BetAmerica’s horse racing pick of the day: Aug. 28, Saratoga

Weekday picks and plays for Thoroughbred racing.

Friday, Aug. 28

Saratoga, Race 9: Lake George (G3, 1 mile, 5:46 p.m. ET)

#1 Sweet Melania (8-5) is a top-class turf miler for high-percentage trainer Todd Pletcher. The daughter of American Pharoah hasn’t missed the trifecta in seven starts, including a game third-place effort in the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1).

She kicked off 2020 with a gate-to-wire score in the June 20 Wonder Again (G3) traveling a mile at Belmont. A speedy frontrunner with the ability to track or press the pace, Sweet Melania holds a significant tactical advantage in the Lake George. With the possible exception of longshot #4 Velvet Crush (20-1), Sweet Melania is the only true speed horse in the field.

After a start from the rail, Sweet Melania should secure an uncontested lead under hot jockey Jose Ortiz and take this field all the way on the front end.

Let’s bet her on top of a cold exacta, with #6 Selflessly (6-1), the winner of the 2019 Miss Grillo (G2) and fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, underneath. Selflessly failed to fire in the Wonder Again, where she finished fifth, but figures to be sharper in her second run of the season for acclaimed turf trainer Chad Brown.

$20 exacta: 1 with 8

Good luck!