Monday's Best Bet: Newstome leads the pack in Tom Ridge

Monday’s 5th race from Presque Isle Downs is the $75,000 Tom Ridge Stakes for 3-year-olds dashing six furlongs on the all-weather surface (Post Time 6:25 p.m. ET).

Click here for Presque Isle Downs Entries, Results

#10 NEWSTOME (5-1) is a dangerous stalker in synthetic sprints. He chased outside and won a local PA-bred stakes last fall, and stalked and easily scored in an all-weather stakes sprint at Woodbine June 13. He did not handle the slop at Belmont last time, but I am not concerned about that. He is a proven stakes winner at this course and distance. 

#3 Guildsman (7-2) has never raced on synthetic but has proven himself in turf sprint stakes. He flashed ability in overseas turf sprints last year, and shipped to this country, missed the break, and rallied strongly for 3rd in the Texas Glitter March 21. He broke slow and finished 3rd again in his next start at Churchill, and chased fast fractions and failed to quicken in the Sir Cat June 19. It probably won’t hurt him if he does not break sharply in this spot. There is pace to chase in the paper race and he should be heard from late if he handles the footing. 

#5 Bango (10-1) is 2-for-2 at this distance and was razor sharp in his lone synthetic attempt in the Animal Kingdom Stakes Match 14. He stalked outside and scored easily in that all-weather stakes affair, and he might be in for a similar journey in this spot. 

#11 Alfie Solomons (6-1) earned strong pace ratings in his sharp dirt sprint win at Keeneland July 10. He graduated in a turf sprint at Kentucky Downs and should make his presence felt throughout. 

#2 So Street (8-1) did not put his best foot forward in his first two turf sprint stakes starts this year. He did have a productive juvenile campaign last year and might show more in his third start after a long layoff. I am expecting a ground saving stalking trip and he is capable of impacting the exotics at a price. 

Wagers: 

#10 to win

Exacta Box 3-10

Trifecta 3-10/2-3-5-10-11/2-3-5-10-11

August 2020 Best Bet Winners

Aug 3 - Peaceful Feeling/Be Nimble Exacta ($43.40), Trifecta ($59.65)
Aug 6 - Thissmytime/Bimini/Time to Two Step Trifecta ($25.85)
Aug 7 - Jackie's Warrior/Therideofalifetime Exacta ($28.80)
Aug 8 - BODHICITTA ($11.20), Quinella ($34.80)
Aug 9 - SPINOFF ($8.40), Exacta ($16.60)

Playing the horses can be a rewarding but tough game. Exacta, trifectas, superfectas, Pick 4s, Pick 5s -- there are so many wagers to play, it can get overly confusing. How do you know how much to play or which wagers to try? Unfortunately, part of the learning process can include losing money. But we would like to help you shortcut that process by learning some of the most common mistakes that horseplayers make on a daily basis. Take a look at Horse Racing Nation’s newest eBook -- “Top 10 Mistakes Horseplayers Make” -- and see if it helps you avoid some common mistakes and win more playing the races!