BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,058

Sometimes, sanity prevails.

If you read Friday’s bankroll blurb, you saw me present some facts about the organization known as Horseracing Wrongs. Their leader had been booked for an event at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, and outcry was swift, harsh, and, in some cases, coming from people way more important than little old me. As a result, the library rescinded its support of the event Friday morning.

To reiterate, if horse racing isn’t your thing, that’s okay (provided, of course, we can agree that “horse racing” is two words, not one!). We can have rational, reasonable differences without coming to blows over it. However, the man who was set to appear at this event has never once prioritized rationality or reason in his dealings with the horse racing world. Attendees would have been subjected to a one-sided, sensationalized view without anyone around to provide hard evidence to the contrary.

Presenting different opinions on a topic is one thing, but this is the sort of stuff that helps no one. I wish it didn’t take so much public backlash to get there, but good on the Saratoga Springs Public Library for making the smart decision.

FRIDAY’S RESULTS: My Pick Three fizzled early, as I was right to bet against a few vulnerable favorites in the sixth but had the wrong alternatives. I dropped $24.

SATURDAY’S PLAY: To be honest, most of this card hits me as chalky. However, the more I look at #6 UPTOWN ROSIE in the sixth, the more I like her. I’ll keep things simple with a $30 win bet, and I hope we get that 6-1 morning line price.

TOTAL WAGERED: $30.

Want to leave a tip? Click here to send it via Venmo!

SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Uptown Rosie, Race 6
Longshot: Tizlawry, Race 11

R1

Midnight Still
Decimation
Harbaugh

#1 MIDNIGHT STILL (6/5): Rated and passed horses in his debut at Churchill and is eligible to move forward at second asking in the Saturday lid-lifter. Flavien Prat sees fit to ride for Kinnon LaRose, whose name may sound familiar to fans of a Capital District college basketball team (he spent his freshman year at Siena before transferring to Sacred Heart); #3 DECIMATION (7/2): Showed a lot of speed at first asking before losing interest entirely in the stretch. I’m not sure what happened that day, but young horses sometimes do weird things as they learn, and if he’s matured since then, he may be the one to catch; #5 HARBAUGH (5/2): Hammered for $450,000 at the OBS sale in April and has been training well for Mark Casse. Sire Not This Time has been red-hot of late, and he must’ve “breezed” (I use that term loosely) very impressively in order to sell for such a hefty sum.

R2

Angel of Kirk
Hot Fries
Aerial Affair

#5 ANGEL OF KIRK (5/2): Sold for $500,000 last year at Keeneland and debuts for the tag team of Brad Cox and Flavien Prat. Sire Yaupon has been throwing precocious runners, this one’s dam was a Grade 2-placed sprinter, and she’s been working like a horse with some potential; #3 HOT FRIES (7/2): Makes her first start for Steve Asmussen and has the pedigree to be very, very fast. She’s by Jackie’s Warrior and out of a mare named Fast Gator, a multiple stakes-winning sprinter. This barn’s 2-year-olds sometimes need a race to get going, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see she’s a runner; #7 AERIAL AFFAIR (3-1): Is a daughter of Flightline with several very fast works coming into her first career start. The outside draw is a plus, but my hesitation is that this barn’s horses often aren’t fully-cranked at first asking. If this half-sister to Grade 1 winner Bella Sofia is ready to go, though, she’ll have every chance.

R3

Speightful Lily
Army Gal
Next On Stage

#6 SPEIGHTFUL LILY (6/5): Had every right to need a race last time coming off of a layoff of more than 13 months, but she was a game second in a fast race during Belmont week. Prat rides back, and any sort of a step forward second off the bench would make her a formidable favorite; #5 ARMY GAL (9/5): Is one of two in here for Linda Rice, and while it’s safe to assume she’s had her issues (with just one start since December), her sheet includes some fast races against some nice horses. This isn’t the toughest race for the level, and if the chalk misfires, she stands to benefit; #1 NEXT ON STAGE (3-1): Completes the 1-2 punch for Linda Rice and comes in off of a failed turf experiment. She gets back to her preferred surface here, and while the rail draw is a tricky one, she’s at least shown some tactical speed in the past.

R4

Georgia Magic (MTO)
Intellect
Sounds Like a Plan

#4 INTELLECT (4-1): Kept strong company last year when picking up checks in three graded stakes races here. He hasn’t really moved forward this year, which gives me pause, but perhaps a move forward third off the bench is in the offing; #1 SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN (4-1): Has gotten pretty darned good and capitalized on a perfect front-running trip here last month. This is a tougher spot, and he may face some opposition early, but the rail draw is ideal for what he wants to do, and they’ll likely have him to catch; #6 ALAN TURING (10-1): Has established himself as a consistent performer and comes back to the grass after a win in the Commentator on dirt at a price. He’s shown he can run well on the lawn, though, and his tactical speed could allow him to sit an ideal trip at a price.

R5

Sunna
Italian Soiree
In Our Time

#4 SUNNA (2-1): Has a very simple game and will likely get to play it in the Grade 2 Caress. She wants to be on or near the lead, and when that happens, she’s tough to beat. This field has quality to it, but it doesn’t have a ton of other early speed. She could sit an absolute dream trip as a result; #3 ITALIAN SOIREE (7/2): Was a fast-closing second in the Grade 2 Intercontinental, and I think it’s safe to say her two-back clunker at Churchill is a throwout. She’s simply not a two-turn horse, and if she gets a pace to sit off of, she could be heard from late; #6 IN OUR TIME (5/2): Ran very well two back to take the Grade 2 Giant’s Causeway at Keeneland and may have had an excuse in the Intercontinental, where she didn’t break well and may not have sat her desired trip. The outside post should give her every chance at a strong break, and her best could absolutely win this.

R6

Uptown Rosie
Secret Connection
D’muehl

#6 UPTOWN ROSIE (6-1): Turned some heads in May to sell for $300,000 despite a fairly modest pedigree, and her most recent drill was a big gate work. She’s kin to a runner who placed in stakes races as a 2-year-old, and given the big field, I think we’ll get a very appealing price; #4 SECRET CONNECTION (5/2): Has been working steadily for a barn that knows how to get first-time starters ready to go. She sold for $90,000 at the OBS sale this year, and her bottom-side pedigree is solid, as her dam is one of 10 winners thrown by her second dam; #7 D’MUEHL (5-1): Makes her debut for Brad Cox, whose barn always merits respect in baby races this time of year. Her works downstate are solid, and she was impressive enough as a yearling to hammer for $105,000 across the street. 

