BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,238.63

I like to provide whatever advice I can to aspiring writers and content creators, and I’ll use this space for a lesson on what not to do.

This weekend, a writer named Frank Schuengel copy-pasted a tweet posted by Dustin Gouker, a prominent voice in the iGaming and prediction market spaces (and, coincidentally, one of the people who hired me back into the gambling industry several years after I thought I was done as a full-timer), and reposted it on LinkedIn as his own work. There was no attribution.

Dustin caught him, and rather than own up to plagiarism, Frank doubled down. This made a bad situation even worse, because much like the acclaimed group the Wu-Tang Clan, Dustin is nothing to…mess with (you’re welcome, editors).

Kids, don’t do what Frank did. Plagiarism is among the biggest cardinal sins in the game. Write your own stuff. If someone else has a good idea, and you use it in part, give them credit.

(On a similar note, don’t copy-paste from AI platforms, either. Write your own stuff, and use AI to proofread it. In addition to being far more ethical, that’ll make you a better writer, too.)

SATURDAY’S RESULTS: Damon’s Mound got the exact trip I hoped he’d get in the Vanderbilt but was no match for Built. I dropped $39.

SUNDAY’S PLAY: On a day where I don’t have too many strong opinions, I’ll zero in on the sixth, where we may get a bit of a price on #2 MAJESTIC MOONLIGHT. I’ll have a $20 win bet on that one, and I’ll also play a small $1 Pick Three ticket starting there that goes as follows: 2 with 2,3,4,7,10,11 with 6.

TOTAL WAGERED: $26.

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SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Majestic Moonlight, Race 6
Longshot: Tarantino, Race 9

R1

Arequipe (AE)
Bunyan (AE)
High Official

#9 AREQUIPE (10-1): Needs a scratch to draw in and may be a price, but is definitely worth a look. He ran fine in his debut going short at Gulfstream, but everything about his pedigree says he’ll improve with distance, and being by Candy Ride, he’ll have every right to appreciate the lawn; #10 BUNYAN (9/2): Is bred up and down for the turf and boasts several strong workouts north of the border at Woodbine. Like my top pick, he’s on the AE list and needs some help, but this certainly feels like the spot he’s bred to want; #4 HIGH OFFICIAL (7/2): Would be a tepid top pick if there are no scratches in the main body of the field. He’s one of seven first-time starters in that eight-horse group, and Todd Pletcher debuting horses on turf isn’t usually something I love, but dam Sweet Melania was an excellent turf router and sire Not This Time’s foals can run on anything.

R2

Mischievous M (MTO)
Shefflin
Vacation Dance

#6 SHEFFLIN (3-1): Is one of two for trainer Mike Maker, and we haven’t seen him since October. However, he’s been working very, very well both here and at Turfway Park, and his lone prior outing at this route was a win at a similar level last August beneath Flavien Prat, who rides back; #4 VACATION DANCE (9/2): Goes first off the claim for Orlando Noda, who’s already won a few races at this stand. He’s a deep, deep closer, and he may need quite a bit to go right, but he’s shown an affinity for the Spa and has back races good enough to win this; #5 SON OF A BIRCH (5/2): Has some back class and may go favored, but I have some doubts. He hasn’t found the winner’s circle in a long, long time, and while he generally runs well enough to pick up a check, he also seems to have a habit of finding trouble. At his likely price, I’ll take a mild stand against him.

R3

Don’t Be Salty
Katie King
Beira

#2 DON’T BE SALTY (3-1): Has some tactical speed and was a close-up second in a similar spot at Churchill last time out. Irad Ortiz, Jr., has ridden her well in each of her last two outings, including a sharp five-length score in May, and it seems like she’s finding her form midway through her 4-year-old season; #7 KATIE KING (8-1): Has taken steps forward for a barn that means business when it ships in from Finger Lakes. She steps up in class but has won two in a row, and she’s another I’m expecting to be forward early on; #1 BEIRA (4-1): Has run some nice races going a bit shorter and goes out for a barn that’s enjoyed a very strong start to the meet. The question is, does she really want to go two turns? This trip is a complete unknown, and I’m hesitant to take a fairly short price on her because of that.

R4

Emirates Road
Fort Nelson
Castle Chaos

#3 EMIRATES ROAD (5/2): Ran second in a similar spot downstate first off the claim by Mike Maker, and that day’s winner sat an absolutely perfect trip. His lone start here was a victory, and while the quirky Wilson chute doesn’t agree with all horses (or all handicappers…), he’s run well enough going two turns in the past to where I don’t think it’ll bother him; #2 FORT NELSON (7/2): Drops in class for aggressive connections off of an absolute clunker going seven furlongs. He didn’t sit his desired trip on or near the lead that day, though, and he could be the controlling speed in here. Given the inside draw and the tendencies of the route, that makes him dangerous; #7 CASTLE CHAOS (8-1): Doesn’t draw too well in here, but he’s got plenty of back races that would make him a player. He won at a similar level two back in the slop, and while he’s 0-for-7 at Saratoga, many of those races have come against much better competition.

R5

Lady Rose (MTO)
She Takes Cash
Tongue Twister

#1 SHE TAKES CASH (4-1): Goes second off the bench here and ran a solid third at this level on closing day at Aqueduct. I don’t love the 0-for-9 record on turf, but her last try was the only one on her sheet against state-breds, and perhaps she’s got a right to improve being a bit more fit here; #5 TONGUE TWISTER (6-1): Hasn’t won since early-2025, but the blinkers go back on and she figures to be prominent early. In a wide-open event like this, especially on the inner turf, early positioning matters, and this one could be in an ideal spot if she gets comfortable; #3 FEDUPWITHTHEFED (12-1): Ran for the first time in more than a year back in May and wasn’t terrible. She stretches out to two turns and does so after a series of sharp drills downstate. Given her relative inexperience, perhaps we haven’t seen the best of her yet.

R6

Majestic Moonlight
Samartina
Beside You

#2 MAJESTIC MOONLIGHT (6-1): Was tough to handle last time out and rated in a race with very little speed to run down. I think there will be a much more friendly setup here, which should allow her to show her best form beneath new rider Irad Ortiz, Jr.; #7 SAMARTINA (7/2): Was a close-up second from start to finish last time in what was easily the best race she’s run stateside. She figures to be on or near the lead, but note that Prat goes elsewhere after the last-out effort, which could be a red flag; #5 BESIDE YOU (12-1): Goes second off the layoff and adds blinkers for a sneaky barn that can pop at a price. She was wide last time, but still finished fourth in the race my second choice exits and may be eligible to move forward while providing some value.

