BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,138.83

Unfortunately, I need to use this space on a Saturday to reiterate a point I have to keep making because there’s one particular, inconvenient, three-part question that’s getting missed or ignored by too many people.

On Friday, the Thoroughbred Daily News published a letter to the editor written by industry stalwart Barry Weisbord. In it, he lobbied for veterinary data to be made public, which is a stance I can get behind (especially given my prior work with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, which is the gold standard for transparency in the industry). However, he also put forth the notion that Marshall Gramm may have wound up doing horse racing a favor.

While that sounds wonderful, that’s not how this works. Gramm extensively accessed private data he was not authorized to view or use, which is bad enough. We know, though, that he sent that information to at least one other person who spread it around. After all, the Twitter user known as SwiftHitter had to get those screenshots from somewhere.

That inconvenient three-part question I mentioned earlier: Who received those files, what did they do with the ill-gotten information those files contained, and which owners, contest players, handicappers, and other industry figures were hurt by not having access to those files and going up against people who did (and, by extension, may have cause for one heck of a class-action lawsuit)?

FRIDAY’S RESULTS: Right idea, wrong execution. I was correct to go against Island Town, who failed as an odds-on favorite, but I had the incorrect alternatives. After scratches, I dropped $30.

SATURDAY’S PLAY: I’ll focus on the eighth, where #9 MARIA CALLAS will be a key horse. I’ll have a $20 win bet on her, and I’ll key her in $5 exactas above #3 ARINATA, #5 VERNON VALLEY, and #11 TUTHILLTOWN. I’ll also key her on top of $1 trifecta tickets that go as follows: 9 with 3,5,11 with 1,3,5,6,8,11.

TOTAL WAGERED: $50.

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SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Maria Callas, Race 8
Longshot: River Empress, Race 5

R1

Modest Maclean
Big Frosty
Just Tipsy

#6 MODEST MACLEAN (8/5): Is the one I like the most of the two likely favorites. He debuted with a strong effort going seven furlongs and was beaten just a neck. Jose Ortiz rides back for Linda Rice, and he looks like the main speed out of the Wilson chute, which is always dangerous; #4 BIG FROSTY (8-1): Goes turf to dirt for Todd Pletcher, and he made up a lot of ground last time out going two turns at Aqueduct. Whether or not his turf form will translate to success on the main track is anyone’s guess, but at least he’s shown some potential and may offer some value; #3 JUST TIPSY (10-1): Was fourth in the race my top pick exits in his first effort since February. He could step forward second off the bench, and being drawn inside of the other main contenders in the Saturday lid-lifter could help him.

R2

Asbury Park
Arkhipov
Rothschild

#4 ASBURY PARK (2-1): Has only run once since October, and that came in the Grade 1 Turf Classic at Churchill Downs. Those waters proved way too deep off the bench, and he returns to the optional claiming ranks for this one. Manny Franco rode him to victory two back in the Grade 2 Jockey Club Derby, and his best race would give him a big chance; #7 ARKHIPOV (3-1): Completes a powerful 1-2 punch for Chad Brown, and Flavien Prat winds up here. He’s ridden this gelding in his last three starts, including a professional win two back and a second-place finish last time out at this route; #1 ROTHSCHILD (5-1): Hasn’t won in a long, long time, but he looks like the potential lone speed, which is always dangerous in marathons on the inner turf. Luis Saez hopping aboard may signal the intent to go early, and he could lead them a long way.

R3

Powerline
Art Museum
Got Tough

#1 POWERLINE (8/5): Was rank in his debut, but still managed to run second behind a very well-meant first-time starter. Offspring of Flightline have been a bit green of late, but it’s safe to assume he learned a lot from his first start to date, and any sort of improvement would make him formidable; #8 ART MUSEUM (4-1): Is one of two seven-figure auction buys debuting for Chad Brown in this event. This son of Into Mischief is out of a Grade 2-winning router, and that dam is kin to Grade 1-winning 2-year-old Wicked Whisper, among others. It won’t be a surprise if he’s got talent; #3 GOT TOUGH (8-1): Debuted in the race my top pick exits, where he ran a distant third after falling back around the turn and re-rallying. He adds blinkers here, and he’s another for whom an experience edge could make a significant difference.

R4

Americanexpression
Five Dozen Roses
Heads in Beds

#1 AMERICANEXPRESSION (2-1): Won his local debut, and while that was a maiden claimer, that day’s third-place finisher came back to graduate at next asking. Ricardo Santana, Jr., rides back for Phil Antonacci, and while this is a step up in class, it’s not like this restricted claimer has attracted any monsters; #6 FIVE DOZEN ROSES (9/2): Graduated against state-breds last time out and runs for Linda Rice, whose barn has been on fire of late. I don’t think she beat much that day, but she also ran reasonably well at this route last summer and may have gotten better since then; #2 HEADS IN BEDS (3-1): Was favored at this level downstate and cuts back a bit after setting the pace and fading to finish sixth of eight. That was her first try since November, and she could be sharper here, but this barn has been ice-cold for most of the summer and I’m not inclined to take her at a short price.

R5

Lil Tipsy (MTO)
River Empress
U Vicky

#2 RIVER EMPRESS (10-1): Drops in for a tag after finishing sixth in what hit me as a decent race for the level on the Fourth of July. Luis Saez sees fit to ride, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she shows a bit more early interest. If she does, she has back races that say she could be a major player at a price; #6 U VICKY (6-1): Didn’t get much of a pace to close into last time out, when she was fourth running for a $100,000 tag. Jose Ortiz rides back, and while the race shape may not play to her true strengths, the class drop could sure wake her up; #11 DEVILISH GRIN (6-1): Has certainly had chances at 0-for-10 lifetime, but she ran well to be third last time out after racing 20 lengths off the pace early on. She needs a scratch to draw in, but if she does, she could take a step forward given the addition of blinkers.

