Saratoga Monday: God's Tipster picks 4 races, including Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes, on closing day of meet

Sunday’s Race Recap from Saratoga:

(All odds US)

Race replays from Saratoga can be found here:

Saratoga:

Race 2: 5th@ 1.25/1

Race 3: SCRATCH

Race 7: 1st@ 0.60/1 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

In Race 2, Madam Maclean didn’t have her usual punch in the lane after being shuffled back to last and not aggressively moved early. We scratched out of Race 3. In Race 7, our BEST BET - Classy Edition was an IMPRESSIVE winner on debut stalking the pace and drawing away.

Let’s close the curtain for Saratoga’s final race day of the 2021 meet. There’s a 30% chance of rain as of the writing of these Let’s get started on Monday’s bonus selections!

Labor Day picks for the final day at Saratoga:

Race 2: Belarus - 1 pt win (US Morning Line Odds: 5/2)

New York Bred maidens sprint 5 1/2 furlongs to kick off closing day for us and Belarus is a first time starter from a dangerous, yet still underrated barn with this type of runner. Horacio DePaz wins with 20% of his first time starters and this one’s dam was the precocious type winning in just her second start. This one's a half to one first out winner and one second out winner and the works seem to say this one’s ready. 5/2 looks like good value to me.

Race 6: Ocean Air - 2 pts win - BEST BET (US Morning Line Odds: 3/1)

Claiming race for fillies on the turf and Ocean Air appears to have a class and pace advantage in this start. Hailing from the almighty Christophe Clement barn, Ocean Air pairs up with the meet’s leading rider Luis Saez and drops to the level she broke her maiden at. Although she only has a win to her credit, she’s been running against tougher than these and today looks like the day for her.

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Race 10: Defend - 1 pt win (Us Morning Line Odds: 6/1)

Today’s Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes drew a large field and most of the attention will likely be drawn to the Todd Pletcher runners but Defend ran huge on debut at Delaware Park and might be a little overlooked here. 21% mid-Atlantic trainer who actually wins with 23% of his two-year-olds, Defend attracted the attention of the meet’s leading rider and has had nothing but bullet workouts since that sparkling debut win. With Pulpit breeding on top and City Zip on the dam’s side this one is bred for precociousness and 6/1 looks like strong value here.

Race 11: Atone - 1 pt win (US Morning Line Odds: 8/1)

A tough field lines up for the final race of the meet and Atone is one of a few who have the speed figures to win. Hailing from an 18% barn with top rider Luis Saez aboard, Atone was steadied in his most recent start which was his first start for new connections. This runner has the back class to win here yet he’ll probably be a little overlooked due to his muddied up recent form. A definite play at 8/1.

Best of luck to everyone playing Monday’s closing day card from Saratoga!