R7

Golden Symphony
Art Fair
South Bend Tom

#4 GOLDEN SYMPHONY (6-1): Just missed at this level and distance last time out and does his best running at this seven-furlong trip. Three of his four career wins have come going seven panels, and unlike several others, he doesn’t need the lead in order to run well. He’s a candidate for an ideal “stalk and pounce” trip in a wide-open start to the late Pick Four; #10 ART FAIR (8-1): Comes in off of two wins in a row and figures to be part of a hot pace. This barn is enjoying a very strong summer to this point, and speed rider Kendrick Carmouche will give him every chance on the engine. Of the likely speed horses, this is the one I’d recommend; #7 SOUTH BEND TOM (9/2): Isn’t the most consistent sort, but he ran well enough to win last time out before being caught in the final strides. This barn means business when it sends a runner in from Kentucky, and he should certainly get pace to chase.

R8

Grand Job
Haulin Ice
Striker Has Dial

#6 GRAND JOB (1/2): Is the most likely winner on the card and will be bet accordingly in the Grade 2 Honorable Miss. She set a ridiculous pace last time out before being nailed at the wire for the second straight time, but this seems like a softer spot than either of those two events, and I don’t think she gets challenged; #4 HAULIN ICE (4-1): Is a dream to own and campaign, with 12 wins in 23 starts and earnings of more than $1.2 million. She’s run races that wouldn’t make her impossible if the chalk doesn’t show up, but even with the stumble at the gate, she should’ve manhandled the field she faced last time at Delaware and couldn’t get it done; #3 STRIKER HAS DIAL (10-1): Has won two listed stakes in a row and was fifth in this event last year. Graded company has been beyond her scope so far, but she’s run well here in the past and could sit an ideal stalking trip at a price.

R9

Senior Officer
Tarantino
Bring the Smoke

#4 SENIOR OFFICER (9/5): Hasn’t run a bad one, with three wins and two seconds in five starts to date, and he ran very fast to take an optional claimer here lat time out. I’m a bit surprised he isn’t trying stakes company off of that effort, but if he’s the same horse he was that day, he’ll be a formidable favorite; #3 TARANTINO (15-1): Clearly didn’t like the Wilson chute last time out, when he set a fast pace and folded in a race that collapsed up front. He cut back to an elongated sprint here, and I think that’s his best game. His two-back win at Churchill was good, and that form would make him competitive at what could be a big price; #2 BRING THE SMOKE (8-1): Is a candidate to pick up the pieces late if the race falls apart. He’s won two in a row for Whit Beckman and could still have room to move forward. If he does, he’ll be heard from late.

R10

Whitethorn
American Debutante
Mary Lois

#7 WHITETHORN (2-1): Adds blinkers in the Sunday nightcap and is the one to beat after several near-misses. Perhaps she’s approaching “now or never” territory after five seconds and a third in six starts, but her two-back effort at Keeneland closing into a race with a slow pace was genuinely impressive, and I think today’s graduation day; #2 AMERICAN DEBUTANTE (8-1): Has a nightmare trip last time out when she was very, very wide, so I have no problem drawing a line through it. Her races prior to that were fine, including one third-place finish here last year and another third at Aqueduct going this 11-furlong distance; #9 MARY LOIS (6-1): Runs for powerhouse connections and will look to atone for a clunker as a 1/2 favorite last time out. She’s bred to want this marathon trip, and Prat sees fit to ride back, but she also may come down off of that morning line price solely because of the trainer/jockey combination, and that may mean she loses value from a betting standpoint.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,277.63

I liked Chase Sessoms, better known in podcast circles as “The Wolf of Oaklawn,” from the moment I met him. He doesn’t take himself seriously, but he took his work with “The Notorious OTB” and all-time good guy Barry Spears very seriously, and it was one of my favorite shows to listen to and go on before it wrapped up late last year.

Chase is making his maiden voyage to Saratoga Saturday alongside fellow “On the Wrong Lead” contributor Mark Kapitan (yet another good guy!). While I can’t promise Chase will be riding in on the whale/jet-ski hybrid he christened Sham-Doo and made the star of several social media campaigns, I’m hoping his entrance is appropriately loud and filled with the right amount of pomp and circumstance.

Enjoy the trip, buddy. One tip: Make sure you drink the Big Red Spring water and have Mark film the experience. You won’t want to forget it.

FRIDAY’S RESULTS: Neither of my key horses in the fifth race were anywhere close, and I dropped $24.

SATURDAY’S PLAY: My action goes through #1 DAMON’S MOUND in the ninth, the Grade 2 A.G. Vanderbilt. In addition to a $25 win bet on that one, I’ll have a 50-cent Pick Four starting in the sixth that goes as follows: 1,8 with 4,9 with 1,3,4,6,8,9,12 with 1.

TOTAL WAGERED: $39.

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SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Damon’s Mound, Race 9
Longshot: Tuthilltown, Race 11

R1

Badittude
Elevated
Intraosseous

#9 BADITTUDE (9/2): Draws well in her debut, which comes in what looks like a loaded lid-lifter. This daughter of Uncle Mo sold for $425,000 at Keeneland last year, boasts several eye-catching works for trainer Todd Pletcher, and attracts Irad Ortiz, Jr., when that rider likely had several appealing options; #7 ELEVATED (2-1): Will take money for several reasons. She’s a daughter of Flightline who sold for $600,000 across the street last summer, and she’s owned by Myracehorse, whose microshare holders will likely be out in force. However, while her works are strong and she could eventually be a very good one, this isn’t a barn known for first-out success; #5 INTRAOSSEOUS (8-1): Has an experience edge over most of these and rallied to be third in her debut last month at Churchill. This seems like a tougher spot, but she’s got potential to improve at second asking and likely learned a lot first time out.

