Saratoga Horse Racing Picks for Friday 8/19/22

Updated: Sep 10, 5:00pm UTC

Starting at 1:05 p.m. ET, we have 10 races Friday at Saratoga. Using
numberFire’s projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing.

As always, check the program at "The Spa" for scratches and changes, and monitor the weather and track conditions.

(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions).

Saratoga Betting

According to numberFire Racing's projections, these are the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing today.

1. Provision and Ulamalu, Race 6

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 15/1

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Race 6 is a Maiden Special Weight for NY-bred 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf. The numberFire data shows Provision (5/2) and Secretary of War (3/1) as top contenders with Provision on top. They finished second and third, respectively, in a race at this level two weeks ago.

Ulumalu (15/1) offers value and a bit overlooked. He's working well with stronger runners ahead of his debut.

2. Bonny South and First to Act, Race 8

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 6/1

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Race 8 is the $135,000 Summer Colony Stakes for older fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles. Seven runners and Envoutante (3/1), Bonny South (5/2) and Army Wife (7/2) are the top challengers according to the numberFire algorithm.

Army Wife and Bonny South finished third and fourth in a recent Grade 3 race. Bonny South has finished first or second in 8-of-12 races the past two years and all in graded stakes.

First to Act (6/1) makes her stakes debut with leading jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. riding. She started racing at age 4, and has finished first or second in all four starts improving speed figures and strength each race.

3. Appraise and Race 10

FanDuel Racing Odds: 3/1 and 2/1

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Race 10 is the $150,000 Skidmore Stakes for 2-year-olds sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf. Oxymore (9/5) was an impressive debut winner for EPO trainer Chad Brown, who also has Appraise (3/1) in this race as a major challenger off his debut win. No Nay Hudson (4/1) also won his debut impressively but couldn't hold up as the favorite in his stakes debut in June.