R6

Very Clever
Key Colony Beach
Mysticious

#11 VERY CLEVER (5-1): Is one of several first-time starters in this loaded event, and I prefer her to all the rest. She gets a helpful outside draw in her unveiling, she’s been working extremely well for Brad Cox, and she’s kin to, among others, multiple Grade 1 winner Matareya; #4 KEY COLONY BEACH (7/2): Ran well in her debut, when she finished second in the slop here last month. She’s since worked twice at Churchill Downs, Manny Franco hops aboard, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see this $650,000 auction purchase improve second time out; #8 MYSTICIOUS (6-1): Was second in her unveiling a few weeks ago, and she re-rallied a bit in the stretch that day after getting passed. This barn’s horses tend to move forward with experience, and she showed enough grit first time out to make me think there’s some potential here.

R7

Gunmetal
Cat On Time
Over and Ollie

#7 GUNMETAL (9/2): Is a tepid top pick in what hits me as a wide-open sprint. Consider only his races on Lasix, and his form looks significantly better. Those four races include three wins and a third, including a solid last-out score at Churchill Downs. If new trainer Amelia Green has him ready, he’ll have every chance; #2 CAT ON TIME (9/2): Won three in a row before trying top-notch company in the Grade 2 Vanderbilt. This is probably the right level for him, and being able to run with Lasix again could be what he needs to put forth his best effort; #5 OVER AND OLLIE (6-1): Ran second in a pair of races at this level downstate and attracts Flavien Prat in his return to the Spa. He’s 2-for-3 here, and his lone loss came in last year’s Grade 1 Forego against much better competition.

R8

Lightning Strike (MTO)
Maria Callas
Tuthilltown

#9 MARIA CALLAS (5-1): Had a few excuses last time out, when she underwent a pre-race shoe repair in her first start since November. Still, she ran a decent third behind a next-out winner. I’m expecting a big step forward here given more readiness and less pre-race activity for top-tier connections; #11 TUTHILLTOWN (4-1): Rallied from 11th of 12 to be second beaten just a half-length in her first try against winners. That was a stiff class test, but she ran very well that day, and if the speed horses set fast fractions, this is the one that could benefit the most; #5 VERNON VALLEY (12-1): Almost certainly needed her last-out clunker, which came in the race my second choice exits. That was her first try since September, and she made a bit of a middle move before flattening out. I’m expecting a better run here at a price for a trainer that excels with similar stock second off the bench.

R9

Stimulate
Silver Talent
Enforced Agenda

#5 STIMULATE (5/2): Had every reason to need his return to the races last time out, but he ran very well to break his maiden, and that day’s third-place finisher came back to graduate next time out. Bill Mott’s taken his time with this son of Tapit and Grade 1 winner Elate, and another move forward could be in the offing; #6 SILVER TALENT (5-1): Is also a regally-bred colt, being by Constitution and out of Grade 1 winner Paulassilverlining. His two-back maiden win at this distance was sharp, and the addition of blinkers may help him focus in his fourth career start; #7 ENFORCED AGENDA (10-1): Hasn’t run since January, doesn’t draw particularly well coming out of the Wilson chute, and may be a price. However, his recent works look outstanding, he gets Lasix for the first time, and he may have lost all chance at the break in his most recent outing.

R10

Scalable (MTO)
Segesta
Play With Fire

#6 SEGESTA (7/5): Is one of three Chad Brown trainees in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa and will likely be a pretty heavy favorite, and for good reason. She’s a Grade 1 winner who just missed in the Diana last month, and if she runs her usual race beneath Flavien Prat, the race is probably for second money; #4 PLAY WITH FIRE (15-1): Goes second off the bench for Brown, and her return to the races was a solid effort. She was second behind a stakes-caliber runner that day, she figures to be more ready for this spot, and it’s not often we see these connections at this type of a price; #2 SUNLIT UPLANDS (10-1): Makes her U.S. debut and was most recently seen winning a Group 3 in Germany. Her overseas resume has some strong spots, and Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez sees fit to ride.

R11

Counting Stars
My Gun’s Loaded
A. P.’s Girl

#6 COUNTING STARS (1/2): Will be a very, very short price in the Grade 1 Alabama, where a win could all but cement her as the best filly of her crop. She comes in having won two straight Grade 1’s here at the Spa, and her pedigree says the added distance of this event shouldn’t be a problem; #4 MY GUN’S LOADED (3-1): Has put up some gaudy speed figures ahead of this major class test. She’s run well twice in a row coming up the class ladder, and the 10-furlong trip should be to her liking. The question is, is she as good without the use of Lasix?; #5 A. P.’S GIRL (12-1): Has picked up checks in three stakes races since mid-April and may be worth a look underneath. She’s a plodder that shouldn’t have an issue with the distance, and that might be enough to get her a piece of this.

R12

Fango Creek
Secretly Delighted
Osmosis

#4 FANGO CREEK (4-1): Exits a live maiden race on Independence Day where she was third behind a next-out winner. She may have room to improve in just her third career start, and she also looks like she may be able to be on or near the lead in a race without much early speed (at least on paper); #5 SECRETLY DELIGHTED (3-1): Was fourth in the race my top pick exits and gets Lasix for the first time in this spot. She’s yet to run a truly bad race for trainer Mark Casse, and the addition of that medication could mean she’s sitting on a career-best effort in the Saturday nightcap; #8 OSMOSIS (9/2): Hasn’t run since Christmas Eve, when she was beaten just a neck at Gulfstream Park. The layoff is a concern, but among those she beat that day was Lion Lake, who has since become a Grade 3 winner. If she’s ready to run, she could be dangerous.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,168.83

I co-host a weekly podcast called “Drank’n Champagne,” which is available through the On the Wrong Lead network on YouTube and wherever you listen to audio. Generally speaking, we dive into an assortment of racing and gambling matters, and we analyze a multi-race sequence (during the meet at the Spa, we’ve looked at late Pick Five sequences on Friday cards).