R2

A. P. Slingshot
Power of Women
Lady Wisdom

#2 A. P. SLINGSHOT (7/2): Looks like one of the few closers in a race full of early speed. She’s been consistent this year, with seven top-three finishes in as many starts and a pair of victories. The faster they go early on, the better this one’s chances figure to be; #3 POWER OF WOMEN (5/2): Romped by 10 lengths downstate before being claimed by a barn that’s enjoyed plenty of success so far this summer. This feels like a tougher spot, and she’s unlikely to sit such a perfect trip twice in a row, but of the potential speed horses, this is the one I like most; #1 LADY WISDOM (5-1): Has won two of three starts while showing some early speed, and that running style could make the inside draw an asset. She goes up the class ladder, but it’s encouraging that this barn doesn’t want to lose her first off the claim.

R3

Ferrum
Grand Yaupon
Backlash

#3 FERRUM (9/2): Is a tepid top pick in another loaded 2-year-old maiden race that could go a number of different directions. However, he sold for $550,000 last year and is bred to be a very good sprinter. This son of Uncle Mo is out of a stakes-winning sprinter whose three prior foals to race are all winners, and his works are very, very fast; #9 GRAND YAUPON (3-1): May improve second time out for Steve Asmussen, whose debuting runners sometimes need a race to get going. The sharp two-back drill, followed by a maintenance move, is a pattern I love to see from this outfit, and it helps that the third-place finisher from his initial outing has come back to win; #7 BACKLASH (8-1): Hammered for $900,000 at Keeneland and is one of two high-priced Todd Pletcher trainees debuting here. His three-back work looks exceptional, and this son of Gun Runner is out of a mare who was stakes-placed as a 2-year-old.

R4

Who’s Your Zaddy (MTO)
Honoree
Naguile

#3 HONOREE (5/2): Was probably just left with too much to do last time out in his first try against winners. Irad rides back, having gotten to know him a bit last time, and there once again appears to be some speed to set up for his ability to run on late; #9 NAGUILE (6-1): Exits the same race as my top pick and set a solid pace before fading. He’s still pretty inexperienced and may carry some room to improve, and the jockey switch to Prat is a pretty big one; #5 INSPEIGHTOFCHARLIE (7/2): Wound up wide last time out and was a one-paced fifth, but his efforts two and three back were quite good. Jose Ortiz hops aboard for a barn that he doesn’t usually ride for, which is intriguing, and he’s got back races that would absolutely make him a player in here.

R5

Minorinconvenience (MTO)
Go Grey
King’s Remark

#5 GO GREY (8-1): Gets a mild nod in a wide-open turf race where I’d advise you to go as deep as you can. He pressed a hot pace against better horses in the Saranac last time out. Prior to that, he won two in a row running with Lasix, which he didn’t run with a few weeks ago and gets again here; #6 KING’S REMARK (9/2): Was an impressive first-out winner and took an aggressive jump in class to face stakes foes. He didn’t run badly when third in the Jersey Derby at Monmouth, and he didn’t have the best of trips that day. He’s another carrying several logical reasons to expect improvement; #7 CHICKEN DANCE (15-1): Is worth a look at a pretty big price coming back to what hits me as his preferred surface. He got pretty good in Florida this past spring, and while the last-out clunker isn’t ideal, I can’t hold an off-the-turf race against him. This is a strong spot for the level, and this barn hasn’t heated up yet here, but 15-1 hits me as too big a price.

R6

Emerging Market
Dreamlike
Wynstock

#8 EMERGING MARKET (8/5): Runs against older company after contesting two Triple Crown races where he finished in the middle of the pack. The winner of this year’s Grade 2 Louisiana Derby may still have a very bright future, and this seems like an ideal spot for a confidence-builder; #1 DREAMLIKE (7/2): Always seems to run the same race every time out, and that’s been good for quite a few big checks. He’s made almost $700,000 despite just three wins in 23 starts, and while he certainly seems camera-shy, his usual effort likely gets him a piece of this; #2 WYNSTOCK (5-1): Comes back to the optional claiming ranks after two failed tries against stakes foes. This means he gets to run with Lasix, and he’s shown he’s a faster horse with it. The question is, can he bring his best form to Saratoga, where he’s 0-for-4 with zero top-three finishes?

R7

Egyptian (MTO)
Jack’s World
Oat Coutour

#4 JACK’S WORLD (3-1): Was last of 12 early on in his most recent start but rallied to finish within three lengths of a good-looking winner. There’s quite a bit of early speed signed on, which should help him, and the rider switch to Prat is a positive one; #9 OAT COUTOUR (7/2): Was second last time out in a similar spot downstate and didn’t run poorly two back here during Belmont week, when he was fourth despite being very wide turning for home. He’s another that will do his best running late, and while he hasn’t won in a while, he’s run pretty well a few times of late; #11 NEWLYN (8-1): Is cross-entered in a stakes race Friday and would need to both bypass that event and get a scratch from the main body of the field to run here. However, if she does, she’d go second off the bench for George Weaver and get Lasix for the first time, so there would be some reason for enthusiasm.

R8

Pashmina (MTO)
Bella Knows
Bourbon Betty

#9 BELLA KNOWS  (4-1): Goes second off the bench for powerhouse connections and looks logical based on both her ability and the likely race shape. There’s speed signed on, and she ran on well to be second last time out in her first try since November. Irad taking the call is another big plus; #1 BOURBON BETTY (8-1): Merits a look at a bit of a price and looks like the speed of the speed. Maybe she’ll need to work to get to the front, but the inside draw is definitely an advantage and she held on well to be third after setting a very legitimate pace on the Fourth of July; #12 KOKOMOTION (3-1): Showed ability earlier this year in Florida and fits on speed figures, but the far-outside draw is an absolute killer. On talent, she fits in this spot, and I’d like her quite a bit with a better post, but she may get hung out very, very wide going into the first turn, and that usually isn’t a winning trip.

R9

Damon’s Mound
Built
T Kraft

#1 DAMON’S MOUND (4-1): Has gotten very good of late, winning four of his last five starts. For a high-level sprint, the Grade 2 A.G. Vanderbilt didn’t come up with a lot of early speed. That means this one may be the one they have to catch, and given his recent form, that could prove very difficult to do; #8 BUILT (8/5): May be a pretty heavy favorite, and he wouldn’t be overly shocking, but I have some doubts. It sure seems like he’s faster on Lasix, which he doesn’t get here. He ran well to be second in the Grade 3 Bango last time, but he may need to improve off of that effort to win this, and that’s no cinch; #7 T KRAFT (8-1): Is fascinating, because he comes in off of a total dud against a weaker group for a barn that usually doesn’t take shots like this. His two-back win was very good, Flavien Prat hops aboard, and at a minimum, we’ll get a price on connections that don’t usually offer this much value.