R7

Gewurztraminer (MTO)
Yinzer
Unit Economics

#4 YINZER (3-1): Is a tepid top pick as one of many contenders coming in off of a long break. We haven’t seen him since November, but it looks like he could be the lone speed in this two-turn inner turf race. Given the way this course can play, and the fact that his best form is quite good, I’ll hope he’s ready to go; #2 UNIT ECONOMICS (5/2): Hasn’t run since February of 2025, yet may go favored largely due to his connections. This Chad Brown trainee showed some potential before going to the bench, and while I’m concerned about his late-running style given the likely race shape, he certainly fits on speed figures; #7 CANDYTOWN (8-1): Had a chance to shake off some rust last month, when he trailed in his first try since November. This barn has been uncharacteristically cold up here, but he ran well in some pretty big spots late last year and could contend if he gets back to that form.

R8

Pair of Socks (MTO)
Bosun
Mission Improbable

#2 BOSUN (7/2): Returns after a layoff of more than five months, but he gets back to his preferred route, where he won a pair of races a season ago. He’s got a few recent bullets at Keeneland, and that makes me think he’s ready to go in this spot; #5 MISSION IMPROBABLE (8-1): Came back running downstate last month, when he capitalized on a race that fell apart and got the money at a big price. This is a tougher spot, but it’s also possible he’s getting better as a 4-year-old, and Santana riding back is a big plus; #8 GYPSY ART (4-1): Has picked up checks in stakes company and may be putting it all together. His last two efforts at Churchill were both strong ones, and the Wesley Ward barn is off to a very solid start at this stand.

R9

Tricky Business
Toscano
Sunday Boy

#2 TRICKY BUSINESS (2-1): Debuted impressively enough for his connections to take a try at the Pegasus at Monmouth. His race was over at the start that day, but he comes back to New York-bred company, gets to run with Lasix, and may sit a dream trip near the pace coming out of the Wilson chute; #4 TOSCANO (5/2): Came back with a fourth-place finish in a solid race for the level last time out, and that was his first race in nearly a year. This barn has been pretty chilly up here of late, but he’s certainly eligible to improve second off the bench stretching out to a distance he’s won at before; #6 SUNDAY BOY (6-1): Comes back to the dirt after picking up a few minor awards on the grass. He pulled off an upset in a $500,000 stakes race going seven furlongs last year, and while he may be pace-dependent, the rider switch to Jose Ortiz makes me think he’s well-meant.

R10

Kinetic (MTO)
Fort George
Minaret Station

#4 FORT GEORGE (9/5): Looks very difficult to go against in the Grade 2 Bowling Green. He got very good in Dubai over the winter, where he won a Group 3 event and finished second to Rebel’s Romance in a Group 2. If that version of this horse shows up, the race is probably for second; #6 MINARET STATION (2-1): Hasn’t done much wrong going shorter and stretches out to a marathon distance for the first time. That gives me some pause, as does the short price we’re likely to get, but he’s made the talented Lagynos work twice in his last two outings, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s well-meant; #2 SOLEIL VOLANT (12-1): Has a chance at a minor award at a pretty big price. He has something many in here don’t have, a win at this 11-furlong distance (which came two back at Churchill). Stretching back out to this route should help him, and he’s shown a bit more tactical speed of late, too.

R11

Karsten
Classic Commander
Tizlawry

#5 KARSTEN (3-1): Ran in spurts in his debut, where he went from fifth, to seventh, to third. He ran like a horse that needed the try. He got it, he gets Flavien Prat here, and I’m anticipating a move forward in the nightcap; #2 CLASSIC COMMANDER (8-1): Ran second in the race my top pick exits and seems to have found his form since going to the grass and getting Edgard Zayas. He’s had eight tries, which isn’t ideal, but at least it seems like he’s getting better, and we may get a bit of a price; #7 TIZLAWRY (20-1): Is a candidate to juice up the exotics. He almost certainly needed his last-out clunker off of a long break, and his debut back in November at Aqueduct was actually pretty good. Toss the race where he was vanned off and the race after the five-month layoff, and you have a much more appealing resume.

BANKROLL

(NOTE: The Saratoga Springs Public Library cancelled the event in question Friday morning. The section below was sent Thursday before that development.)

BANKROLL: $1,082

Next week, the Saratoga Springs Public Library will host Patrick Battuello, who runs an organization called Horseracing Wrongs. The library has a right to book whatever guests it wants, I readily admit horse racing (two words, not one!) isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and I respect those who have rational, reasonable objections to certain parts of the industry. Since that event is presenting a one-sided view of certain matters, though, I’m using this space to present facts you won’t hear if you attend.

People should know that Horseracing Wrongs blatantly deals in misinformation and sensationalism to fuel its own agenda. Battuello’s stances on an eventual petless society and the sterilization of racehorses to the point of extinction are reprehensible, and as a writer, that group’s documented disrespect of copyright law also offends me. It’s also worth noting that, as a restaurant owner, Battuello proudly served meat options, which…kind of makes all the “animal rights” stuff fall flat, doesn’t it?

Donna Brothers wrote an excellent piece detailing all the issues with Battuello and his group, and an organization called Horse Racing Facts did the same. Both articles are well worth your time. I cannot say the same about next week’s event at the library.

THURSDAY’S RESULTS: I got exactly the trip I wanted with Opulent Restraint in the sixth, but she dropped anchor in the stretch and I dropped $25.

FRIDAY’S PLAY: The back half of this card is absolutely fascinating, and I’m going to try to extract some value out of my strongest lean, #5 JACKIE THE JOKER in the eighth. She’s a single to finish $2 Pick Three tickets that start in the sixth and go as follows: 1,2,5 with 1,2,3,6 with 5.

TOTAL WAGERED: $24.

Want to leave a tip? Click here to send it via Venmo!

SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Pros and Cons, Race 2
Longshot: Relative Risk, Race 10

R1

Hadrian’s Wall
Commerce
Presidential Power

#1 HADRIAN’S WALL (4/5): Has run second in all three tries to date, and while I understand a lack of interest in him at a very short price, he’s certainly the most likely winner here. He was left with far too much to do last time over a speed-favoring track, and Flavien Prat likely won’t make the same mistake twice; #4 COMMERCE (7/2): Was fourth in the race my top pick exits and showed some tactical speed that day. Bill Mott trainees tend to improve with experience, so it’s not illogical to think he could take a step forward in his third career start; #5 PRESIDENTIAL POWER (5-1): Showed mild late interest in his debut going shorter here last month. He certainly needs to move up on speed figures, but every bit of his pedigree says he wants this two-turn trip, and the rider switch to Jose Ortiz is a notable one.

R2

Pros and Cons
Mary’s Gonna Run
Golden Siren

#1 PROS AND CONS (2-1): Debuted in a tough spot at Gulfstream Park, one that awarded the winner a spot in a race at Royal Ascot. She was a good second that day, and her pedigree says two turns won’t be an issue. Any sort of a step forward makes her the one to beat; #7 MARY’S GUNNA RUN (8/5): Debuted by finishing second in a swiftly-run race downstate. They finished very, very fast that day, and this barn doesn’t often have first-time starters fully cranked. Logical improvement gives her a chance; #2 GOLDEN SIREN (6-1): Is the “other” Mark Casse trainee, but she may have some potential. She sold for $135,000 at auction last summer, and her dam is kin to stakes winners Proven Strategies and Corona Bolt, among others.

R3

B Thedonald
Kenny B
On the Hill

#2 B THEDONALD (8/5): I’d rather not, but this one is very logical coming back to the optional claiming ranks. He was a solid second behind a runaway winner in the Mike Lee here last month after a rough break, and if he’s able to get away cleanly, I think he’ll sit an ideal trip beneath Manny Franco; #5 KENNY BE (5/2): Won easily two back at Aqueduct before chasing a perfect-trip, runaway winner here a few weeks ago. David Duggan’s had him going pretty well as a 4-year-old, and if my top pick finds older company too tough at this stage, this is the one who figures to benefit; #4 ON THE HILL (9/2): Had every right to need his return to the races last time out off of a long break. The start before that break saw him get pulled up and vanned off, so both of those races are throw-outs. This barn isn’t having the best year, but he’s run well over this surface and would benefit from a pace meltdown.

R4

Playa Del Mar (MTO)
Favorable Scenario
Golden Channel

#4 FAVORABLE SCENARIO (9/5): Didn’t have an ideal trip last time, when he rated behind a modest pace in his first try since January. He closed well to be second that day, though, and going to the Mellon turf course (which is a bit more favorable to closers than the inner) should move him forward; #7 GOLDEN CHANNEL (7/2): Has tactical speed and just missed in a first-level allowance at Monmouth last time out. Jose Ortiz likely had several options, but he winds up on this George Weaver trainee, and I think that’s notable; #6 ELNAJD (5/2): Had an eventful journey here last month, when he checked out of the race around the far turn before doing a bit of running in the stretch. I don’t think he was getting to the loose-on-the-lead winner that day, but he’s certainly eligible to improve.

R5

Contrary Thinking
Dapper Moon
Vibrant Express

#4 CONTRARY THINKING (2-1): Did everything but win off the trainer switch to Amelia Green last time. The former Grade 1 rabbit did all the dirty work up front and got nailed on the wire. He certainly looks like the controlling speed here, and I think he makes every pole a winning one; #7 DAPPER MOON (6-1): Ships in for Dallas Stewart, whose trainees must be respected when they come in from Kentucky. He has back races that fit with this bunch, and he didn’t have the best of trips last time out at Churchill; #3 VIBRANT EXPRESS (5/2): Reeled off five wins in a row downstate over the winter and may have been compromised by a sloppy track last time as a disappointing odds-on favorite. Prat rides back for Weaver, and a bounce-back effort would put him in the mix.

R6

Resort
Gum
Loveontheleftbank

#2 RESORT (8-1): Kicks off an intriguing late Pick Five sequence as a potential wire-to-wire threat at a price. There just isn’t much early speed in this inner turf race, and she at least has shown some interest in her last few starts. John Velazquez takes the call, and I’m hoping he gets aggressive; #1 GUM (6-1): Just missed last time out at Laurel and once again draws the rail for Graham Motion. Blinkers go on, which is interesting (and a strong move for this outfit), and it wouldn’t be surprising to see her be a bit more forward; #5 LOVEONTHELEFTBANK (3-1): Is 0-for-8 lifetime and has burned quite a bit of money, including in two prior tries at this level. Her speed figures are competitive, and she wouldn’t be shocking, but I’ll take a mild stand against her here given the likely price.

R7

Sing a Little Song (MTO)
Sadie Earp
Capturing

#3 SADIE EARP (2-1): Is very dangerous when she gets to the lead, and I have to think that’s the plan here. Her last-out wire-to-wire win at Aqueduct off the bench was a sharp effort, and while she jumps up in class, the relative lack of early speed elsewhere in this field could really help her; #1 CAPTURING (6-1): Ran very well three back to clear the first-level condition at Keeneland, and has since gotten some strange trips downstate. Jose Ortiz hops aboard for a Todd Pletcher barn that’s been uncharacteristically cold at Saratoga dating back to Belmont week; #6 QUIET CONFIDENCE (4-1): Hasn’t run since September and returns for a lower-percentage outfit, but she’s probably the other main speed in this field besides my top pick. She won in wire-to-wire fashion at this route back in July, and while the break is a huge question mark, the recent bullet drills hint that she may be ready to run.

