The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets and Fades for Aug. 24 [Video]

Racing analysts Ashley Anderson, Darin Zoccali, and Nick Tammaro discuss their best bets and fades for Travers (G1) weekend at Saratoga and Del Mar. Ashley gives her thoughts in the written portion below. Be sure to check out Darin's and Nick's opinions in our on-camera portion as well!

Best Bet for Weekend Racing

Ashley Anderson:

#2 Sierra Leone (7-2) in the Travers, the 13th race on Saratoga's Saturday card. 

The post-time favorite in four of his last five starts, Sierra Leone is on a three-loss streak at the moment that began with a nose second in the Kentucky Derby (G1) before he placed third to Dornoch in the 1 1/4-mile Belmont (G1) and second by a length to Fierceness in the 1 1/8-mile Jim Dandy (G2). 

Stretching back out to 1 1/4 miles today and breaking from post 2, the same post he broke from in the Kentucky Derby, I expect the $2.3 million yearling purchase to rebound, especially with so much speed signed on. 

Morning-line favorite #7 Dornoch (5-2) and 3-1 choices #1 Thorpedo Anna and #8 Fierceness will all look to get out front early, along with Ohio Derby (G3) victor Batten Down. 

The pace should be hot, and Sierra Leone has the closing kick to rally down the stretch and return to the winner's circle. He posted a 117 Brisnet Late Pace rating last out, and with the added distance, he can get up at the wire in time to win the Midsummer Derby.

Top Fade for Weekend Racing

AA:

#8 Book'em Danno (7-2) in the seven-furlong Allen Jerkens (G1), race 12 at Saratoga. 

The three-year-old gelding is 2-for-2 at today's distance and won his lone start at the Spa, the seven-furlong Woody Stephens (G1) two back before facing non-graded stakes company in the six-furlong Jersey Shore S., which he won by a nose. 

He'll move back up in class for the Allen Jerkens and faces a deep field, including recent Dwyer (G3) romper Domestic Product, who will cut back in distance; Rebel (G2) hero Timberlake, also cutting back to a sprint after racing at route distances; and World Record, who wired the 6 1/2-furlong Amsterdam (G2) by 6 3/4 lengths last out. Also among the mix is Prince of Monaco, the post-time favorite in the Woody Stephens who was bumped at the start and pinched back before rallying to finish a half-length second to Book'em Danno. 

In addition to the morning-line favorite facing tougher today, the Derek Ryan trainee will get a new rider in Javier Castellano, and his outside post may cause him some issues here. I'll fade the lukewarm favorite against a mighty contingent of graded stakes winners here.

What Else Is Worth Noting

AA:

There are a handful of Breeders' Cup Win and You're In challenge series races this weekend, including the Sword Dancer (G1) and Ballerina (G1) at Saratoga, plus the Pat O'Brien (G2) at Del Mar. 

In the latter, multiple graded stakes winner The Chosen Vron will go for his seventh consecutive victory and sixth of the season in the seven-furlong event, which will award automatic entry to the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1). 

The Chosen Vron already punched his ticket to the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) after winning the Bing Crosby (G1) last out by 2 1/4 lengths and will point toward that race, in which he finished fifth last season at Santa Anita. Prior to that loss, The Chosen Vron had built an eight-win streak that began after his fifth in the 2022 Pat O'Brien. He'll try to stay unbeaten here and will reoppose a few rivals from the Bing Crosby — See Through It and Happy Jack — plus Senor Buscador, who finished third in the 2022 Pat O'Brien. 

A decent amount of speed is signed on, and The Chosen Vron is unlikely to have his way from the start. A hot pace could provide the perfect setup for the lone closer, Senor Buscador. The Chosen Vron has dominated in California but Saturday's test will be tough, and his performance here will tell us a lot about his chances in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.