R10

Always a Runner
Zany
Counting Stars

#6 ALWAYS A RUNNER (9/5): Won the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks in just her third career start and may have moved a bit too soon when second in the Grade 1 Acorn. There’s some speed in here, which helps her, and if she’s ridden a bit more patiently in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks, her move could be the winning one; #8 ZANY (9/2): Didn’t run well in the Oaks and comes back with blinkers, which is an interesting move. She’s shown some speed in a few of her prior outings, and her two-back work here was very fast. If she’s back to her winter form, she could run a big one here; #1 COUNTING STARS (2-1): Is logical if you think she still has more room to improve off of her smashing score in the Acorn. However, I don’t think she had much of an excuse two back in the Oaks, and while she ran some nice races at Oaklawn, the Acorn hits me as an outlier. She could still be improving, but she could also be a candidate to bounce.

R11

Daniella Marie (MTO)
Tuthilltown
Dancingwithdestiny

#3 TUTHILLTOWN (12-1): Is worth a look at a price. Her two turf races are probably the best ones on her sheet, and the last-out win looks better now that the runner-up came back to win the Thursday finale. This barn doesn’t have many horses, but hits at a high percentage and can move new acquisitions forward, so I’ll gladly take a swing at or near the morning line price; #7 DANCINGWITHDESTINY (4-1): Was second behind a next-out winner on closing day at Aqueduct and has shown plenty of early speed. She should be forwardly-placed again here, and if she’s the one they have to catch turning for home, she could get brave; #4 MOONLIGHT READY (9/2): Lit up the tote board as a 37-1 winner in her first try since February of 2025. This is a significant class jump, but John Velazquez sees fit to ride for a barn that’s proven to be very capable over the years. It’s possible she’s sitting on a move forward in her second try off the layoff.

R12

Lobbyist
Beau Cheval (AE)
Followill

#5 LOBBYIST (3-1): Comes back to the maiden claiming ranks, and that’s probably the right level. He didn’t have it easy against straight maidens last time, where he rated behind a pretty slow pace and never made up ground. Many in here have stamina questions, so I want a closer on top, and this one makes sense; #12 BEAU CHEVAL (6-1): Needs two scratches to draw in but merits respect if he does. He goes first off the claim for Joe Sharp, and he may not need to move forward too much from a decent second last time out in order to factor in this one; #3 FOLLOWILL (15-1): Ran OK in his debut last year before going to the sidelines for almost 10 months, and he showed speed in his comeback race against higher-level foes. If he gets back to the first-out form, which seems possible given the recent bullet drill over the training track, I think he can factor here at a price.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,301.63

I enjoy using this space for an occasional history lesson, and a good opportunity for one pops up here. Friday’s feature is named in honor of Shuvee, one of America’s all-time great race mares.

Shuvee won what was then known as the Triple Tiara in 1969 when she swept the Acorn, the Mother Goose, and the Coaching Club American Oaks. She stuck around for full campaigns at four and five, and she earned victories over boys in the 1970 and 1971 renewals of the Jockey Club Gold Cup. In those days, that was the biggest race for older horses, and it was contested at two miles.

Shuvee was inducted into racing’s Hall of Fame in 1975. When The Blood-Horse compiled its list of the top 100 thoroughbreds of the 20th century, they put her in 70th. Given her accomplishments, I’d argue she should’ve been higher.

THURSDAY’S RESULTS: The underneath horses in my third-race exacta play ran 1-2, and I dropped $24.

FRIDAY’S PLAY: Once again, my strongest opinion is in the finale, and once again, I can’t keep my editors waiting for my content. Unfortunately, the first half of the card hits me as very, very chalky. I’ll focus on the fifth, where I’ll use #7 SPORTS HERO and #11 TEDDER on top of $4 exactas that use those two, #1 SALMING, and #10 SWAGING underneath.

TOTAL WAGERED: $24.

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SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Best Bet: War and Majesty, Race 10
Longshot: Bolt Island, Race 2

R1

Two by Two by Two
Hanna’s Hideaway
Oath

#7 TWO BY TWO BY TWO (9/5): Is a logical favorite in the Friday opener coming back to her preferred surface second off the bench for powerhouse connections. Her best race came over this dirt course last summer, when she was third behind two next-out winners for a much higher claiming price than this $20,000 tag; #3 HANNA’S HIDEAWAY (8-1): Seems to find trouble but did improve last time out, running third in a race where the runner-up came back to graduate. That was over a sloppy track, which makes for a few undesirable variables, but it’s also possible she’s improving; #8 OATH (3-1): Showed speed in a pair of Kentucky outings this past spring and makes her local debut for Linda Rice, who’s won plenty of races with horses coming from that circuit. There are some stamina questions, but she certainly looks like the one they’ll have to catch.

R2

Just Peachy
Bolt Island (AE)
Conflict

#7 JUST PEACHY (5/2): Ran well in her debut, where she was second despite some contact out of the gate. This barn’s runners tend to improve considerably with experience, and she’s kin to multiple graded stakes-winning turf router Buchu, which hints that two turns should be right up her street; #9 BOLT ISLAND (12-1): Needs a scratch to draw in but is worth a look at a price if she gets to run. Being by Bolt d’Oro and out of a Scat Daddy mare, she’s got every right to love the lawn, and her works for high-percentage trainer Mark Casse look quite sharp; #3 CONFLICT (4-1): Sold for $300,000 across the street last year and is another with turf on both sides of her pedigree. Her dam, though, is a half-sister to sharp sprinter Kirby’s Penny, and sire Golden Pal never went long. Perhaps, though, she’ll be talented enough to pass this two-turn test.

