Saratoga Horse Racing Picks for Friday 7/15/22

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

As always, check the program 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

1. Straw Into Gold and Ruse, Race 7

FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 9/2
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Race 6 is an Allowance Optional Claiming race for state-breds going 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf. The numberFire data projects Straw Into Gold (7/2) to prevail over Ruse (9/2) and Danzigwiththestars (8/1).

A wide open race and Straw Into Gold is off of a two month freshening and in solid form this year with top jockey/trainer combo of Joel Rosario and Christophe Clement, who had a winner and two other horses hit the board on opening day Thursday at The Spa.

Ruse just missed in his last race and is also in solid form. Bar Fourteen (12/1) is controlling speed without a true front runner.

2. Derryane and Empress Tigress, Race 8

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/1 and 6/1
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Race 8 is the Coronation Cup for 3-year-old fillies sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf. The numberFire algorithm projects upsets on the board with Derrynane (5/1) winning ahead of Artos (10/1) and Lady Scarlet (15/1). Derrynane has missed as short favorite her last two races, but cuts back to a better distance.

The favorite Twilight Gleaming (2/1) with leading jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. riding shoots for her fourth win in five starts after having won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in November.

Empress Tigress (6/1) has value from the far outside post in her turf debut; she's bred to handle it. She won her career debut impressively in May at Woodbine with a 104 speed figure.

3.Atone and Mira Mission, Race 9

FanDuel Racing Odds: 6/1 and 7/2
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Race 9 is the Forbidden Apple (G3) for older horses at 1-mile on the inner turf. Art Collector (3/5) will only run if the race is moved to the dirt, and would be one to beat. The numberFire data also likes Mira Mission (7/2) and Atone (6/1), while Set Piece (3/1) on the rail is also a top contender off of his win two races back, but reliant on pace up front.

Mira Mission was in career-best form when last seen in Kentucky this spring. Atone is a son of Into Mischief who was beaten by Set Piece (GB) last race, but finished in front of him and Mira Mission two races back and offers value. Top jockey Flavien Prat rides for EPO trainer Mike Maker. City Man (8/1) is capable of producing a better effort than recent races at a price.