It’s been a blast doing this for the last few years, and the OTWL guys have become good friends (they were at my wedding and were responsible for a tie clip commemorating something they really, really wish I’d shut up about!). If you’re not subscribed, go find us and give the shows a listen.

THURSDAY’S RESULTS: Tamino was wide throughout in the second and lost interest. I, meanwhile, lost $28.

FRIDAY’S PLAY: I’ll focus on the fourth and try to beat #2 ISLAND TOWN, who hits me as a vulnerable favorite. My money goes through #5 UNAUTHORIZED and #7 METATRON, as they’ll be on top of $3 exactas that include those two, #1 NASH POTATOES, and Island Town underneath. In addition, I’ll play $3 doubles starting in the fourth with those two and finishing in the fifth with #2 GOOD AIM, #4 ROYAL RESERVE, and #8 FIRE MARSHAL.

TOTAL WAGERED: $36.

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SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Venetta, Race 9
Longshot: Unauthorized, Race 4

R1

Wynstock (MTO)
Cugino
Right to Vote

#3 CUGINO (8/5): May be favored in an optional claiming event that looks much more like a stakes race. He won the Grade 2 Red Smith late last year, and he had every right to need his last-out effort at Colonial. If he’s sharper here, he could be tough to top; #5 RIGHT TO VOTE (5/2): Is a perfect 3-for-3 at the Spa and comes in after two wins in a row. This is a class test for him, to be sure, but he may still have room to move forward. If that improvement materializes, he could prove to be a stakes-quality horse; #1 TIZ DASHING (2-1): Has been running against the likes of Deterministic and Mi Bago in his last several starts. This isn’t the class relief his connections were probably hoping for, and he’s 0-for-4 over this turf course, but he does have back races that more than fit with this group.

R2

Dr. Kraft
Shadow Dragon
Quick to Accuse

#5 DR. KRAFT (3-1): Stretches out for this event out of the Wilson chute and also gets to run with Lasix for the first time in a while. The seven-furlong trip last time out may have been a bit too short for him, and he sure looks like the main early speed. If he’s able to get comfortable up front, he could prove hard to catch; #4 SHADOW DRAGON (7/2): Goes first off the claim for a barn that does well with new acquisitions. He’s another runner with some early speed, and his 14 top-three finishes in 19 starts at this one-mile distance hint that this is what he wants to do; #1 QUICK TO ACCUSE (5-1): Hasn’t won in quite a while, but he’s another with extensive experience at the stakes level and has collected some big checks pretty recently. The local mark is concerning, but he draws well and has done some of his best work going eight furlongs.

R3

Moonlit
Jadorlinija
Hypnotica

#3 MOONLIT (8/5): Is one of two Miguel Clement trainees in this event, and this is the one I prefer. Both cut back from nine furlongs to run here, but she adds blinkers and Manny Franco, and both are changes I like quite a bit; #2 JADORLINIJA (2-1): Is the second Clement-trained runner, and she’s had a few wide trips. She gets a favorable inside draw here, which could help her top a stablemate that beat her by a half-length last time out; #7 HYPNOTICA (4-1): Doesn’t draw well here, but she did take a step forward going long last time out. She goes back to the dirt for Chad Brown, attracts Flavien Prat, and comes in off of a solid half-mile drill several days ago.

R4

Metatron
Unauthorized
Island Town

#7 METATRON (9/2): Is protected from being claimed in his first start since December, and I love when connections take advantage of that rule. This gelding has fired three straight bullets at Fair Hill, Prat hops aboard, and I think there’s plenty to like; #5 UNAUTHORIZED (8-1): Takes a big drop in class to run here after fading to finish last against optional claiming foes. He’s had issues at the gate a few times, but his races two and three back at Oaklawn weren’t bad, and he comes in off of a bullet drill of his own; #2 ISLAND TOWN (2-1): Earned the diploma last time out at Churchill and runs for strong connections, but I have some doubts. He broke his maiden for a $100,000 tag last time out, so what’s he doing running for about a third of that price after some slow workouts at Turfway Park?

R5

Fire Marshal
Royal Reserve
Good Aim

#8 FIRE MARSHAL (4-1): Showed some speed in his debut for a trainer whose horses tend to need a race to get going. Prat rides back at second asking, and I’m expecting a step forward given the experience edge he has over most of this group; #4 ROYAL RESERVE (8-1): Sold for $325,000 at auction earlier this year and has reason to be precocious. He’s a full brother to a debut winner, and being by Central Banker, he’s got a right to be a pretty solid turf horse; #2 GOOD AIM (4-1): Is kin to a stakes-winning sprinter and attracts Jose Ortiz when he may have had several options. Second dam Joint Return was also a very classy runner, and while Presque Isle form sometimes doesn’t travel to Saratoga, he does have a few workouts that hint he may have some talent.

R6

Margie’s Girl (MTO)
Golden Siren
Determined Scholes

#3 GOLDEN SIREN (5/2): Helped set the pace in her debut last month before settling for second behind a good-looking winner. On paper, she looks like the main early speed in this two-turn inner turf race, and that’s always a positive; #2 DETERMINED SCHOLES (5-1): Is an Irish-bred that sold for a pretty penny overseas, and for good reason. She’s kin to English stakes winner Lava Stream, and second dam Montare was a Group 1 winner in France who threw Group 1 winner Journey, among others. The only hesitation here is that this isn’t exactly a “win early” pedigree; #6 DOVES AND HAWKS (9/2): Sold for $300,000 at Keeneland last year and is another bred to love the lawn. This daughter of Twirling Candy is out of a mare that’s a half-sister to Grade 1-winning surfer United and two other stakes winners. The tag team of Chad Brown and Flavien Prat also merits respect.

