Aaah, summer and Saratoga.

The sights of sleek thoroughbreds guided by jockeys in rainbow splashes of riding silks. The sounds of mouse clicks. The smells of fresh-cut grass and hot pretzels from the vendors. Whoa, horsy! Back up one item. The sounds of mouse clicks? You didn't think the Internet would neglect getting in on the

sport of kings, did you? After all, if people are going to offer human organs for sale via computer, having World Wide Web sites chock full of information on horse racing and handicapping should be a snap. Or a click. Of course, just as with your favorite newspaper or tout sheet horse handicapper, you have to get to know the track record of whatever Web site you visit before you can rely on its information.

That means doing a little homework -- checking information and tips against actual outcomes, finding out which ones offer the freshest info, ascertaining which bits of data you want to get from each since it's unlikely there is any such thing as the perfect all-in-one site for all bettors.

The accompanying box provides some suggestions to get you started. Some of them carry a charge for access beyond very basic information, but some are freebies. One caveat: Don't dismiss a site too quickly because you think you have to pay a fee to make it worthwhile. A number of them offer a lot of recent tout information to show you their track record, and that can be useful.

In addition, some are so anxious to build a mailing list they offer free newsletters and commentary by experts that could be helpful in plotting out your pony trails. Dowd edits the pluggedin@timesunion pages. He does not play the horses.