Rip's Picks for Saturday, Aug. 25

1 - R HALLOGRAEME missed by nose at 2-5 for Margolis, who has had his charges on exacta tickets in 14-of-24 Monmouth races. Colt has experience edge against Plecther first-time starter LINKIN, who was bought at auction for $400,000. SILK TRIPPI was bred to win early, but raced greenly in debut.
(Top pair could be in photo finish).

2 - ALAAZO is sent down from Saratoga to make debut by red-hot Mott, who goes right to Bravo. AKIN goes grass-to-dirt for second start off claim by Richard Dutrow. READY TO PLAY/HARLEQUIN SKY entry have longshot potential.
($350,000 buy Alaazo gets softer debut than he would at Spa).

3 - EL CHILE DOG makes first start off victory for Levine, who wins 31% of time off claims. BRAZENLY BOLD/VALIDATION entry is main threat. FINNEGAN'S LAD, a $525,000 auction purchase in 2004, adds blinkers and goes grass-to-dirt for leading Philly trainer Vayders. Price play.
(El Chile Dog shortens up off victory at 1 1/16th miles).

4 - BOLD TRUST, a beaten favorite at Saratoga, Churchill Downs and Hollywood, is sent to softer spot at Monmouth by Asmussen. Can't fault TRIPPIN UP's preps for debut. COBRA STRIKE and BERNING BLAZE also have unveiled snappy works.
(Bold Trust is only colt in race with four starts; experience counts).

5 - CHUCKER was scratched Thursday at Saratoga for this spot after winning four of five starts this year. Coupled with SINNERS AND SAINTS, who jets in from coast for Dutrow. STOLEN TIME lost last by nose to top pick. Bravo stays aboard. PIETY has won 4 of 6 this year.
(Chucker's only loss this year came in Grade 3 run).

6 - BRIDAL PATH awoke with blinkers at Saratoga, but must escape also eligibles. WITCH WOMAN is one to beat after outfinishing SHAPIRA. LAST ROMANCE has back class.
(Bridal Path has been in exacta in 15-of-29 on turf, but would be price play here).

7 - TRYING BRIAN missed by neck at 3-5 going grass-back-to-dirt. TRIPPI APPEAL is working quickly after being freshened. BOSS ZACH came on again to miss by half in first race since Dec.
(Trying Brian's workouts had zip).

8 - GREENERY, in the money in 7 of 8 races, has proven she can get 1 3/8-mile distance for Clement (58% winners). TAP GOLD becomes one to beat if races comes off turf which happened yesterday. BRANTLEY has to be caught. IN RETURN drops from Grade 3 run; 3-for-5 at Shore.
(Tough to bet against Clement and Greenery, but there are price plays in here).

9 - INDIA gets the rail, Bravo and Monmouth's speed bias. HYSTERICALADY ships in from coast; won a Grade 1 race last time on main track. MAURALANKANA adds blinkers after fanning three wide.
(India has race over track morning-line favorite Hystericalady lacks).