R8

Jackie the Joker
Play Good Pay Good
Miss Lao

#5 JACKIE THE JOKER (8/5): Enjoyed quite a bit of success at Aqueduct in the first half of the year, with four wins in eight 2026 outings to date. On paper, this is a move up in class, but the field includes several runners she’s beaten soundly, and the last-out victory was very, very good. If she repeats that effort, the race is probably for second; #6 PLAY GOOD PAY GOOD (4-1): Has won two in a row at Finger Lakes and tries deeper waters here at the Spa. This barn doesn’t come up the Thruway for no reason, and Ricardo Santana, Jr., will likely have her forwardly-placed in the early going; #4 MISS LAO (8-1): Broke through for her first win in quite a while last time, but she’s a consistent filly going to a sneaky barn first off the claim. She’s run well at Saratoga in the past, and while this is another technically going up in class, it’s not a particularly intimidating group for the level.

R9

Goodall
Tommy Jo
Carmel Coast

#10 GOODALL (3-1): Is a tepid top pick in a fantastic renewal of the Grade 3 Victory Ride. Her win in the Jersey Girl Belmont week was excellent, and she draws a cushy outside post that should give Flavien Prat plenty of options. If she’s the same horse she was a month ago, she’ll have a big say here; #5 TOMMY JO (7/2): Was one of the best 2-year-old fillies in the country last year, but she went to the sidelines after an uninspiring fifth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. She was probably going just a bit too far that day, and this trip should hit her between the eyes if she’s ready to run; #3 CARMEL COAST (8-1): Ran very well to be second in the Jersey Girl after breaking poorly, being sent to the front, and setting a very fast pace. She’s got two strong races over this surface, and her two-back win showed that she doesn’t necessarily need the lead in order to run well.

R10

Ink Lies
Relative Risk
Two Ducks

#4 INK LIES (8/5): Takes one of the biggest drops in the game for Wesley Ward, going from a maiden special weight to a maiden claiming event in the Friday finale. Her two-back effort at Keeneland was a good one, and at least she showed some late interest when taken back last time at Churchill; #7 RELATIVE RISK (15-1): Merits a long look at a big price in his debut. He only sold for $19,000, but sire Flameaway has thrown some precocious runners and his bottom-side pedigree is very good. His dam was a first-out winner, and that mare is kin to stakes winner Joevia and stakes-placed 2-year-old Ready for Peace. It also helps that, to be honest, he doesn’t have to be a monster to contend here; #1 TWO DUCKS (5/2): Has earned plenty of checks at this level and will take money, but at 0-for-10 lifetime, I have my doubts. He’s just not the type to pass horses late in races, I’m not sure he’ll be in front turning for home, and his likely price hits me as an underlay.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,107

I usually try to have fun with these blurbs. I can’t today.

People in horse racing hate one another for some pretty stupid reasons (I should know; I’ve been put on blast for, among other things, posting phone numbers for domestic abuse hotlines and for marrying a woman of Chinese heritage). With that in mind, perhaps the most powerful thing I can say about Mary Rampellini, who for years covered a wide-ranging group of tracks for The Daily Racing Form, is that nobody, and I mean nobody, ever had an unkind word to say about her.

Mary passed away last weekend at the far-too-young age of 53. As a writer, she leaves a gigantic hole. As a human being, the loss is an even greater one. Take it from someone who used to work with her: She was one of the really, really good ones, and turf writing as a whole is weaker for her no longer being here.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS: Capricious Outcome won, but the rest of my Pick Five fizzled. I dropped $36.

THURSDAY’S PLAY: Lone speed on the inner turf is a powerful thing, which is why I’m leaning on #7 OPULENT RESTRAINT in the sixth. I’ll have a $25 win bet on her, and I’m hoping she can make every pole a winning one.

TOTAL WAGERED: $25.

Want to leave a tip? Click here to send it via Venmo!

SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Opulent Restraint, Race 6
Longshot: Global Prosperity, Race 8

R1

Tough Street
Snide
Street View

#3 TOUGH STREET (5/2): Heads back to the Wilson chute, where she’s run some of her best races. Her wire-to-wire win at this route in 2024 was very, very good, and she was an unlucky loser in her last try here in August. Manny Franco could’ve ridden a few, but he lands here; #1 SNIDE (2-1): Has speed and draws the rail, which is a powerful combination at this trip. Her best is good enough to win, but Linda Rice enters two, Franco and Flavien Prat both go elsewhere, and she may not be alone up front; #5 STREET VIEW (4-1): Has back class going back to last year and drops down the ladder off the bench. It’s possible she’s past her peak, but this is an aggressive outfit that isn’t afraid to drop horses to levels where they can win.

R2

Generational
Excessif
Just a Holiday

#6 GENERATIONAL (5/2): Didn’t break well in his debut at Churchill, but he did at least regain enough composure to pass some rivals and finish fifth. Steve Asmussen trainees tend to improve with experience, Prat sees fit to ride, and that edge in seasoning over most of his rivals could come in handy; #2 EXCESSIF (8-1): Debuts for a patient barn, so he may need a race, but everything about his pedigree screams that he’ll love the lawn. His dam and second dam both won stakes races on the grass, and that second dam, Ruthenia, is a full sister to Grade 1 turf heroine Rutherienne; #3 JUST A HOLIDAY (9/2): Probably lost his unveiling at the break, and that race was won by Booked, who has since come back to repeat against stakes foes. He sold for $800,000 last year, has been working well for Wesley Ward, and was bet like a good horse in his unveiling, so perhaps we’ll see more today.

R3

Cold Spell
Fletch’s Rockette
Lil Tipsy

#5 COLD SPELL (2/5): Has run second behind some very nice fillies in her two prior outings and looms very, very large. You likely won’t get anything resembling value here, but she’s certainly the filly to beat; #4 FLETCH’S ROCKETTE (9/2): Tried turf last time out but faded to fifth after setting the pace. She gets back to what’s probably her preferred footing here, cuts back in distance, and ran very well in her debut, when she finished third behind two well-meant 2-year-olds here in August; #7 LIL TIPSY (8-1): Moved forward off the claim last time out, when she moved early but still salvaged second as an odds-on favorite. This is a tougher spot, but if she keeps moving forward, she could grab a piece of it at a price.

