. I'll leave it in his hands as he hasn't made too many mistakes this meet.

I’ll use (1) Furry Fox and (5) Timia underneath for the exacta.

$ 7.00 WPS 6 Cost $ 21.00

$ 5.00 Ex 6 w/ 1, 5 Cost $ 10.00

$ 2.00 Ex 1, 5 w/ 6 Cost $ 4.00

We’ll also use (6) Our Preffered Pal in R3 and try to cash in on a Daily Double.

(2) Saint Tropez and (4) Fletch's Rockette in the 4th.

$ 7.00 Daily Double 6 w/ 2, 4 Cost $ 14.00

Big Pete's Late Pick 3:

Race 6:

(6) GLEN AIRY dominated an easier bunch and then was moved to the Rice barn. His last out speed figure stacks up well with this group, and he can also improve a little for his new connections. A lot to like. The speed will come from the (4) PINEAPPLE MAN. He comes back quickly, as does Glen, but the cutback helps him. He may have needed both 2026 races to help set him up for this. The sleeper will be (5) SMILENSAYCHEESE. He's not your winning type and has had a tough year so far, but his last two are sneaky good. A big closing kick at 7F two back and then tried to build stamina going 9F. It seems as though they were planning for this 1M spot to give him a chance at a Spa win. Maybe now or never for this guy to get his picture taken. I'll try him at this 20:1 ML.

$ 7.00 WPS 5 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Ex Box 4, 5, 6 Cost $ 18.00

Race 7:

(8) SHINING MOMENT ships in with some speed, and they got the right guy up this time. The one to catch. If others go too, that should set up for two logicals to come late. (1) MORE CHAMPAGNE is a Golden Pal with some late foot. Johnny V can save the ground with the hedge draw and finish up late. (3) SIDE QUEST has a similar style and will likely follow the flow of Champagne. Both look strong here.

$ 7.00 WPS 1 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Ex Box 1, 3, 8 Cost $ 18.00

Race 8:

(3) STARSHIP LIZZY added L1 last time, and it seemed to help as she showed more speed and staying power. She should get to the front again and make the others try to catch her. (1) ALL BRIGHT exits the same race where she tried to close in against Lizzy but came up a length short. Jose can make up that distance and looms large for the rematch. (7) HANNA'S HIDEAWAY might get overlooked here. She ran well when they switched her to dirt and did it against open company. They now go with Saez and face fellow NY fillies. I have to try and beat the other two in this finale.