R7

Georgia Magic
Yo Daddy
Solo Venturi

#6 GEORGIA MAGIC (4-1): Has gotten very good very fast for Steven Schauer, having won two in a row by a combined margin of nearly 11 lengths. This is a step up in class, but he looks like he could be the main early speed. If he gets comfortable, he could get brave; #9 YO DADDY (7/2): Was able to run with Lasix last time and was run down late in a race that seemed to fall apart up front. He’s clearly a better horse with that medication, and he should be able to sit his desired stalking trip given the relative lack of early speed inside of him; #7 SOLO VENTURI (3-1): Comes off the bench for his first start since March, when he was third in the Grade 3 Challenger at Tampa. That two-back optional claimer victory came against a stakes-quality field, and he’s been working consistently in Kentucky for Will Walden ahead of his return.

R8

Roman Grace (MTO)
One Last Knock
Ratu Jawa

#1 ONE LAST KNOCK (4-1): Ran a solid third last time out behind Oscar’s Encore, who came back to run well against stakes foes last weekend. This feels like a softer spot, and her tactical speed may mean she gets an ideal position early on beneath Kendrick Carmouche; #4 RATU JAWA (15-1): Scratched out of a stakes race and merits a look at a big price. She wasn’t beaten much by my top pick last time out, and that came on a day where she had trouble out of the gate. If there’s a battle up front, she could come rolling late; #2 STAR OF LIFE (8-1): Makes her North American debut for Mark Casse after running in England and Italy. I’m not quite sure what she’s been running against, but her works seem solid enough, and I’m just not sold on #3 BOSTON’S PHINEST (7/5), who seems like a very vulnerable favorite coming up out of state-bred competition.

R9

Venetta
New York Special
Iron Orchard

#3 VENETTA (5/2): Feels like one of only a few doing what she actually wants to do in the Fleet Indian. She stretched out to two turns with aplomb in the New York Oaks at Finger Lakes, while many of her rivals are trying something completely new with this nine-furlong distance. She’s already proven going this route, and she may still have room to get better; #6 NEW YORK SPECIAL (12-1): Was third in a two-turn stakes race on turf last time out, so at least we know the distance shouldn’t be a problem. She may prefer the grass, but her first-out effort on the main track at Aqueduct wasn’t bad, so perhaps she’s one to look for at a price; #4 IRON ORCHARD (3-1): Won the Grade 1 Frizette last year but has been struggling to find that form ever since. Her fourth-place finish in the Johnstone wasn’t awful, and she does have the speed to be prominent early, but I’m not convinced this route is really what she wants.

R10

Promise Me Amelody (MTO)
Ganderella
Fifty Shades Free

#1 GANDERELLA (5-1): Came back off the bench and ran a solid third at a big price in a similar spot last month. This barn got off the duck Wednesday, and a step forward second off the bench could give them a chance at another score in a wide-open Friday nightcap; #4 FIFTY SHADES FREE (6-1): Is one of two Jorge Abreu trainees in this spot, and she could be well-meant in her debut. Her dam is kin to multiple graded stakes winner Hot Summer, who’s thrown six multiple winners from as many foals to race, and Prat seeing fit to ride hits me as a vote of confidence; #7 AMAZING GRACER (4-1): Was second in the race my top pick exits, and Manny Franco rides back. She’s found trouble on several occasions, but she got a clean trip last time, and another one could give her a shot to earn the diploma. 

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,194.83

The expression “dog days of summer” gets thrown around in baseball quite a bit as players go through the grind of a 162-game season. If such a thing exists at Saratoga, we’re in them, as Thursday’s card is the second straight one of the eight-race variety and the program, on the whole, looks incredibly chalky.

This is nobody’s fault. Horses that ran in the first few weeks of the meet either aren’t ready to come back yet or are being aimed for tough spots over the last few weekends. Still, cards like these aren’t what players actively seeking value want, and it makes sections like these even more tricky.

(Side note: My stepsister is headed up to the track Thursday, so there’s more pressure on me than usual. Love you, Jenn. Have a blast!)

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS: Pick Fours and doubles fizzled, and I was left with a $20 win bet on a 5/2 morning line favorite that got bet all the way down to 3/5. Paula’s Choice did win, which softened the blow, but I still dropped $16.

THURSDAY’S PLAY: I’ll focus on the second race, where I’m hoping we can get the 7/2 morning line price on #8 TAMINO, my best bet of the day. I’ll have a $20 win bet on him, and I’ll key him in $2 exactas above and below #3 INTO DIAMONDS and #6 LIGHT FANTASTIC.

TOTAL WAGERED: $28.

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SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Tamino, Race 2
Longshot: Gracie’s Delight, Race 8

R1

Oath
Jayme’s Turn
Ms Nikki D

#6 OATH (9/5): Is one of several imposing-looking favorites on the Thursday program. She drops down in class for this one and looks like the controlling speed. Linda Rice and Manny Franco have been winning a lot lately, and they could find themselves in the winner’s circle again; #5 JAYME’S TURN (3-1): Is the “other” Rice trainee in this field, and she most recently ran fourth for a slightly larger tag a few weeks ago. Blinkers come off for this event, and she’s another that could be forwardly-placed early on; #3 MS NIKKI D (6-1): Is coming off of a career-best effort, where she ran third against similar going seven furlongs. She’s a closer, which I don’t usually love in races out of the Wilson chute, but at the very least, she’s been reasonably competitive in a similar spot.

R2

Tamino
Into Diamonds
Light Fantastic

#8 TAMINO (7/2): Runs on turf for the first time since his first two career starts in early-2025 at Santa Anita. He ran second on both occasions, and getting back to the lawn could be a big, big plus (especially against a field of restricted claimers that doesn’t seem to include any world-beaters); #3 INTO DIAMONDS (9/2): Goes second off a long layoff and takes a big drop in class. He showed some potential in 2024 and 2025 before going to the sidelines, and running for a tag for the first time could wake him up; #6 LIGHT FANTASTIC (3-1): Cuts back from a route to a sprint, and he has back races going short that aren’t bad. One of those was a third-place finish at this route last summer, and this feels like what he wants to do.