R3

My Gun’s Loaded
Nycon
Bow Draw

#6 MY GUN’S LOADED (4/5): Came back running off the bench when she smashed a field of maidens here last month. That day’s runner-up won next time out, and while the distance and class tests are both quite stiff, anything close to her last-out speed figure likely means the race is for second; #3 NYCON (5-1): Earned minor awards in several races on the road to the Kentucky Oaks, draws well in this spot, and gets Lasix for the first time. The rider switch to Tyler Gaffalione is a big one, and her tactical speed may put her in a great spot; #8 BOW DRAW (8-1): Was a “they knew” horse earlier in the met, when she jogged by nine lengths at this route against a weaker group after being bet down to 6/5. This is a step up the ladder, and the post position isn’t ideal, but Jose Ortiz sees fit to ride back when he likely had a few options.

R4

Glen Airy
Neon Bordeaux
Get a Job

#1 GLEN AIRY (5/2): Adds blinkers and drops in class for this second straight race out of the Wilson chute. He’s run well against much better groups in the past, and it’s tough to go against inside-drawn speed at this quirky route; #8 NEON BORDEAUX (9/2): May have been my top pick if not for the outside draw. He’s 3-for-5 at this distance, and he was going very well not too long ago. Flavien Prat has the mount, and if anyone can work out a successful trip from out there, it’s probably him; #3 GET A JOB (8-1): Hasn’t run since October but is 2-for-3 at this route, one some horses just seem to take to. This barn has gotten off to a chilly start to the meet, but this gelding has some back races that make him a contender and he may offer some value.

R5

Sports Hero
Tedder
Swaging

#7 SPORTS HERO (6-1): Comes back to dirt after a one-paced fifth for double this claiming price last time out, and that day’s winner has since won again. There’s a lot of speed in this one and very little apparent stamina. I want a closer that can pick up the pieces, and he’s shown an ability to pass others late; #11 TEDDER (9/2): Takes a big drop in class for a barn that doesn’t usually do this, which is a question mark. However, he goes second off the bench and is another that will want to do his best running in the later stages of the race. Getting back to his late-2025 form would make him formidable; #10 SWAGING (7/2): Graduated two back and was probably just in too deep last time out against optional claiming foes. The drop makes sense, and he’s got the speed figures I like to see, but they’ll likely be going very fast early on, and that could take some of the starch out of a runner that will take plenty of betting money.

R6

Quartz Mountain
Without Hesitation (AE)
Girls Wear Pearls

#4 QUARTZ MOUNTAIN (7/2): Sold for $450,000 at Keeneland last fall and has every right to be special. This dam’s three prior foals to race are all winners, and second dam Tap Your Heels is best known as the dam of Tapit. The fast works are good to see, and while she’s not a huge price, the morning line odds hit me as an overlay; #13 WITHOUT HESITATION (2-1): Is another for Wesley Ward, and she’ll need several scratches to draw in. However, she put forth an excellent drill at the OBS sale and sold for $2.3 million. She’s bred to be precocious, being out of 2-year-old stakes winner Brazen Persuasion, and if she’s able to run, I have to include her; #9 GIRLS WEAR PEARLS (9/2): Has an experience edge in here and was an OK third in her debut a few weeks ago. This barn’s first-time starters usually need a race to get going, and she had some trouble that day. Prat rides back, and if she takes a logical step forward, she could be right there.

R7

Higher Force (MTO)
Nonna Lynne
Mommy’s Turn

#4 NONNA LYNNE (4-1): Ran fine in her comeback race downstate, when she was second behind a runaway winner in her first try since November. She’s never been out of the exacta in three local starts, and while she may be the less-fancied Chad Brown runner, she’s the one I want on top, slightly edging…; #8 MOMMY’S TURN (3-1): …who set a modest pace in that same race before fading to finish fourth of five. Yes, she could’ve needed that race, and her effort here two back in the Suzie O’Cain was very good, but she certainly needs to move forward here, and I’m just not inclined to take too short of a price on her; #5 STARSHIP PEGASUS (7/2): Came back running on closing day at Aqueduct, when she cleared her first-level allowance condition. I don’t think she beat a ton that day, but she looked solid doing it, and her early speed could put her in a great spot going into the first turn.

R8

Fully Subscribed
Bless the Broken
Scottish Lassie

#3 FULLY SUBSCRIBED (2-1): Dead-heated for second in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps with another runner that shows up in the Grade 2 Shuvee, and she gets a tepid nod. This is her third start off the layoff, and that’s when she got pretty good late last year. If a similar form cycle is present here, she’ll be tough; #5 BLESS THE BROKEN (7/2): Always seems to run the same race and pressed a legitimate pace last time. There’s no shame in chasing Nitrogen, and she’s got every right to run well here. It’s fair to wonder whether or not she’s a “win” type, as her lone dirt win since her 2-year-old season came with Lasix over a suspect group, but she generally doesn’t misfire, either; #4 SCOTTISH LASSIE (9/5): May very well go favored here, and when she’s good, she’s very good. However, there is some other early speed in here, and that could make things harder for her. If she gets her dream trip, she’s shown she can capitalize on it, but I’m not sure just how likely that scenario is in this spot.

R9

Max Money (MTO)
A Little At First
Caroline St. Beat

#6 A LITTLE AT FIRST (2-1): Ran very well to top first-level allowance foes last time out and goes up in class for the Rick Violette. She’ll have to run without Lasix, which may have moved her up a bit, but she goes out for a hot barn, gets a huge rider switch to Irad Ortiz, Jr., and may still have room to improve; #7 CAROLINE ST. BEAT (3-1): Hasn’t run since November but showed talent before going to the sidelines. She won first time out at this route and was a close-up second in a stakes race (edging a third-place finisher that won at next asking). If she’s ready to go off the long break, she’ll have every chance; #3 NEWLYN (10-1): Races second off the bench for George Weaver and didn’t run terribly when fourth in her first try since November. She’s got some tactical speed and can sit close to what looks like a legitimate pace before getting first run.

R10

War and Majesty
Battle (MTO)
Gold Sovereign

#9 WAR AND MAJESTY (6-1): Sure looks like the only horse that will want to be forward in the Friday finale, a three-turn marathon on the inner turf. He was a decent second contesting a legitimate pace last time out at Churchill. If he’s able to set a slower pace beneath Luis Saez, I think he’ll make every pole a winning one; #4 GOLD SOVEREIGN (4-1): Ran well to earn minor awards two and three back, and one of those races was at a similar marathon distance to this route. The last-out clunker was disappointing, but Flavien rides back for Chad Brown, and while he may need some pace to run at, he’s also not totally devoid of tactical speed, either; #1 LAHAINALUNA (8-1): Exits the same race as my top pick and made a move to finish fourth that day. Blinkers go on this Joe Sharp trainee, which may mean he’s got less work to do when the real running starts.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,325.63

There are no two ways around it: Hawthorne Race Course closing stinks.

