his afternoon does not come with the loaded stakes action of yesterday, but there is still plenty of great action to be had at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. Gulfstream Park of course is back in action after their Pick 5 carryover yesterday, but I have most of my focus on the racing at Saratoga and Ellis Park. Here are a few horses I plan on centering my wagering around. Best of luck to close the holiday weekend!

Saratoga, Race 7 (4:35 PM)

This optional claimer at 5.5-furlongs drew a solid field of turf sprinters led by 2-1-ML favorite #1 Mighty Eriu. The Brendan Walsh trainee has kept better company since arriving in the States, but has been unable to get back to the winner’s circle since besting a field of maiden optional claimers at Fair Grounds at odds of 3-5 in early March. She appeared to be poised for her first victory against winners on June 8 in Louisville, but was more concerned with leaning in than winning the race. Instead of going by the speeds under a perfect trip, she hung badly as the public choice. She adds blinkers and draws the rail, so expect new jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. to try to send her to the front, but I still do not trust her.
#9 Lady d’Oro is far from a win machine herself, but should offer better value than Mighty Eriu. The Catholic Boy filly moves into the Michael Miceli barn after a pair of underneath finishes to kick off her 2025 season. Both recent losses have come to a Brittany Russell trainee named Mendrel that has rattled off back-to-back career best efforts since moving to the grass and is 3 for 5 overall. Hopefully, the pace is honest. If so, she should be rolling late under jockey Joel Rosario.

Play: #9 Lady d’Oro (9-2 ML)

//

Ellis Park, Race 4

There appears to be another vulnerable ML favorite in this two-turn MSW turf race in Kentucky where #4 Baytown Dreamer is listed as the 2-1-choice after three races sprinting over the main track. He made a solid account of himself in his first two races going 4.5 and 5 panels before being outrun in the Tremont at Saratoga. The son of Mendelssohn is clearly capable of using his experience to his advantage, but this is not a barn that has had much success when moving horses from dirt-to-turf. In fact, trainer Paul McEntee is just 1 for 72 doing so over the last 5 years. He is as tough to trust at his price as Mighty Eriu is.
A few first-time starters appear to have what it takes to be successful in a turf route debut, but I like #8 Mykonos most. The half-brother to Trikari did not command much at the Keeneland January sale, but has some strong dam side influences. More importantly, trainer Mike Maker has begun to quietly heat up. The former D. Wayne Lukas assistant has won 11 of 50 over the last 15 days and this colt fits as well as anyone. Hopefully jockey Edgar Morales can avoid a wide voyage throughout.

Play: #8 Mykonos (10-1 ML)

//

Race 8: Pea Patch Stakes

The feature on the first Sunday card at Ellis Park is the appropriately named Pea Patch Stakes since soybeans and other crops were once grown in the track’s infield. I have absolutely zero desire to hurt anything physically, but blowing up the proverbial tote board in the finale with #11 Grade A would certainly be fun. The Florida-bred is far from the likeliest winner of this full field dash on the sod for 3YO fillies, but she might have found her home in turf sprints. The daughter of Army Mule ran right to the wire last out with a couple of solid runners in her first start going one-turn on the grass at Churchill Downs and should get a favorable outside stalking voyage under jockey Rey Gutierrez. I will bet her to win and play her underneath in the exotics as well. Hopefully, she earns her first stakes win in and at the Pea Patch!

Play: #11 Grade A (30-1 ML)