By Michael Dempsey

National horse racing handicapper Michael Dempsey will attempt to pad his bankroll and yours with his daily column.  He will feature at least one Pick 3 or Pick 4 play from a major track along with coverage of major stakes races, longshots, and  will keep you up to date on what is happening on the circuits he covers. Don't miss Wednesday's report where Michael will keep you up to date with track bias reports for the major circuits.

Today's Featured Race of the Day:

SAR Race 8 Kings Bishop S. G1 (4:55 et)
#1 E Z Warrior   6/1
#3 Hard Spun   3/1
#9 First Defence   6/1
#7 Teuflesberg   7/2

Analysis

#1 E Z Warrior stumbled coming out of the gate and was not a threat last out when returning off a six month layoff in the G1 Bing Crosby. The runner up in the race was Greg's Gold, who came back to win the G2 Pat O'Brien in his next outing at Del Mar on 8/19. Colt was his first three career starts impressively including the San Miguel two back. Has three drills over the main track here. Baffert has won with 2 of 3 starters here since shipping in from the left coast.  $1.2 million purchase still appears to have plenty of upside and perhaps the return to traditional dirt will help this guy bounce back with a better effort.

#3 Hard Spun was a good second last out behind the breakthrough win by Any Given Saturday in the G1 Haskell. Colt survived all three Triple Crown races and still appears to have something left in the tank. Is undefeated around one turn and certainly has enough tactical speed for the cut back here. Not sure the price is going to offer much value for the top spot however.

#9 First Defence went gate to wire to win the Long Branch last out going two turns in NJ. The runner up Get Serious beat Alw-1 foes in his next start on 8/19. Earned a career top Beyer (100) two back going seven furlongs at Belmont in sharp win against Alw-1 foes. Colt cuts back to one turn for his third start of the year for Frankel barn that is 31% winners (with a +ROI) moving runners from route to sprint.

Wager: #1 to win at 7/2 or better. Exacta key of #1,#3 over #1,#3,#7,#9.

Saratoga Late Pick 3

The Play: Starting in R10: $1:  4,6,8 / 1,4 / 3,5,7,13 = $24

SAR Race 10 Victory Ride S. G3 (6:15 et)

#4 Graeme Six, #6 Allude, #8 La Traviata
#4 Graeme Six made a good late rally but was unable to  get to gate to wire Dream Rush, who came back to win the G1 Test in her next outing on 8/4 here. Two back she missed beating Alw-2 foes in a photo to Burmill, who came back to win the G2 Honorable Miss in her next start on 8/2 here. Filly owns a solid pace profile throughout and in good hands with Amoss barn. She has been prepping at Churchill and does not show a published drill over the surface but she has run well on four different surfaces and if she takes to the Spa oval she could be sitting on a career top here. #6 Allude stumbled coming out of the gate and tracked the early pace, finishing a game second behind gate to wire winner #7 Featherbed over a racing strip that was more favorable to inside speed. She comes in here off back to back career tops and is reunited with Pino who was aboard her two back at Del Park. She looks quick enough she should be with the first flight here in this spot.

SAR Race 11 OClm $75,000N1X (6:48 et)

#1 Incriminate / #1a Blue Sky God, #4 Garifine
#1 Incriminate stumbled coming out of the gate and had to take up while in between horses and was never a threat. Was fourth two and three back in graded stakes company in his first two starts against winners. Deserves another look here second off the bench for Harty barn that is 36% winners (with a +ROI) second off the bench. Colt was a $1.5 million purchase and a half to Majorbigtimesheet ($324K) and Value Plus ($414K). Entry mate #1a Blue Sky God made a good late run to finish third, beaten a length for the top spot when coming back off a five month break. Blew out three furlongs in 35.4 on 8/21 and sent out by live barn, bin Suroor 4 for 10 at the meeting. #4 Garfine bobbled coming out of the gate and then was sent up along a dead rail to vie for the early lead, weakening to finish fifth over a main track that was kinder to outside stalkers and closers. $1.8 million Ocala purchase earned a 95 Beyer two back breaking his maiden. Pletcher struggling at the meeting, hitting at a 10% clip. The 6/1 here looks more than fair although final price likely will be lower.

SAR Race 12 Alw $61,000N1X (7:20 et)

#5 Yeah Mon, #3 Makin Me Famous, #13 Alright Now, #7 Zipperoo
#5 Yeah Mon was not much a threat in his local debut while racing four wide much of the trip in fifth place finish in his first go against winners. Broke his maiden two back against $30K maiden claimers at Churchill. Borel sticks for Wilkes barn that went 10-04-3-2 here last year but has been cold here this year going 0 for 9. Colt put in a good breeze over the main track here on 8/20 and expecting to see a better effort here as he takes on NY breds for the second time. Price should be generous. #3 Makin Me Famous was the beaten fav last out, regressing in second place finish, no match for five length winner. Earned solid numbers two and three back, a game second two back in his first go against winners and a sharp maiden winner three back. Gelding owns a solid pace profile throughout and will be tough here if he runs back to the numbers he posted two and three back. Another capable barn looking for their first win at the meet.

Live Longshots

These are price plays to watch today. A small win-place wager is in order or if your pockets are deep enough, use these runners in your trifecta and Pick 3 and Pick 4 wagers. One or two of these could be the difference between a regular day at the track and hitting the IRS window with a signer.

SAR R1: #1 Got the Last laugh   12/1
SAR R3: #11 Hostile Takeover   20/1
SAR R4: #4 El Prado Rob   12/1
SAR R5: #2 Genuine Devotion   12/1
SAR R5: #4 Double Down Dixie   12/1
SAR R6: #10 Forest of Dreams   8/1
SAR R6: #1 The Duke of Stanco / #1a Feastorfamine   10/1
SAR R6: #5 Interest Rate   12/1
SAR R7: #8 Stay Closse   20/1
SAR R7: #12 Gun Salute   12/1
SAR R9: #5 Grasshopper   8/1
SAR R10: #1 Appealing Zophie   10/1
SAR R11: #3 Blackfoot Trail   10/1
SAR R12: #5 yeah Mon   30/1

Good luck padding your bankroll today!
MikeD