Dan’s Double of the week, featuring handicapping analysis from America’s Best Racing’s New York correspondent Dan Tordjman, is brought to you by Horseplayers.com, the official online qualifying site of the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) and National Horseplayers Championship (NHC).

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When it comes to making money when handicapping races and betting on horse racing, it’s all about picking winners. Tordjman – DanonymousMan to those who follow him on Twitter – is one of the sharpest horseplayers around.

Each week, Tordjman will provide readers with his two best bets of the weekend and strategies for how to bet them. Good luck!

Saturday, Aug. 29

Saratoga Race Course, Race 3, $100,000 Saranac Stakes, 2:18 p.m. ET

#1 Vanzzy: This horse comes off an authoritative win last out in the Jersey Derby Stakes. After being a bit headstrong early and running up on heels, he eventually settled down and ultimately drew off late from Bye Bye Melvin and Irish Mias, both of whom return in this race. In the Jersey Derby, Vanzzy got the job done from a stalking position just in behind the pacesetters. Here, jockey Joel Rosario will also have the option of sending Vanzzy out for the lead right from the break. This horse has won two stakes on the front end and has shown the ability to rate off the pace when there are other horses who are more committed to getting to the front (as was the case in the Jersey Derby). Vanzzy also possesses the top Equibase Late Pace figure of any horse entered in the Saranac.

Strategy on a $10 Budget 

$2 win, place on #1 Vanzzy ($4)

$1 exacta box: 1,3,4 ($6)

Strategy on a $25 Budget 

$4 win, place, show on #1 Vanzzy ($12)

$2 exacta box: 1,3,4 ($12)

Strategy on a $50 Budget

$10 win, place, show on #1 Vanzzy ($30)

$2 exacta box: 1,3,4 ($12)

$8 exacta 1 with 4 ($8)

Saratoga Race Course, Race 6, 3:57 p.m. ET

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#10 Happymac: They’re all first-time starters in this race with the exception of #7 Regular Guy. When it comes to 2-year-old first-time starters on the dirt at Saratoga over the past three years, no one wins more than trainer Steve Asmussen. He scores at a 25% clip with runners like Happymac and is especially dangerous when his top rider, Ricardo Santana Jr., is aboard (29%). You might’ve guessed from the name, this is a son of Runhappy. His progeny have only produced one win from 18 starts to date. However, Happymac’s dam (mother) has produced several winners sprinting on the dirt, including Shancelot, who won the Grade 2 Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga last year. This colt seems to be training extremely well, too, highlighted by a very strong workout on August 17.

Strategy on a $10 Budget 

$4 exacta 10 with 3,7 ($8)

$1 exacta 3,7 with 10 ($2)

Strategy on a $25 Budget

$10 to win on #10 Happymac ($10)

$5 exacta 10 with 3,7 ($10)

$2 exacta 3,7 with 10 ($4)

Strategy on a $50 Budget

$20 to win on #10 Happymac ($20)

$8 exacta 10 with 3,7 ($16)

$2 exacta 3,7 with 10 ($4)

$.50 trifecta key box 10 with 1,3,7 ($9)

Last Week’s Earnings: $0

2020 Earnings: $4,021.68