This news, while expected by many, is devastating. It’s the death knell for the Chicagoland racing circuit, which was, at one point, one of the biggest in the country. Alas, Sportsman’s Park closed after the 2002 season, Arlington Park inexplicably followed suit in 2021, and now Hawthorne is set to be buried alongside them.

Many people who work at that venue genuinely care about the future of this industry, one that can’t afford to lose passionate people but that, somehow simultaneously, is struggling to make room for ones abandoned by their tracks closing up shop. It’s a heartbreaking time, and speaking as someone in northern California whose racing circuit was the victim of cold-hearted murder, I get it more than most.

To tracks out there still surviving: Make room for these people and bring as many of them on board as you can.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS: Sunday was a fun day, in more ways than one. In addition to seeing Matthew DeSantis and Megan Burgess chug Big Red Spring water on national television, I saw Silvology somehow get sent away at odds of 5-1. That was a gift, and $41 worth of profitable win, double, and Pick Three tickets (after scratches) returned $408.63.

THURSDAY’S PLAY: If I could, I would lean on #3 MIDTOWN MISCHIEF in the ninth. However, that may be too late for my editors, and I won’t put them in that spot. Instead, I’ll focus on the third, where I’ll key #7 MR SKYLIGHT and #9 HEY TOBY on top of $4 exactas that use those two, #1 NORMANDY COAST, and #3 NORWICH underneath.

TOTAL WAGERED: $24.

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SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Midtown Mischief, Race 9
Longshot: Mr Skylight, Race 3

R1

Authentic Beauty
Bounding Along
Run On States

#9 AUTHENTIC BEAUTY (3-1): Cuts back in distance and drops in class a bit for a wide-open Thursday lid-lifter. Her last-out effort at Churchill wasn’t bad, and the outside draw should give Junior Alvarado plenty of options; #3 BOUNDING ALONG (7/2): Nearly got there in her debut, which came against New York-breds downstate. This is against open company, so it’s a tougher spot, but she’s certainly eligible to move forward at second asking with Flavien Prat back aboard; #6 RUN ON STATES (5-1): Ran like a horse that needed a race last time out, and that’s logical because it was her first try since December. She runs for a tag for the first time, and her 2-year-old form wasn’t terrible. If she gets back to it, she could stand a chance in here.

R2

First Call Bob (MTO)
Blast Furnace
Gun Barrel City

#5 BLAST FURNACE (3-1): Takes a significant drop in class second off the layoff for Mike Maker, and I have no problem drawing a line through the last-out clunker. It was his first race since New Year’s Day, and he runs for a tag for the first time in a while for high-percentage connections; #8 GUN BARREL CITY (5-1): Is another taking a drop for this one, and it’s safe to assume he hasn’t lived up to the expectations that come from his world-class pedigree. However, his running lines include a few talented horses, and this feels like the softest spot he’s run in since he graduated over a year ago; #3 LIGHT FANTASTIC (6-1): Goes first off the claim for Brad Cox and has every right to be well-meant. Two turns is a question mark, and he comes out of the state-bred ranks to run here, but Irad Ortiz, Jr., has been enticed to ride in his second start off a long break.

R3

Hey Toby
Mr Skylight
Normandy Coast

#9 HEY TOBY (6-1): Has run well at this level multiple times and was an OK fourth against allowance foes back in May. He should be able to sit his preferred stalking trip from the outside post, and it helps that he’s run well here twice in as many local starts; #7 MR SKYLIGHT (8-1): Merits a long look at a price coming down in class to what feels like the right level. Many of the front-runners in here have stamina issues, so I want horses that don’t need the lead in order to run well. At a minimum, he should be going the right way late; #1 NORMANDY COAST (4-1): Was competing against stakes foes just a year ago and takes a gigantic drop in class. If he runs back to that early-2025 form, he’s obviously formidable, but this trip down the class ladder is an alarming one, and the price on him may be shorter than I’m willing to take.

R4

Vibe (MTO)
Spirit of St Louis
Salamis

#2 SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS (2-1): Chased Mi Bago in the Kingston last time out, and that one came back to repeat against graded stakes foes. He may not be the horse he was last year, when he won two Grade 1 races, but he’s still pretty good, and he looks like a handful here; #5 SALAMIS (5/2): Is the second half of a powerful 1-2 punch for Chad Brown. If you can forgive his dud in the Grade 3 Poker, you’ve got an accomplished horse that won’t go favored, and the presence of Prat (who may have had some options) is notable; #6 SEA SINGER (10-1): Had every right to need his return to the races last month, and he didn’t run too poorly when beaten just three lengths. He should be more fit here, and he could grab a piece of this at a price if he gets a pace to run at.

R5

Side Quest
Cadillac Mary
Quoted

#9 SIDE QUEST (3-1): Didn’t have an easy trip in her debut and is bred to improve with a switch to the turf. Broodmare sire The Factor is a very strong grass influence, and the blinkers go on for trainer Will Walden, who’s connected with 11 of 33 such runners at a $3.16 ROI; #4 CADILLAC MARY (7/2): Ran a decent third in her debut downstate. That day’s winner came back to repeat at next asking, and the runner-up ran well in her next start despite a nightmare trip. If she moves forward second time out, she’ll have every chance to earn the diploma; #2 QUOTED (6-1): Debuts for Mark Casse, whose barn has been hot to this point in the meet. She only has three published works, which is a question mark, but she’s also bred to be an excellent turf horse, being by Street Sense and out of a War Front mare. My top two runners could be good ones, but of the first-time starters, this is the one I like most.