R3

Max O Nidas
Parkridge
Maddenbleu

#3 MAX O NIDAS (8/5): Debuts for Steve Asmussen off of a very strong bullet drill at Churchill. Jose Ortiz sees fit to ride, which could be a clue, and while this $40,000 purchase debuting for $35,000 is a bit of a red flag, he probably doesn’t have to be much to win on debut; #4 PARKRIDGE (4-1): Did no running in his debut and takes a drop into the maiden claiming ranks at second asking. Bill Mott trainees often need a race to get going, and his numbers with similar class-droppers are very, very strong; #6 MADDENBLEU (5/2): Debuts for Linda Rice, whose numbers with first-time starters are just so-so. However, this barn has been winning with everything in sight lately, first-call rider Manny Franco will be aboard, and the most recent gate drill looks reasonably promising.

R4

Cash Burn
Dry Drastic
Secret Connection

#4 CASH BURN (8/5): Hammered for $370,000 last year and comes in off of a series of very strong drills ahead of her debut for Chad Brown. This daughter of Nyquist is out of a debut winner, and her second dam, Maddalena, was also a first-out winner who added a Grade 3 stakes race; #2 DRY DRASTIC (2-1): Makes her first start for George Weaver and has enticed Hall of Famer John Velazquez to ride. Her dirt works look solid, and this barn can certainly win with first-time starters, but I’m wondering what the story is behind two recent works on the grass; #5 SECRET CONNECTION (5-1): Was bet to 7/2 in her debut but didn’t do much running that day, finishing eighth of 10. Improvement may be coming at second asking from this $90,000 auction purchase, and it’s worth noting that Manny Franco sees fit to hop aboard.

R5

No Compromise (MTO)
Deported
Oligarch

#7 DEPORTED (8/5): Makes his U.S. debut for Wesley Ward, whose numbers this summer aren’t great. However, he gets Lasix for the first time, which can definitely move a horse forward, and he’s facing a group that just hasn’t accomplished much; #3 OLIGARCH (5-1): Ran well two and three back before being compromised by a wide trip last time out. He gets a more friendly draw here and should be forwardly-placed, and we may get a bit of value here given the last-out clunker; #1 HIMOTHY (10-1): Goes back to the dirt and should be on or near the lead early on, given the inside draw and the presence of Kendrick Carmouche. He led most of the way three back against a better group, and if he gets comfortable, he could be the one they have to run down turning for home.

R6

Valtellina
Sweetest Princess
Hello Beauty

#2 VALTELLINA (1-1): Takes a massive drop in class after tackling graded stakes company last time out. Her effort two back in the Critical Eye was very good, and while she’s a closer in this Wilson chute race, her numbers dwarf those of her competition and she may be able to be a bit more forward in this optional claimer for state-breds; #3 SWEETEST PRINCESS (5-1): Figures to be prominent early and has four wins at this one-mile distance. Jose Lezcano got on the board this past weekend after a rough start to the summer, and this mare’s inside speed could give him a chance here; #4 HELLO BEAUTY (8-1): Comes back to dirt, which sure looks to be her preferred surface, and gets reunited with Flavien Prat, who guided her to her most recent win in April. I’m not sure she’s faster than my second choice, but the cutback in distance to one she’s won at in the past should help her, and the morning line price is an attractive one.

R7

Sculcos Folly (MTO)
A Little At First
Jaxer

#3 A LITTLE AT FIRST (3-1): May have moved a bit early in the Rick Violette and gets another shot at this level in the Cab Calloway. Javier Castellano is 2-for-3 on him, and he’s back aboard here. He could sit an ideal stalking trip, and a little more patience might get him home; #7 JAXER (5/2): Got pretty good near the end of last year, when he rallied to take the Notebook over a solid group. He hasn’t raced since, but this is a patient barn that’s heated up of late, and Flavien Prat sees fit to ride when he likely had several options in the Thursday feature; #1 CHUMMERS (3-1): Went from winning a restricted claimer to winning a stakes race when he sprang a mild upset in the Rick Violette. He definitely benefited from a fast pace that day, though, and while there’s some speed signed on, deep closers on the inner turf sometimes need quite a bit to go right.

R8

Gracie’s Delight
She’s Got Will
River Tay

#6 GRACIE’S DELIGHT (8-1): Goes up in class, but does so first off the claim for Linda Rice after a runaway score at Keeneland. Her early speed is a plus, and she’s been working very, very well since coming to New York. If she breaks on top beneath John Velazquez, she could forget to stop at a price; #2 SHE’S GOT WILL (3-1): Is 2-for-2 over this turf course and goes first off the claim for Brad Cox, who’s one of the best in the country with new acquisitions. Her best race could win this comfortably, but I am a bit concerned that we’ve only seen her once since December and she drops in class in her first try for this outfit; #4 RIVER TAY (10-1): Won four in a row not long ago and cuts back to sprinting, which feels like what she wants to do. She’s a deep closer, which isn’t a great thing, but if they fly early, this one could come rolling late.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,210.83

Once again, a bankroll blurb wrote itself, and once again, it’s because of reasons that couldn’t be worse.

Marshall Gramm, an owner, handicapper, contest player, and prominent figure with contacts in many racing organizations around the country, was outed as having access to past performances that included HISA and veterinary data. These included information on when horses received veterinary treatment and which treatments were administered, data which is not available to the general public.

HISA issued one statement Monday, Gramm issued another, and I have issues with both. With regard to HISA, others were clearly sent the files Gramm viewed, including a prominent horse racing Twitter personality. Who else got them, how were those files used, and, even more upsettingly, how many bettors and contest players were hurt by the actions of people who had data they couldn’t possess?

Gramm’s statement, meanwhile, is typical “word salad” that downplays the severity of what he did. He got caught, and he’s facing significant punishment. Others who used the information he passed along, though, should be right there with him.