R4

Amelia’s Echo
Margarita Molly
Twirly

#3 AMELIA’S ECHO (7/2): Is a tepid top pick in a mess of a race out of the Wilson chute (just saying, three chute races in the early Pick Five feels like overkill to this handicapper…). I can justify drawing a line through the last-out clunker in the slop at Aqueduct, though, and her solid races two and three back at Oaklawn likely came against better horses than what she faces here; #4 MARGARITA MOLLY (3-1): Drops way down in class after back-to-back bullet drills for a barn that doesn’t usually drop like this, which raises an eyebrow. She has plenty of early speed, though, and Prat takes the call; #2 TWIRLY (7/2): Likely needed her last-out effort downstate off of a nine-month layoff. I’m expecting her to show a bit more early speed than she did that day, and she’s shown she can capitalize off of a trip like that.

R5

Soaring High
Brunch With Amy
Hidden Rose

#3 SOARING HIGH (1-1): Was second of 10 in a swiftly-run race at Churchill that doubled as her first try against winners. Big things have been expected from this daughter of Hall of Famers Curlin and Songbird, and I just don’t think this race came up very strong for the level; #2 BRUNCH WITH AMY (9/2): Was one-paced last time out on a day where it paid to be forward. Closers can have a tough time out of the chute, but she should at least get some pace to chase, and the presence of Prat could move her forward a bit; #5 HIDDEN ROSE (8-1): Got the confidence-builder her connections must’ve been looking for last time out when she overpowered a short, weak field at Finger Lakes. She showed enough talent last year to win at first asking going a mile, which isn’t easy to do, and there may be more room for her to grow.

R6

Sailaway (MTO)
Opulent Restraint
Play With Fire

#7 OPULENT RESTRAINT (7/2): Faces some good ones second off the bench for Bill Mott, but few angles have been more profitable here over the years than “lone speed on the inner turf.” Such a scenario could present itself here with a runner that was beaten less than a length in last year’s Grade 1 Belmont Oaks; #2 PLAY WITH FIRE (3-1): Hasn’t run since October but is another with considerable stakes experience. She came up a half-length short in a pair of high-level races here last summer, and while she may be a bit pace-dependent, her best is clearly good enough; #1 QUEEN OF HAWAII (9/2): Didn’t disgrace herself when she was seventh in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf after a tough start. She hasn’t raced since, but Jose Ortiz sees fit to ride for a small (and very dangerous) outfit, and she was a Group 3 winner last year in her native Ireland.

R7

Red State
Gatsby
Timaeus

#9 RED STATE (7/5): Takes a massive drop for aggressive connections and a barn eagerly seeking its first win up here this year. He’s been running against optional claimers, goes against $20,000 straight platers in this spot, draws well, and looks very tough to go against; #2 GATSBY (9/2): Showed his usual early speed last time out but faded, which was logical given it was his first try since January. He’s an 8-year-old, so it’s possible his form’s going the wrong way, but if he can channel his 2025 form, I think he’s got a chance to spring a mild upset; #8 TIMAEUS (12-1): Merits a look underneath as a horse that’s shown he can pass others late. There’s quite a bit of speed in here, which could help him, and while his last two outings aren’t inspiring, those did come at higher levels. Channeling his races from March and April could get him a piece of this at a price.

R8

Golden Symphony (MTO)
Bridle a Butterfly
Global Prosperity

#2 BRIDLE A BUTTERFLY (9/2): Goes first off the claim for Amelia Green, whose barn has been going very, very well of late. I think he went too far in his last two starts. He’s a stakes-winning turf sprinter, and while this isn’t an easy race for the level, I think the 9/2 morning line price is actually a considerable overlay; #10 GLOBAL PROSPERITY (10-1): Hasn’t raced since February, when he was claimed by astute horsewoman Lisa Lewis. He ran well here twice a season ago, and he’s another that could benefit from a cutback in distance; #8 COUNTER MOVE (7/2): Has clearly taken to turf in his last two starts, in which he broke his maiden before settling for third after setting a hot pace in his first try against winners. At a minimum, he’s the likely speed in here, and if he gets comfortable, he could lead them a long way.

R9

Asked and Answered (MTO)
Coordinator
Feline Curious

#5 COORDINATOR (2-1): Starts for the powerhouse trio of Juddmonte, Chad Brown, and Flavien Prat and looks dangerous in the Thursday nightcap. He chased stakes-quality horses in each of his first two starts before going to the bench. It’s curious that Chad runs two here, but if this one is ready, he’s a likely winner; #8 FELINE CURIOUS (12-1): Has stepped forward in each of his three prior starts and looks competitive on paper at a price. He was second last time out at Churchill, but he finished with interest that day, and that winner has since come back to repeat; #1 PAY THE PIPER (8-1): Is the “other Chad” in here, and his debut back in January wasn’t bad. His second start, however, was a nightmare, as he was pulled up and walked off. He hasn’t shown much early speed, which is a problem on he inner, but he’s been working steadily and runs as a gelding for the first time.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,143

Having just rewatched one of my favorite episodes of “Bob’s Burgers,” one where Carly Simon makes a cameo appearance, I feel it fair to point out something that will rock the worlds of people of a certain age.

Her song, “You’re So Vain,” name-drops Saratoga. However, I think people have been dramatically misinterpreting it for more than 50 years. First of all, yes, perhaps there’s vanity there…but if he thinks the song is about him, and it is about him, isn’t he also absolutely correct? Furthermore, if his horse “naturally won” at Saratoga, long one of the toughest places in the world to win a horse race, isn’t he also notably successful?

The two-pronged lesson, boys and girls: My mind is a scary, scary place, and listening to the lyrics of hit songs is a dangerous, dangerous game.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS: Abashiri’s, um…eventful trip in the Belmont Oaks meant she had no shot. I dropped $30 (also, I screwed up Saturday’s starting total, not accounting for the extra $200 I put in when the meet expanded).

SUNDAY’S PLAY: I’m going to take a shot at the late Pick Five, which starts in the fifth with what hits me as a “free square.” My 50-cent ticket goes as follows: 8 with 1,9 with 1,2,7,8 with 1,2,4 with 1,8,10. If we can get #8 CAPRICIOUS OUTCOME home in the opening leg, I like our chances at a nice score.

TOTAL WAGERED: $36.

Want to leave a tip? Click here to send it via Venmo!

SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Capricious Outcome, Race 5
Longshot: Offlee Naughty, Race 9

R1

Rocket One
Fil Dor
Take Your Seats

#8 ROCKET ONE (3-1): Did everything but win in a Grade 1 here last time out, when he was clear by open lengths in the lane before being run down. Jack Fisher’s got him going well at the moment, and a repeat of the last-out effort could get this one the money in the Grade 1 Leo O’Brien; #7 FIL DOR (7/2): Came over here late last year and may have needed his run in the Grade 1 Iroquois. That’s a three-mile event, and cutting back to the distance of his two-back score in the Grade 1 Colonial Cup should help him; #4 TAKE YOUR SEATS (8-1): Merits a look at a bit of a price. He gets weight from many of his rivals (as much as 16 pounds), and at a minimum, he should be prominent from the jump.

R2

Recurring Revenue
Onebigbeautfulbill
Happy Go More

#1 RECURRING REVENUE (7/2): Hasn’t run since his debut in February of 2025, but he’s been working very well for Chad Brown, and if that’s any indication, he should be ready to go. He also doesn’t seem to run against any monsters in his comeback race, and I think he’s live coming off the bench; #4 ONEBIGBEAUTFULBILL (5/2): Debuts for Brad Cox, attracts Flavien Prat, and boasts a sharp two-back gate drill downstate. His dam’s two prior foals to race are both winners, so it wouldn’t be shocking if this one winds up having some talent; #3 HAPPY GO MORE (3-1): Debuts for a barn whose first-time starters often need a race, but he’s got several very strong workouts ahead of his unveiling. if he runs to a few of those drills, he could be a player at first asking.

R3

Pens Street
Kyle’s Mom
Always Angels

#2 PENS STREET (3-1): Hasn’t shown much in three starts this year, but she drops way down in class for Linda Rice and draws a favorable inside post coming out of the Wilson chute. Ricardo Santana, Jr., rides back after a fourth-place finish last time out, and at least she’s shown a little tactical speed in the past; #3 KYLE’S MOM (9/2): Has won three of her last four starts, and while most of those races came against weaker, she’s got the right running style to do well at this configuration. It’s possible she sits an ideal trip just off the pace, and that could give her every chance; #4 ALWAYS ANGELS (2-1): Has some back races that fit, but hits me as a significant underlay at this price. Her one win since the start of 2025 came at the “beaten claiming” level, and she doesn’t seem quite as fast out of the gate as she was last summer. Given her likely price, I’ll try to beat her.

R4

Holy Seven
Party Animal
Neigh Baby

#7 HOLY SEVEN (2-1): Comes off the bench for this one, but it’s safe to assume he learned quite a bit in his lone race to date. He broke slowly, rushed up, and faded to fourth. He’s been working well for Steve Asmussen, he gets Lasix for the first time, and Jose Ortiz sees fit to ride; #6 PARTY ANIMAL (7/2): Showed a bit of speed last time out, when he pressed a hot pace over a very fast track last month. The rider switch to Edgard Zayas is notable, and I’m expecting him to be on or near the lead out of the gate here; #5 NEIGH BABY (12-1): Is worth a look at a price after catching a sloppy track he clearly detested in May at Churchill Downs. He ran well in two local starts last year, and while he may be a bit more pace-dependent than I’d like, those morning line odds hit me as too big.

R5

Capricious Outcome
Inherent Promise
Dynadee

#8 CAPRICIOUS OUTCOME (8/5): Won’t be much of a price, but he drops way down in class and appears to have this bunch over a barrel. Given the layoff lines, it’s safe to assume he’s had his issues, but he attracts Flavien Prat and doesn’t have a break before this event. If he doesn’t win, I have a tough time predicting who does; #7 INHERENT PROMISE (7/2): Has had lots of chances and is 0-for-16 lifetime, but he did at least take a step forward last year before going to the sidelines. Lisa Lewis doesn’t have many horses, but she can get runners ready off the bench and this one has some early speed; #2 DYNADEE (5-1): Ran second last time out, albeit with what looked like a perfect trip on an easy lead through manageable fractions. Inside-drawn speed is an asset in these two-turn turf races, but there are some genuine stamina concerns here.

R6

Dr. Kraft (MTO)
Cosmic Year
Zulu Kingdom

#9 COSMIC YEAR (6-1): Didn’t win as an odds-on favorite in his U.S. debut at Monmouth, but he had a lot going against him. He came off a long break and had to close in a race with a very moderate tempo. The Grade 3 Kelso seems to have quite a bit of speed, which should help him, and I think he’ll be sharper after that tune-up; #1 ZULU KINGDOM (5/2): Was bet like he couldn’t lose the Grade 3 Poker, but Flavien Prat might’ve gotten a bit too cute in a short field. He’s certainly got the ability to win, and he likes this turf course, but I’m worried the abundance of early zip in this field may make things tough for him; #3 MY BOY PRINCE (9/2): Stretches back out to two turns after tackling some very fast turf sprinters earlier this year. He won the Grade 2 Shakertown at Keeneland, was fifth in the Grade 1 Jaipur, and has shown a mile isn’t completely out of his range.

R7

Liberty’s Advance
Luckbeourlady
Midnight Honor

#8 LIBERTY’S ADVANCE (5/2): Ran into a buzzsaw in her return to the races last month, but still put forth an OK effort to be third that day. She gets Lasix for the first time second off the bench and has every right to move forward for Bill Mott and Junior Alvarado; #2 LUCKBEOURLADY (4-1): Debuts for Miguel Clement, whose numbers with first-time starters are excellent. If there’s any hesitation here, it’s because her pedigree seems to indicate she might want longer than this six-furlong trip, but this doesn’t seem like a bad spot to get her started; #1 MIDNIGHT HONOR (5-1): Sold for a hefty $195,000 tag across the street in 2024 and has some solid gate drills ahead of her unveiling. Barclay Tagg isn’t known for success with first-time starters, and the rail draw is a concern for a debuting horse, but it’s also possible this daughter of Army Mule bearing the Sackatoga colors made popular by Funny Cide and Tiz the Law has talent.