R6

Tapwrits Temper
Nantz
Ancient World

#10 TAPWRITS TEMPER (8-1): Is a tepid top pick in a race where my strongest opinion is against a horse rather than for one (more on that one later). They took the blinkers off last time, and this gelding responded by rating and drawing away to win by more than six lengths. There’s plenty of speed in here, and he could sit his ideal trip; #4 NANTZ (8-1): Was wide last time out in his first start for this barn, and he could improve if he gets to save some ground. Unlike many others, it doesn’t seem like he needs the lead to run well, and he may be the one to catch turning for home once the front-runners start retreating; #1 ANCIENT WORLD (8/5): Absolutely puzzles me. He was going against stakes foes last year, went to the sidelines in September, and comes back off the bench running for a $20,000 tag. He could win, of course, and the bullet works look good, but there are absolutely red flags here, and at a short price, I’ll try to beat him.

R7

Lady Rose (MTO)
All of It
Celtic Dawn

#3 ALL OF IT (8/5): Has done nothing wrong in two starts to date and is a deserving favorite in the Suzie O’Cain. She’s 2-for-2 with a combined margin of victory of more than eight lengths. The only question is whether or not she can run as well without Lasix, but several others in here have to answer that, too; #5 CELTIC DAWN (5/2): Is 3-for-3 and has won without Lasix twice, which is a big point in her favor. Her question is distance, as she stretches out to two turns for this event. If she can negotiate this trip, she’ll have every chance to make it four in a row; #1 NEW YORK SPECIAL (8-1): Was a gritty winner here last month, and that day’s runner-up came back to find the winner’s circle. It’s not a small class jump, but inside-drawn speed on the inner turf is a big plus, and almost everything this barn has sent out, it seems, has been live.

R8

Beauty Reigns
Senza Parole
Munnings Express

#4 BEAUTY REIGNS (7/2): Is a closer in what looks like a race with plenty of early speed, and she’s run very well here in the past. She was second in last year’s Grade 3 Victory Ride and third in the Grade 1 Test, and the faster they go early on, the better this Bill Mott trainee’s chances figure to be; #2 SENZA PAROLE (5/2): Flashed a lot of potential early in her career and is logical here (even if she’s plateaued a bit). There’s no shame in running third behind two quality mares last time out, as she did, and this is certainly an easier spot without the likes of Ways and Means to chase; #1 MUNNINGS EXPRESS (7/2): Didn’t run badly when third in a turf experiment last time out, but she gets back to what’s probably her preferred surface here. She may very well be the speed of the speed in here, and her three wins in a row prior to the last-out effort were all pretty good (albeit against weaker groups than what she’ll face here).

R9

Midtown Mischief
You Know Better
Garden of Grace

#3 MIDTOWN MISCHIEF (7/2): Drops in for a tag second off the layoff and almost certainly needed her last-out clunker. That race she ran here last year has aged very well, as she led into the stretch before finishing third behind two that went on to win stakes races. There’s a lot to like here, and she’s a very strong lean to end the Thursday program; #6 YOU KNOW BETTER (8-1): Is another going second off the bench, and she ran fine to be third in a similar spot downstate. She gets both blinkers and Flavien Prat in his event, one where she may not have to go very fast to dictate terms out of the gate; #7 GARDEN OF GRACE (4-1): Is starting to feel like a professional maiden, so I can’t use her on top. However, she goes back to turf and drops down to what hits me as the right level. Add in that she’s shown she can pass others late, which is a rare trait in this field, and I can’t ignore her completely.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $958

The Sunday feature at Saratoga is named in honor of Quick Call, a gelding that won multiple graded stakes races and found the winner’s circle at Saratoga at least once each year from 1987 to 1990. On the track, he was a graded stakes-winning sprinter that knocked heads with some of the fastest horses in the country, but he may have accomplished even more off of it.

He took up residence at the Wallkill Correctional Facility (not far from where your scribe grew up!) and was part of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Second Chances Program. There, he was one of many thoroughbreds who helped inmates learn new skills before they transition back into society, and that program has helped people get the fresh starts they need.

Quick Call passed away in 2019 at age 35, which is akin to a human living to about 100. By any estimation, he lived a full life, and it’s cool that he gets recognized in this way every summer.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS: I scratched out of all my action for the second straight day, but at least I get to use a great line: Fifth and Chestnut didn’t make it to East and Union.

SUNDAY’S PLAY: I really hope we get the 5-1 morning line price on #1 SILVOLOGY in the seventh. I’ll have a $25 win bet on her, and I’ll lean on her in multi-race exotics, too. She’s a single in $2 doubles that start with #1 ED CHARLES, #6 BRAUMS RUN, and #11 HURRICANE MO in the sixth and finish with #1 GEORGIA MAGIC, #2 PLAYA DEL MAR, and #4 IRON DOME in the eighth. Finally, I’ll play a $1 Pick Three starting in the sixth that uses all of these horses.

TOTAL WAGERED: $46.

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SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Silvology, Race 7
Longshot: Notfanutin, Race 1

R1

Sturdy
Curvino
Notfanutin

#6 STURDY (7/5): Drops way, way down the class ladder for the Sunday lid-lifter. He was wide throughout going longer at Aqueduct back in March, so I don’t have an issue tossing that clunker. If he’s the horse he was two back, when he romped at Parx, he’ll loom large; #7 CURVINO (9/5): Hasn’t won in quite a while but is another taking a drop for a high-percentage barn. He’s shown an ability to pass others late, and while he stretches out, his last win came at this nine-furlong distance, so that’s not any cause for concern; #8 NOTFANUTIN (30-1): Is a big, big price, but in a race with a fair amount of speed and not much stamina, I want a closer, and he’s one of them. I like that a Finger Lakes rider takes a trip in for the mount, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he clunks up for a piece of it at a huge number.

R2

Waitin’onapromise
Emergency Nine
Mizty Fog

#12 WAITIN’ONAPROMISE (3-1): Drew a tricky far-outside post, but she showed speed first time out and set legitimate fractions before fading to finish third. This barn has eye-popping numbers with second-time starters, and the switch to Jose Ortiz is a noteworthy one; #2 EMERGENCY NINE (8-1): Didn’t break well in her debut and was one-paced, but she drops in class for her second lifetime outing. The addition of blinkers may mean she shows some more early zip, and that would put her in the mix from the jump provided she’s able to break better; #11 MIZTY FOG (15-1): Did no running last time out in her first try since August, but she had every right to need it and she got bet a bit that day. Her two efforts here last year weren’t bad, and Luis Saez sees fit to take the call.