One last thing: Can we, as an industry, please put a permanent end to the philosophy, “the problem is never the problem, it’s people talking about the problem?” HISA initially tried to downplay the existence and use of this data months ago, and to nobody’s surprise, it turned into a much bigger issue. I’ve been a more prominent HISA supporter than most, but they got this wrong, and Gramm shouldn’t be the only one at risk of losing status within the industry.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS: This was a pretty disgusting beat. I was right to go against Greenwell in doubles ending in the fourth race, but my alternatives ran second, third, and fourth. I dropped $40.

WEDNESDAY’S PLAY: There are only eight races, so I can play the late Pick Four without troubling my editors too much. My 50-cent ticket starts in the fifth and goes as follows: 2,3,5,6 with 2,3,4,5,8 with 4,7 with 3. In addition, I’ll also play $5 late doubles using the horses in the last half of that ticket, plus a $20 win bet on #3 PAULA’S CHOICE (my best bet of the day) in the nightcap.

TOTAL WAGERED: $50.

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SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Best Bet: Paula’s Choice, Race 8
Longshot: Engraved, Race 5

R1

All Class
Save Us Melania
Street View

#5 ALL CLASS (2-1): Drops down in class for aggressive connections and returns to a track where she ran well twice a year ago. She hasn’t won in a while, but her running lines include some serious horses, and this seems like the right level for her to get back on track; #2 SAVE US MELANIA (9/5): Is one of two Linda Rice trainees in here, and her barn has been red-hot the last few days. She has races from 2025 that would make her very tough if she can find that form again. If there’s hesitation here, it’s because she hasn’t run in six months, but the last work indicates she may be ready; #4 STREET VIEW (9/2): Got claimed back by a small, but highly-astute, barn last time out and cuts back from the Wilson chute to seven furlongs. She ran very, very well at this route for this barn last year, and while those races came a while ago, this barn has had success with her, so dismiss her at your own peril.

R2

Low Country Magic
Pronghorn
Ballerina d’Oro

#2 LOW COUNTRY MAGIC (9/2): Has spent 2026 running against stakes horses and takes a drop in class to run here. She gets to run on Lasix here, which should help her, and her inside-drawn speed is a huge plus coming out of the Wilson chute; #6 PRONGHORN (8/5): Just missed against stakes foes at Oaklawn last time out, and she’s a sensible favorite given some of her past races. If she’d drawn better, she’d probably be my top pick, but the outside draw means she and jockey Jose Ortiz may have some work to do out of the gate; #4 BALLERINA D’ORO (4-1): Is one of two Chad Brown-trained runners in here, and we haven’t seen her since last year’s Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks. She’s been working consistently ahead of her return to the races, and her best race would put her right there, but she’s a deep closer that may want longer (and may need quite a bit to go right).

R3

Hot Gossip
Huck’s Agenda
Sparkling Mama

#7 HOT GOSSIP (4-1): Cuts back from the Wilson chute to this seven-furlong distance, and that hits me as her best game. She rallied to be third in that last-out effort, which came at a configuration that doesn’t often favor closers. Linda Rice and Manny Franco team up, and I think there’s quite a bit to like; #1 HUCK’S AGENDA (4-1): Raced wide in her last start at Ellis Park, which also has a quirky one-mile route. Blinkers go on, as does John Velazquez, and she gets a more favorable inside draw in this spot. All of those factors could move her forward; #3 SPARKLING MAMA (15-1): May be a big price off of a last-out clunker, but she never really had a chance that day. She was drawn outside coming out of the chute and didn’t break well. I’m drawing a line straight through that clunker, and if you do that, her sheet looks quite a bit better.

R4

Gardiner
Mischievous M
Treaty Obligation

#7 GARDINER (8/5): Snuck by last time out when he cruised home against $20,000 claimers and the claim was voided. He’s since worked very well for the past month, and running for that tag allows him to compete here. There’s other speed signed on, but he’s got back races that would easily beat these; #5 MISCHIEVOUS M (5-1): Looks like the main pace presence in this event and posted very fast fractions here last time out. There are stamina issues, to be sure, but this is a class drop, and if anyone’s outpacing him early on, they’re probably going too fast; #3 TREATY OBLIGATION (4-1): Comes back to the dirt and feels like the best closer in this event, which could help him given the likely race shape. This barn has been cold at the meet, but if anyone can benefit from a race collapsing up front, it’s probably this 8-year-old gelding.

R5

Sweetnessthrtyfour (MTO)
Engraved
True Legend

#2 ENGRAVED (6-1): Debuts for Linda Rice and sure looks like he’s got plenty of talent. He sold for $200,000 at auction last year, is kin to one debut winner, and is out of another debut winner (one whose dam was very productive, throwing six winners). Jose Ortiz’s presence is a big plus, too; #6 TRUE LEGEND (7/2): Hasn’t run since a stakes try in December but has a few strong works on his tab, including a very impressive bullet last month going five furlongs. He ran well a few times last year at Aqueduct and figures to be the one they have to catch going into the turn; #3 SULTAN HASSAN (3-1): Was second all the way in his last outing, one where the winner ran well and never came back to the field. That was a significant step forward after a debut where he flashed speed and folded, and more improvement beneath new rider Flavien Prat isn’t out of the question.

R6

South Bend Tom
Sea Vista
Discotheque

#5 SOUTH BEND TOM (9/2): Was favored last time out at this level and route and didn’t run badly, but was fourth beaten a length and a half. Prat sees fit to ride back for a barn that’s proven dangerous over the years here, and he could conceivably step forward in his second start over this surface; #2 SEA VISTA (7/2): Won two of his last three starts before being sold in June and goes out for new trainer Mike Trombetta here. He seemed to be getting reasonably good before then, his recent workouts are sharp, and the presence of Jose Ortiz hints that he’s well-meant; #3 DISCOTHEQUE (9/2): Broke his maiden at 17th asking two back, then nearly made it two in a row when beaten a head at this route last time out. I’m still a bit skeptical (he beat absolutely nothing in that July 17th race), but it’s possible he’s the best he’s ever been, and while he’s won just once, he’s also finished second 10 times.

