BetAmerica’s horse racing pick of the day: Aug. 21, Saratoga

Weekday picks and plays for Thoroughbred racing.

Friday, Aug. 21

Saratoga, Race 2: Maiden special weight (1 1/8 miles, 1:44 p.m. ET)

There is hardly any speed in this race, and runners with the ability to set or stalk the pace usually excel over this distance at Saratoga.

So let’s take a chance with the sprinter #1 Tenderfoot (8-1 on the morning line), who will stretch out significantly in distance, after he finished fourth in $40,000, 6-furlong maiden claiming race at Saratoga.

Claimed out of that race by Charlton Baker, Tenderfoot will add blinkers for his first start around two turns, which should sharpen his early speed.

As a son of 1 1/8-mile Donn H. (G1) winner Graydar, out of a mare by Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Invasor, Tenderfoot has the pedigree to stretch out in distance.

A frontrunning, ground-saving trip should be in the offing, so let’s key Tenderfoot in the exacta, with logical favorites #2 Ashiham (8-5) and #5 The Angry Man (9-5).

$7 exacta: 2,5 with 1 ($14)
$3 exacta: 1 with 2,5 ($6)
Total: $20

Good luck!