R3

Mr R T
Start the Day
Bargain Purchase

#5 MR R T (5-1): Is approaching “now or never” territory, but he was never getting to the last-out winner over a track that made early speed very, very difficult to catch. A more fair track should make things a bit easier for him, and Flavien Prat riding back is a definite plus; #4 START THE DAY (8-1): Drops further down the class ladder after finishing a one-paced sixth last time going six furlongs. His pedigree suggests added distance won’t be a problem, he adds blinkers, and he draws reasonably well, which could put him in an ideal spot; #1 BARGAIN PURCHASE (3-1): May go favored dropping in for powerhouse connections, but I have some doubts. He hasn’t run since February, that one race was a clunker, and he’s a $160,000 auction purchase running for a $25,000 tag. Perhaps the drop wakes him up, but some of this feels like they’re trying to lose the horse, and I can’t take him at a short price.

R4

Killa Sally
Sparkling Mama
Spitfire

#4 KILLA SALLY (3-1): Is part of a 1-2 punch for trainer Kenny McPeek, and while she’s a bigger price than her stablemate, she’s the one I like. Her last-out bullet drill inspires plenty of confidence, Jose Ortiz gets the call, and I’m expecting her to be forwardly-placed; #8 SPARKLING MAMA (5-1): May have been my top pick if not for a terrible, terrible draw. She’ll need to clear the field from her far-outside post out of the Wilson chute, but she may be speedy enough to do that, and if she gets comfortable, look out; #2 SPITFIRE (2-1): Hasn’t won in quite a while, but she’s kept strong company and her one win to date came at the Spa last summer. She was fourth in a $200,000 stakes race two back, and the inside draw is far from a bad thing.

R5

Suited Connectors (MTO)
Factory Setting
No Tide

#1 FACTORY SETTING (3-1): Was third in a race many of these exit, and she ran well that day. She was far back in a race with a very moderate pace, and if they go any faster up front here, she’s the one who stands to benefit the most; #6 NO TIDE (10-1): Ran like a horse that needed her debut in that event, when she was rank and wide. This barn, while small, is dangerous, and its runners often get better with experience; #3 AMAZING GRACER (4-1): Has a history of finding trouble, but was fourth in that common race and finished just over a length behind my top pick. If she’s able to sit a rare-to-her uneventful trip, she’ll have a chance to graduate in a turf race that hits me as pretty wide-open.

R6

Braums Run
Hurricane Mo (AE)
Ed Charles

#6 BRAUMS RUN (4-1): Debuted in a very tough spot and was third in a race where the winner earned an expenses-paid trip to Royal Ascot. That indicates this barn thinks he has some potential, and a trainee from this outfit who took a similar path graduated here earlier this summer; #11 HURRICANE MO (7/2): Needs a scratch to draw in but merits respect if he does. He chased a well-meant runner last time after contesting a solid pace, and this restricted event certainly feels like a softer spot; #1 ED CHARLES (8-1): Draws the rail in his debut, which can be tricky, but he boasts a very interesting pedigree. The four prior runners this dam has produced are all winners, and his second and third dam were both graded stakes winners that have thrown some nice horses.

R7

Concurrently (MTO)
Silvology
Don’t Jinx It

#1 SILVOLOGY (5-1): Almost certainly needed the last-out effort given that it was her first race in over a year. She stretches back to the marathon distance she loves, which she showed in a pair of graded stakes placings last year before she went to the sidelines. This feels like everything she wants, and the morning line price is a very solid one; #6 DON’T JINX IT (9/2): Is another going second off the bench with some back class. She was third in the Grade 3 Jockey Club Oaks at this distance in November, and while I’m not quite convinced she totally wants this distance, she’ll certainly be a factor early; #7 VRONTI (5/2): Won two in a row before trying top-notch company in the Grade 1 Gamely. She didn’t disgrace herself when fifth that day, but while there’s some reason for enthusiasm, she would’ve fit in Friday’s De La Rose and possibly Saturday’s Grade 1 Diana, so why is she here?

R8

Playa Del Mar
Georgia Magic
Iron Dome

#2 PLAYA DEL MAR (2-1): Turned a corner since being claimed by Linda Rice and has run away with two races at this distance downstate. This is a step up in class, to be sure, but his recent progression suggests he can handle it, and he’ll be prominent from the moment the gates are sprung; #1 GEORGIA MAGIC (3-1): Was very, very impressive last time out at Aqueduct, when he led every step of the way going nine furlongs. We know he has speed, and he does have a win at this route (albeit in the slop); #4 IRON DOME (9/5): Looked like a very promising horse last season, when he won three in a row here before running second in the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby. He’s run just once since October, though, and while a forward move puts him right there, this isn’t an easy spot, and he’ll likely be a pretty short price.

R9

Oscar’s Hope (MTO)
Cy Fair
Johnny’s Red Storm

#8 CY FAIR (9/5): Is cross-entered in the Grade 3 Quick Call Sunday and Saturday’s Grade 3 Coronation Cup, and she’ll be formidable wherever she runs. She’s won four of six, including the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, and she’s the one they’ll have to beat in whichever race she contests; #10 JOHNNY’S RED STORM (5-1): Wasn’t headed in two starts last year, including the $1 million Juvenile Sprint at Kentucky Downs. We haven’t seen him in nearly 11 months, but the last-out bullet drill hints that he’s ready, and if he is, George Weaver has a very strong hand; #6 UNWRITTEN RULE (12-1): Hasn’t done much wrong, with two wins and two seconds in four starts. He’s a closer in a race with a lot of early speed, which may mean he’s the one picking up the pieces late at a pretty big price.

R10

So Vain (MTO)
Artistic Success
Twirly

#5 ARTISTIC SUCCESS (5/2): Came off of a seven-month break to run third downstate at this level. She went second off the bench here last summer, and she was a very impressive winner. With that history, I’m banking on improvement in the Sunday finale, and if that happens, she’ll be tough to repel; #1 TWIRLY (6-1): Didn’t run well in her 2026 debut, but that was on dirt against starter allowance foes. She’s back on the lawn here, and at what feels like the correct level, so there are reasons for optimism; #3 MERMAID (4-1): Went wire-to-wire two back before trying much, much tougher last time out. This is a significant class drop, and while her win two back was of the “perfect trip” variety and she’s a 3-year-old going up against older horses, perhaps the shallower waters will help her.