Free Horse Racing Picks and Betting Tips for Saratoga Racecourse – Thursday, July 16, 2020

By J.W. Paine in Horse Racing

Last Updated July 16, 2020 10:12 am PDT

Saratoga Racecourse Picks for Thursday, July 16, 2020

Two stakes races highlight Thursday’s offering at Saratoga Racecourse: The Schuylerville Stakes and the Peter Pan Stakes (both Grade III). Additionally, eight regular maiden, allowance, and claiming races are on the card. The forecast for Saratoga Springs, New York, on Thursday calls for cloudy skies and a 20% chance of rain, with temperatures in the low 80s and winds around 11 mph. While I cover the three richest races here, remember that you can find Saratoga’s complete card, including entries, jockeys, and betting options, at our most trustworthy horse racing betting sites. Today’s Saratoga Racecourse picks and betting tips follow below. Post time for the first race on Thursday is 2:10 PM (EDT).

RACE 3

Post Time: 2:20 PM
Purse: $74,000
Type: ALLOWANCE
Distance: 6 furlongs
Conditions: For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward Which Have Never Won $10,000 Other Than Maiden, Claiming, Starter Or State Bred Allowance Or Which Have Never Won Two Races

Race 3 Runners and Odds Forecast

1 Carrizo, K Carmouche, 6/1
2 Figure of Speech, J Castellano, 3/1
3 Palace Avenger, J L Ortiz, 2/1
4 Glass Ceiling, I Ortiz, Jr., 4/1
5 Palomita, T Gaffalione, 9/5

Race 3 Prediction and Pick

You gotta love a race that features a battle between two top jockeys who also happen to be brothers. Both Irad Ortiz Jr. and Jose Ortiz are riding in this race, and yet I’m going to stick with the 9/5 favorite, Palomita, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione. This four-year-old filly moneyed in three of her four career starts, winning one of them. And Gaffalione is jockey enough to make it happen.

Race 3 Tip

If Irad Ortiz Jr. weren’t in this race, I’d recommend a trifecta of the top three moneyline favorites (5-3-2). But I’m not going to do that. Save your specialty and longshot money for later.

Pick

Palomita

9/5

RACE 8 – Schuylerville Stakes (Grade III)

Post Time: 5:14 PM
Purse: $100,000
Type: STAKES
Distance: 6 furlongs
Conditions: For Fillies Two Years Old

Race 8 Runners and Odds Forecast

1 Make Mischief, J R Velazquez, 12/1
2 Hara, T Gaffalione, 10/1
3 Beautiful Memories, J L Ortiz, 6/5
4 Quinoa Tifah, M Franco, 15/1
5 Sunny Isle Beach, SCRATCHED
6 Queen Arella, J Rosario, 6/1
7 Dayoutoftheoffice, J Alvarado, 15/1
8 Hopeful Princess, R Santana, Jr., 2/1

Race 8 Prediction and Pick

All but one of the entries in this field has a single career start—and a single career win. Add the star-quality jockeys in this race, and you have what I like to call a horse race. That said, I’m going to stick with the 6/5 moneyline favorite—Beautiful Memories, with Jose L. Ortiz aboard.

Race 8 Tip

No long-odds entries in this race I’d care to risk.

Pick

Beautiful Memories

6/5

RACE 9 – Peter Pan Stakes (Grade III)

Post Time: 5:46 PM
Purse: $100,000
Type: STAKES
Distance: 1-1/8 miles
Conditions: For Three Year Olds

Race 9 Runners and Odds Forecast

1 Mo Hawk, J Rosario, 20/1
2 Country Grammer, I Ortiz, Jr., 7/2
3 Modernist, J Alvarado, 7/2
4 Celtic Striker, M Franco, 12/1
5 Candy Tycoon, J R Velazquez, 5/1
6 Mystic Guide, J L Ortiz, 5/2
7 Caracaro, J Castellano, 6/1
8 Chestertown, R Santana, Jr., 10/1
9 Katzarelli, D Davis, 30/1

Race 9 Prediction and Pick

Two “Road to the Kentucky Derby” contenders highlight this stakes race, but only one (Modernist, #7 in Road points) is in the top three moneyline favorites. I’m going with him at 7/2, ridden by Junior Alvarado. This three-year-old colt has moneyed in four of his six career starts, including a third in the Louisiana Derby and a first in the Risen Star Stakes.

Race 9 Tip

At 20/1, I can’t resist at least a show ticket on Mo Hawk, with Joel Rosario in the irons. This three-year-old colt moneyed in three of his four career starts, winning two of them. Might even be worth an across the board.

Pick

Modernist

7/2

And if you’re looking for other wagers to take advantage of, head to our betting previews and picks blog.

J.W. Paine is one of the most experienced writers at GamblingSites.com. He's written for television and the printed media, and is a published novelist (as Tom Elliott).

Paine loves writing about Las Vegas nearly as much he loves living here. An experienced gambler, he's especially familiar with thoroughbred horseracing, poker, blackjack, and slots.