R7

She’s Country
Combat Move
Morning Prayer

#7 SHE’S COUNTRY (2-1): Comes off a layoff for this division of the New York Stallion Series, and she’s the one to beat if she’s ready to run. George Weaver does well with comebackers, and her tactical speed should be a big advantage going two turns on the inner turf; #4 COMBAT MOVE (6-1): Gets wheeled back quickly for this one and may finally get a chance to run on the lawn, which she’s bred to love. She’s shown talent in two starts on dirt, and I think she may be even better on the grass, which could make her a major player; #3 MORNING PRAYER (7/2): Was put up after what hit me as a pretty terrible disqualification last time out. However, she just missed two back, and that day’s third-place finisher came back to win at next asking. There’s some talent here, and she may not have to move forward much to contend.

R8

Suited Connectors (MTO)
Paula’s Choice
Not Tapping

#3 PAULA’S CHOICE (5/2): Drops in for a tag at second asking after a one-paced fifth in her debut. Making a first career start going nine furlongs isn’t easy, and the top three ran well that day. She adds Lasix, blinkers, and Jose Ortiz, and it also helps that she doesn’t seem to run into a very strong group in the Wednesday finale; #4 NOT TAPPING (8-1): Has run into some trouble in all three of her prior races. She was wide last time out and didn’t have much pace to chase. There is at least a little more speed signed on (at least on paper), and if she’s able to save ground, she could show improvement; #5 BOUNDING ALONG (6-1): Goes dirt-to-turf first off the claim by Rick Dutrow, and the presence of damsire Blame indicates she may move forward on the lawn. She just missed in her debut, which came at this level going seven furlongs, and Dutrow’s one of the best in the game with new acquisitions.

BANKROLL

BANKROLL: $1,250.83

I’m of two minds regarding Sunday’s corgi races at Saratoga. As a way to get people out to the track, it’s fantastic. There’ll be people at the races who otherwise probably wouldn’t attend, and given the current state of the sport, crowds like that are a blessing.

On the other hand, my often-repeated question about marketing in horse racing rears its head: What are we doing, as a sport, to ensure those people keep coming back and want to learn more about the betting aspect of the game? As usual, I fear the answer, on the whole, is, “not nearly enough,” and that worries me. 

If you’re reading this in The Pink Sheet and you’re new to the game, welcome. I’m here every day with analysis, selections, and bankroll plays, and if you want to follow along with my content, you can do so at my website, AndrewChampagne.com. Here’s hoping I give you a few winners today.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS: My Pick Four play was cancelled when a few races were taken off the turf. As a reminder, all plays in this section assume races carded for the grass stay there.

SUNDAY’S PLAY: I’ll focus on my best bet of the day, which comes in the third race. That’s #2 SHE’S A GAMER, and I’ll look to extract value with daily double plays ending in a fourth race where I’m against the morning line favorite. I’ll have $15 doubles singling She’s a Gamer with #2 SUSPEND and #5 REAL RESTRAINT, and $5 “saver” doubles singling her with #7 DIGNIFY and #10 RELATED PARTY.

TOTAL WAGERED: $40.

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SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Best Bet: She’s a Gamer, Race 3
Longshot: Suspend, Race 4

R1

Zapruder
Crescendo’s Rein
Judge Boushay

#1 ZAPRUDER (5/2): Came back to the dirt with aplomb last time out, when he rallied from last to first to win going away at Churchill Downs. This state-bred allowance field is probably comparable to the open $50,000 claimers he ran against last time, and he should get some pace to chase, too; #5 CRESCENDO’S REIN (9/5): Enjoyed a picture-perfect trip in his first time going two turns last time out. He romped by seven lengths at Finger Lakes that day and figures to be forward beneath Flavien Prat. He may still have some room to improve second off the bench for an astute barn; #4 JUDGE BOUSHAY (2-1): Goes two turns for the first time after running second from start to finish last time out of the Wilson chute. That was a strange race where the frontrunners never came back to the field, and while he’s certainly got the tactical speed to sit a great trip, I can’t take a short price on a 3-year-old doing something for the first time against older horses.

R2

Carc Brothers
Willpowered
Oat Coutour

#5 CARC BROTHERS (4/5): Is 3-for-3 to this point in his career, and all three wins have been by daylight. The connections got lucky sneaking him through a $55,000 claimer two back, and he comes into the state-bred ranks to run here. He’ll probably be the shortest price of the day, and I can’t go against him; #2 WILLPOWERED (4-1): Ran well in a pair of June races for Prat and Miguel Clement, and those two tag-team again with him here. He’s yet to run a truly bad race on turf, and he was probably left with too much to do last time, when he rallied from eighth of nine to salvage third money; #1 OAT COUTOUR (6-1): Generally runs the same race every time out and has a pretty potent late kick. He may be a bit pace-dependent, but you generally know what you’re getting with this gelding, and his usual effort may be good enough for a piece of it at a bit of a price.

R3

She’s a Gamer
Coaster
Next On Stage

#2 SHE’S A GAMER (9/5): Sure looks like the main early speed in here and should appreciate the slight cutback to six furlongs. Her most recent work at Monmouth was very, very fast, and I think she’ll get extremely comfortable up front beneath Junior Alvarado; #3 COASTER (9/2): Has been on the shelf for over three months after a professional score at Oaklawn. She’s one of many likely to employ stalking tactics, and if she’s ready to run, she could put my top pick to the test turning for home; #5 NEXT ON STAGE (2-1): Is one of two Linda Rice trainees in this short field, and she exits a runaway score here last month. This, however, hits me as a much tougher spot, and that race was easily the best she’s ever run. She may need to repeat that effort in order to contend here, and even that may not be enough.

