Saratoga and Del Mar horse racing picks of the day

Saratoga and Del Mar offer an exciting mix of races on Friday. Read below for our picks of the day at both tracks.

Saratoga, Race 3: Albany Stakes (1 1/8 miles, 1:28 p.m. ET)

New York Thoroughbreds shine on Friday at Saratoga, with a full card of maiden, allowance, and stakes races for those bred in the Empire State. The Albany features a field of six sophomore males going 1 1/8 miles on the main.

Though expensive #4 Chestertown (6-5 on the morning line) tends to take money whenever he drops out of graded company, he hasn't hit the winning line since his maiden score last November. His best efforts have come on wet tracks, as well.

Especially with a dry day predicted for Friday, let's stand against Chestertown and with #6 City Man (8-5 on the morning line). His last dirt race was a late-running third going seven furlongs at Belmont Park, but he comes off two good two-turn efforts on grass against open company and now tries two turns on dirt for the first time.

City Man has the tactical speed to handle this outside draw. Jockey Joel Rosario knows him well, and his trainer Christophe Clement has been as good as anyone on the grounds this summer.

Bet: $15 to win on #6

Del Mar, Race 4: $20,000 maiden claiming (5 1/2 furlongs, 6:45 p.m. ET)

It's tough to trust most of the runners in here. #7 Save the Story (3-1) is taking a steep drop in class off a 13 1/2-month break, while many others have had their chances and faltered.

#4 She B Salty (10-1) is an appealing price horse, and not just because she’s the only new face in a low-level maiden claimer. She is the second starter out of her dam Missilette, whose previous runner — a full sister to She B Salty — won her debut going 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt for trainer Mike Puype.

She B Salty is likewise trained by Puype, who can win with a price debuting horses in maiden claimers, as evidenced by his +$0.80 win bet ROI with them over the last three years. It's a bonus that She B Salty’s full sister did so well for Puype on debut.

Bet: $10 to win on #4

Good luck!

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