R8

Damon’s Mound (MTO)
Bring Theband Home
Twenty Six Black

#1 BRING THEBAND HOME (7/2): Hasn’t run since a clunker in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, but returns to his favorite turf course for an attempt at a second straight win in the Harvey Pack. The long layoff is a concern, but he hasn’t done a single thing wrong in three starts over this surface, and dismiss inside speed at your own peril; #4 TWENTY SIX BLACK (3-1): Ran well to be fourth in the Grade 1 Jaipur behind Reef Runner and Ag Bullet despite a wide trip. He’s certainly talented enough to win this, and he’s run well at this route in the past, but short-priced closers in turf sprints make me nervous; #2 BOSS SULLY (5-1): Ships in from California and has shown he can take his game on the road. He was a close-up second in a Grade 2 at Churchill last year, and Joel Rosario sees fit to fly in for the mount.

R9

Le Gris (MTO)
Offlee Naughty
Noble Dynasty

#8 OFFLEE NAUGHTY (10-1): Has a few qualities I like a lot in the Sunday nightcap. He’s run his best races going marathon distances, so this 12-furlong journey won’t be too much for him. There also does seem to be some speed signed on, and if there’s any sort of tempo up front, this may be the one they have to hold off late; #10 NOBLE DYNASTY (5/2): Stretches out on a drop in class after running fifth in the Grade 3 Pennine Ridge. He’s got some talent, and getting Lasix back is a plus, but he’s also a 3-year-old going against older for the first time, at a distance he’s never traveled before. If you want to bet him, demand value; #1 MIZTERTONIC (4-1): Finished a distant third in the Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup going two miles, so at least we know this distance won’t be what beats him. He is, however, a bit camera-shy, with just one win in his last eight outings (and that came in a first-level allowance for state-breds).

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $973

You might not know of Robin Howlett, but he’s done much, much more to try to grow the game than some who are paid to do so. A few years ago, he created a free program called Handycapper that Equibase shut down with a tactless cease-and-desist.

He’s back with a game called 14-0. It’s similar to recent games that have popped up for basketball and baseball where you spin for teams and eras and pick the best players to fit certain positions. Here, you go through four decades of Breeders’ Cup winners and attempt to pick the most complete lineup.

I believe I posted the first 14-0 mark in the game’s history Thursday night, and I’ve been trying to replicate that feat ever since. It’s an addictive game fans of the sport’s champions will love. One quick tip: Don’t rush to fill your Classic spot unless you roll 2022 (and can pick up Flightline). That race has, by far, the most horses with ratings at 130 or higher. Concentrate on other races with less depth instead!

FRIDAY’S RESULTS: The first bad beat of the season came on the first day. Petrolo was clear turning for home, but wound up third in a three-horse photo. I dropped $27.

SATURDAY’S PLAY: I’ll look to capitalize on back-to-back races where I have strong opinions. I think #11 VAN VOLLENHOVEN is a vulnerable favorite in the sixth, and that #8 ABASHIRI is very likely winner of the seventh (the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks). I’ll play $10 doubles that start with #2 CRISTOBAL, #4 TRUMAN’S COMMANDER, and #5 RHYTON, and end with Abashiri as a single.

TOTAL WAGERED: $30.

Want to leave a tip? Click here to send it via Venmo!

SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Grace and Grit, Race 4
Longshot: Tiztastic, Race 8

R1

Mashallah
Lovely Christina
Lightscape

#4 MASHALLAH (3/5): Looks like a logical favorite in the Saturday lid-lifter, and she’ll be a short price. Her debut at Keeneland was smashing, but she regressed going a mile at Churchill. Shortening up should help her quite a bit, and anything close to the debut would make her very, very hard to beat; #3 LOVELY CHRISTINA (5/2): Ran well here twice last summer before finishing fifth in the Grade 1 Frizette, and we haven’t seen her since that performance. Todd Pletcher brings her back off a steady string of works downstate, and perhaps she’s moved forward since last year; #5 LIGHTSCAPE (15-1): May be worth a look underneath at a big price. She won first time out for Tom Proctor in Florida before trying stakes company twice. She cuts back and gets Lasix here, and we know she can pass others late.

R2

Brunch With Amy (MTO)
Accent
Eponine

#2 ACCENT (8/5): Drops in out of stakes races for Chad Brown and gets Lasix again. She’s 3-for-3 running with that medication, and she’s shown some versatility, which should help on the inner turf. Flavien Prat rides back, and she looks imposing; #4 EPONINE (5/2): Had plenty of trouble last time out, when she blew the break and came flying to be beaten just a neck. On one hand, she’s clearly eligible to improve second off the bench, but on the other, she hasn’t won in quite a while (since February of 2025); #5 MAKE YOU MINE (6-1): Is the “other Chad” in here, and there’s plenty to like despite a very, very long layoff. She adds Lasix in her U.S. debut, which is often a powerful angle, and her debut back in France was very good (albeit almost a year and a half ago).

R3

Moonlit (MTO)
Shelzawa
Nonconsecutivetrms

#6 SHELZAWA (5/2): Came off the bench last time and closed into a slow pace over a turf course where it really helped to be forward. Chad Brown runs two in here, this is where Prat lands, and there should at least be some pace for her to chase; #8 NONCONSECUTIVETRMS (7/2): Makes her first start since December for Brendan Walsh and ran fairly well several times as a 2-year-old. The winners of her last three races all came back to win at next asking, and this one has shown some tactical speed that could help her; #2 FANGO CREEK (8-1): Was one-paced in her debut, which featured a pretty slow early pace. Bill Mott’s horses tend to move forward with experience, and the 8-1 morning line hits me as a slight overlay.

R4

Grace and Grit
Queens Cat
Britain

#8 GRACE AND GRIT (7/2): Hasn’t run a bad one since going to the Amelia Green barn, earning two wins and two seconds in four starts. She was second at this level last time out, but she was well back on a day where it paid to be forwardly-placed. Assuming a fair racetrack and the lively pace that looks to materialize, I think she’s a very likely winner; #5 QUEENS CAT (6-1): Reeled off three wins in a row at Finger Lakes before coming here and trying turf last month. That didn’t work out, but she’s back to her preferred surface, and her regular rider from Finger Lakes takes a ride in; #7 BRITAIN (4-1): Tried stakes company back in January and was eased that day. We haven’t seen her since, but she’s been working consistently at Monmouth for a high-percentage barn and runs against New York-breds for the first time after three races against open company.