R4

Suspend
Real Restraint
Dignify

#2 SUSPEND (8-1): Was one-paced in his debut for Bill Mott, whose runners tend to improve significantly with experience. Everything about him said he was going to need his first effort. He got it, he didn’t run terribly when fifth against a solid group, and a step forward would make him a major player at a bit of a price; #5 REAL RESTRAINT (7/2): Debuts for Brendan Walsh and is bred to be a very good turf horse. He’s kin to turf stakes winner Movin’ On Up, and his dam is a half to Grade 1-winning turfer Harvey’s Lil Goil (as well as Grade 3-winning dirt router Gosger); #7 DIGNIFY (8-1): Hammered for $700,000 at auction across the street last year and has every reason to be a good one. This Todd Pletcher trainee is out of a mare who’s a half to champion Tepin and multiple graded stakes winner Vyjack. If there’s hesitation here, it’s because most of this barn’s talented 2-year-olds debut on dirt, not turf. 

R5

Seeker’s Hope
Red Miller
Lexington Pike

#4 SEEKER’S HOPE (8/5): Takes a big drop in class to run for a $20,000 claiming tag after finishing third for double that price earlier in the meet. He hasn’t won in a while, but he’s got back efforts against better horses that would make him strictly the one to beat for Linda Rice and Manny Franco; #7 RED MILLER (6-1): Chased a runaway winner at this level downstate and would benefit from a pace battle up front, which he’s likely to get. This barn is on the duck as of this writing, but it’s run second and third quite a few times, so it’s not like the horses aren’t running well; #2 LEXINGTON PIKE (10-1): Comes up from Delaware after breaking his maiden in his first race since June. On speed figures, he likely has to improve, but given his relative inexperience, that may still be in the offing, and we may get a square price on a horse that could move forward.

R6

Got Tough (MTO)
Permanent Record
Not Ever

#10 PERMANENT RECORD (4-1): Makes his debut for Chad Brown, who’s brought this European auction purchase to Saratoga. His second dam is a horse named Just the Judge, who won multiple Group 1 races overseas and finished third in a Breeders’ Cup race. The post isn’t ideal, but he’s got every right to have loads of potential; #2 NOT EVER (7/2): Is an Irish-bred son of No Nay Never, and he’s another with a classy female family. His dam was Grade 3-placed in Ireland, and his second dam, Insight, won a Group 2 in France and a Grade 1 in Canada; #1 E Z SPEAKER (8-1): Hammered for $650,000 at auction earlier this year and is kin to a few stakes-caliber horses. There’s definitely class in his bloodlines, and he’s been working steadily, but that pedigree seems to hint he wants to go shorter than today’s two-turn distance.

R7

Private Flight
Turbo Launch
Thundertaker

#4 PRIVATE FLIGHT (2-1): Is a tepid top pick in an absolute mess of a maiden claimer that I wish didn’t kick off the late Pick Four. Alas, we work with what we’ve got, and this gelding goes first off the claim for Linda Rice after some competitive races at this level. Unlike many of his opponents, he’s got some reasons to be optimistic; #8 TURBO LAUNCH (5-1): Tries dirt for the first time and is another from the Rice barn. His two-back effort going long on the lawn at Churchill wasn’t bad, and this is certainly a class drop. Whether or not he can run on dirt is a question mark, but at least we might get a shred of value; #1 THUNDERTAKER (12-1): Merits a look underneath at a price. His last-out effort here in June was awful, but his debut in Indiana wasn’t bad, and that day’s third-place finisher came back to win at next asking. I’d much rather take him at a price than others who will get bet despite looking every bit like horses connections want to move on from.

R8

Whittington Park (MTO)
Inspeightofcharlie
Jack and Jim

#4 INSPEIGHTOFCHARLIE (7/2): Took a step forward last time in his local debut, when he cleared his first-level allowance condition in professional fashion despite being wide turning for home. He’s a consistent sort that’s run some solid races, and Jose Ortiz seeing fit to ride back is a plus; #3 JACK AND JIM (5/2): Threw Manny Franco in his comeback race in June, and the connections will give it another go here. He was 2-for-2 before going to the sidelines after his 2-year-old year, and while this is a tough spot for the level, he certainly can’t be ignored; #12 CONMAN (10-1): Needs some luck to draw in off the AE list, but merits some respect in his comeback race given his strong local record. He’s 2-for-4 with a third at the Spa and has been working well for Tom Morley, who’s been patient with him. If he’s allowed to run, I’ll be using him, especially at his likely price.

R9

Outfielder
Big Destroyer
Intricate Spirit

#2 OUTFIELDER (1-1): Ran 10th in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and should see the Grade 3 Mahony as a significant class drop. When he fires, he’s very dangerous, as evidenced by an impressive score two back at Churchill. If he’s on his game for Wesley Ward, the race may be for second; #5 BIG DESTROYER (5-1): Is one of two Miguel Clement trainees in here, and he hasn’t done much wrong in two prior starts. He won on debut before going to Aqueduct and finishing second against stakes foes. I think he could be on the improve, and seeing Flavien Prat up inspires some confidence; #4 INTRICATE SPIRIT (6-1): Is one of many that had a very strange trip in the Grade 3 Quick Call. He was fifth that day after rating well off of a very hot pace. If he’s able to sit his desired trip and be a bit more forward, he could have a chance to snag a piece of it.

R10

Princip
Projectability
On the Ledge

#3 PRINCIP (6-1): Is certainly pace-dependent and may need a meltdown to have his best chance, but that may very well materialize in what looks like a speed-heavy Sunday nightcap. He takes a class drop out of a $30,000 claimer to run for $16,000 here, and I’m anticipating him moving the right way when the real running starts; #2 PROJECTABILITY (5/2): Drops significantly in class and goes back to dirt for Linda Rice after a misfire against optional claiming foes earlier this month. He reeled off three wins in a row downstate on dirt, and his third-place finish three back came in a pretty fast race; #6 ON THE LEDGE (5-1): Had every right to need his comeback race in April at Aqueduct, as that was his first try in eight months. He comes back to the dirt here, and he’s got races from 2025 that would fit with this group. If he can channel that form, he’ll be in with a shot.