Horse Racing picks for Saratoga race track on Thursday, August 4: If you're gonna crown Alpine Queen, then crown her

2:15 pm Saratoga (Race 3) – Played Hard 2/1 (2-star play)

Demonstrated ability at a higher level when finishing on the board in two stakes races late last year including when runner-up in the Grade 3 Comely Stakes over a mile-and-one-eighth at Saratoga. Successful first up this campaign at Churchill Downs and failed by a length to make all in a mile-and-one-sixteenth at the same venue at the end of June. Looks up to registering a victory with Tyler Gaffalione in the saddle for the first time since last October.

2:49 pm Saratoga (Race 4) – Alpine Queen 5/2 (2-star play)

Recorded a win at this level when scoring over a mile at Aqueduct in December last year and has since recorded a number of on the board finishes including when four-and-three-quarter-lengths third over seven furlongs on a muddy Belmont Park track. Joined current trainer Antonio Arriaga following that effort and with the booking of Irad Ortiz taking the eye the filly looks up to delivering a victory here having recorded a solid 50.55 four furlong work here on July 28.

5:05 pm Saratoga (Race 8) – Art Collector 7/5 (2-star play)

Rattled off a hat-trick of stakes wins when taking the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes over a mile-and-one-eighth at Belmont Park at the start of October. Disappointed when only sixth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar subsequently prior to a heavy defeat in the Grade 1 Saudi Cup over a mile-and-one-eighth in Saudi Arabia. Having shown good form in his works recently Bill Mott’s charge is taken to make a winning start to his five-year-old campaign.

Exotic

Race 1 – 1, 3
Race 2 – 2, 4
Race 3 – 3, 4

Stake – $2.00
Total Stake – $16.00