R5

Vissino
Waggley
Ashcroft Lane

#5 VISSINO (6-1): Comes into the Grade 3 Sanford off of a debut where he showed me quite a bit of things I like to see. Not only did he close at first asking, but he overcame quite a bit of trouble and showed maturity. At this point, who these horses have been running against is anyone’s guess, but this is where I land; #1 WAGGLEY (6-1): Hasn’t done anything wrong to this point, as she’s gone 2-for-2 for Wesley Ward. One of those victories was a stakes win over the boys at Churchill Downs, and Ward has been one of the top 2-year-old trainers in the game for quite a while now; #7 ASHCROFT LANE (5-1): Splashed home by nearly 10 lengths in an off-the-turf race downstate. There are questions here given the circumstances, but the last-out bullet drill across the street inspires some confidence, and perhaps he’s moving forward with a start under his belt.

R6

Cristobal
Truman’s Commander
Rhyton

#2 CRISTOBAL (9/2): Is one of several coming back from the same race, and he’s never run a bad one here in three tries. His fast-closing third was his first start since November, he comes in off of a last-out bullet drill, and I think a step forward is in the offing; #4 TRUMAN’S COMMANDER (5-1): Didn’t get his desired trip last time out. He’s shown quite a bit of early speed, but he broke fairly slowly and was wide before finishing with interest. He’s another that should be sharper in his second start off a long break; #5 RHYTON (6-1): Probably lost all chance at the break in that event, which, like my other top two, doubled as his first try in a while. Flavien Prat hops on for Miguel Clement, and he’s another I like more than likely favorite #11 VAN VOLLENHOVEN (7/2), who got a perfect trip that day and just couldn’t get the job done.

R7

Abashiri
Faithful Departed
Imaginationthelady

#8 ABASHIRI (5/2): Ships in for powerhouse connections and has been running against some of the best 3-year-old fillies in Europe. She was most recently third behind division leader Precise in the Group 1 Irish 1,000 Guineas, and while this field in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks is far from bad, I think it’s a class drop; #4 FAITHFUL DEPARTED (5-1): Has taken steps forward at several points and won the swiftly-run Grade 3 Regret at Churchill last time out. Jose Ortiz is 2-for-2 aboard this filly, and it’s possible she’s just hitting her stride for a smaller, but very capable, barn; #10 IMAGINATIONTHELADY (4-1): Drew terribly for this one but has done very little wrong to this point. She took the Grade 2 Edgewood on Kentucky Oaks Day, and if there’s a battle up front early on, she figures to be the main beneficiary.

R8

Hit Show
Tiztastic
Antiquarian

#8 HIT SHOW (5-1): Stretches out to his preferred 10-furlong trip in the Grade 2 Suburban, and I think that’ll make all the difference. He’s a plodder that has done his best work at this distance, most notably winning last year’s Group 1 Dubai World Cup over Forever Young. A grinder with a special place in my heart dating back to the 2023 Wood Memorial (thanks, Lord Miles), I think he’s logical; #5 TIZTASTIC (12-1): Got back on the beam with a late-running optional claiming score at Churchill and comes back up the ladder. Toss the turf efforts in the back half of last year, and his form looks considerably better. Factor in the legitimate pace he’s likely to get here, and I think he could come running late at a price; #7 ANTIQUARIAN (3-1): Took down last year’s Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup and will likely be favored, but I have doubts. Compared to the rest of that field, he got a dream trip that day. It’s not like he can’t win, but I’d need about double the price I’m likely to get in order to recommend him as an option.

R9

Pacific Avenue
West End Kid
Remember Mamba

#6 PACIFIC AVENUE (6-1): Most recently ran third behind the world-class Gstaad in the Group 1 Irish 2,000 Guineas. Like barn buddy Abashiri, it just feels like he’s been running against better company than what he’ll face in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby, and I’d gladly take the 6-1 price if I can get it come post time; #8 WEST END KID (3-1): Has won three in a row and captured the Grade 3 Pennine Ridge in professional fashion. He did sit an ideal trip near a pretty slow pace, but his tactical speed is certainly an asset, and this barn has been firing on all cylinders this year; #3 REMEMBER MAMBA (7/2): Won his first three starts before settling for second behind the very talented Stark Contrast in the Grade 1 American Turf. This is one of several extremely good 3-year-olds for the Cherie DeVaux barn, and there does seem to be some pace signed on, which is good news for him.

R10

Capital Idea
Tarantino
Full Screen

#7 CAPITAL IDEA (4-1): Has shown he likes the Wilson chute more than most of these horses (and, to be honest, more than most handicappers). He went 2-for-2 at this quirky configuration last summer, he’s run fairly well against much better horses in each of his last three tries, and he gets to run with Lasix coming back to what’s probably the right level; #2 TARANTINO (8-1): Cut back to one turn last time out and took advantage of it, showing some speed and getting back to the winner’s circle for the first time in a while. Inside speed is very dangerous out of the chute, and I think he could provide some value; #3 FULL SCREEN (7/2): Was a one-paced fourth as a favorite last time out. I wasn’t crazy about him that day given a puzzling class drop after a two-back stakes win, but he was claimed that day by Saffie Joseph, who does outstanding work with new acquisitions, and the recent bullet drill jumps off the page.

R11

Silly Season
Morning Prayer
Zap That Ghost

#11 SILLY SEASON (2-1): Looms large in the nightcap despite a tricky outside post. She had a terrible break in her debut, but still nearly managed to win after rating behind a slow pace. We haven’t seen her since, but Prat rides for Chad Brown and the last-out work hints that she’s ready to run; #1 MORNING PRAYER (7/2): Had every chance last time out, when she hit the front in the stretch before settling for second money. She’s got some speed and has an inside draw, which can be a lethal combination over the inner turf; #8 ZAP THAT GHOST (10-1): Ran against a bias in her debut last time, but still managed to pass several horses after racing in last most of the way. Jose Ortiz’s presence is noteworthy, as he likely had a few options, and this may be where exotics value lies.