No one was able to connect the dots over the final six races at Saratoga on Sunday afternoon, so horseplayers are once again treated to a six-figure carryover to take a swing at to start the racing week. The old money in the Pick 6 pool is close to $159K for the sequence that kicks off in Race 4 at 2:52 eastern.


Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.

Race 4:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 5 Gun Party
Backups: 6 Stowaway

Forecast: North America’s all-time leading trainer Steve Asmussen has come to Saratoga this summer meaning business evidenced by his 7 for 24-record thus far. The veteran conditioner has found a perfect spot for the return of this $1.7M Keeneland September 2022 purchase that has been competitive, but disappointing thus far. That said, no one is better than Asmussen at giving horses time when they need it and allowing them to mature, even if that means being better later on their career. This colt has the tactical to speed to find a prominent spot in a race void of serious early zip and could be set for a strong half of his 4YO campaign. A repeat of his last at Churchill Downs in late June and they are running for second place.

If you want to take on the likely single, #6 Stowaway likely presents the best value and upside combination. The Gun Runner gelding has not raced since late May of ’24 when he won by a neck. Trainer Whit Beckman sports strong numbers off layoffs and legs up leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr.


Race 5:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 2B Breslau; 3 Fromanothamutha; 2 Stolen Base
Backups: None

Forecast: The Flying P Stable coupled entry looks very tough in this open $32k claimer at 7-furlongs over the main track. #2 Stolen Base has been freshened up after a win at Aqueduct in late June, while #2B Breslau drops in class for Norm Casse after a less-than-ideal voyage against second-level allowance foes in Louisville. One of them has a big chance to win this at a short price, but #3 Fromanothamutha is worth including as well. The 6YO gelding adds the blinkers in his first start off the reclaim for trainer Ray Handal. Handal cuts him back to one-turn and attracts Irad Ortiz.



Race 6:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 4 Klimt Master; 7 Orie
Backups: 3 Pass the Soy Sauce; 1 Out of the Fog

Forecast: This state-bred $50k maiden claimer over the lawn lacks a runner I trust, which makes taking a short price on #3 Pass the Soy Sauce or #7 Orie tough to do. Pass the Soy Sauce tried the grass for the initial time in his first start off the layoff on July 17 and ran fine showing solid early speed, but lacked energy late. 8-5 seems short. Orie at 2-1 is not any easier to swallow. The Mike Maker trainee certainly brings the strongest resume in having finished second beaten less than a length in back-to-back races at this level. That said, he has already lost 4 times in his career at 3-1 or less. He is the one I trust most to run his race, but not necessarily win.

I say all this because I like #4 Klimt Master most. The Eduardo Jones trainee has never hit the board in 12 starts, but his last few on the grass have come versus better. His last couple fit pretty well and he could get a very fast pace to run at. Hopefully, his second start over this course leads to his first career victory!


Race 7:
Grade: C
Main Ticket: 7; Melle Mel; 2 Our Lady Peace
Backups: 6 She’s Complicated

Forecast: I lack a strong opinion in this non-winners of two over the main track where it is certainly #7 Melle Mel’s race to lose. The Liam’s Map filly puts the blinkers back on for the first time since winter and takes a big drop for trainer Melanie Giddings. Her best wins this going away, but #2 Our Lady Peace intrigues as well. Saffie Joseph ships this Good Magic filly into New York and legs up the leading rider despite a disappointing runner-up effort as the favorite over the mud at Gulfstream Park last month. With a clean break she should get a favorable forward trip.


Race 8: NY Stallion Stakes
Grade: B
Main Ticket: 5 Boston’s Phinest; 3 Trail of Gold
Backups: 2 Queen Atlas; 7 Blossoming Erudite

Forecast: I will hope for separation from the public in the Wednesday feature where three of the four morning line favorites appear vulnerable in this one-mile excursion over the inner turf. The one I like most is 4-1-third choice #3 Trail of Gold. The Solomini filly got out of the gate very poorly last out in the Suzie O’Cain and competed over the wrong part of the turf course. With a better start, she should find a perfect mid-pack ground saving position on the slight cutback in distance. #5 Boston’s Phinest also exits the Suzie O’Cain where she too was caught wide and just off an honest pace, yet still hung around to finish third beaten just two lengths. The Bruce Brown trainee has been camera shy, but seems to be sitting on that second lifetime victory against a solid, but beatable bunch.


Race 9:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 9 Two Bits; 7 Lexico, 5 Quiet Street; 8 Nelson’s Penny
Backups: 10 Lit Ship

Forecast: The card and sequence conclude with a challenging MSW for 2YO fillies sprinting over the sod. I will use several and am willing to fade 3-1-ML favorite #6 Delightful Darling. The Flameaway filly has lost two photos to start her career, but should have won on debut when she popped the gate, made a clear lead at 3-2, but could not seal the deal. She is going to be a very common use to close this thing out and is far from a cinch.

My top choice is #9 Two Bits. The American Pharoah filly made a three-wide middle move in her first start on a day where the inside was the place and the race was washed off the grass last month. She moves to the turf and attracts Luis Saez. #7 Lexico is also worth noting since the Whit Beckman trainee worked last week with impressive debut winner Carmel Coast. She is unlikely to be as fast as her stablemate, but she will not have to be to win this.

Good luck!