The first Sunday of the Saratoga summer includes a carryover in the Pick 6 of $185,090 after the wager went unsolved on Saturday afternoon. The nine-race card kicks off at 1:10 PM eastern with the first steeplechase of the meeting followed by eight thoroughbred races. The Pick 6 commences in Race 4. Here are a few horses I like most over the course of the afternoon.


Race 4:
I will single #7 Holy Seven to kick off the first Pick 6 carryover of the meet. The $700k son of Into Mischief debuted at Churchill Downs back in mid-September for Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen. The FTS August ’24 purchase broke mid-pack before being four-wide during the middle stages of that 6-furlong dash over the main track. He moved into second as they turned for home, but tired chasing the winner to the wire and ended up finishing fourth beaten a little over a length. Asmussen opted to give Holy Seven lots of time after his solid debut before a long series of works this spring in Louisville. He has looked very good in the morning and returns in a 6.5-furlong dash in upstate New York. He should handle this compact field of seven without much issue assuming a move forward off his 2YO debut.

Play: #7 Holy Seven (2-1 ML)
Picks: 7-2-3


Race 6: Kelso (G3)
The pace should certainly be contentious in the first of two stakes races conducted over the grass to close the first week of the summer. #1 Zulu Kingdom may opt to try to stalk instead of show speed from the rail with #2 Maycocks Bay, #3 My Boy Prince, #7 Itsallcomintogetha, and #8 Mi Bago all drawn to his outside. The 5-2-ML favorite disappointed at odds-on in his return race and appears to have a much tougher task shortly after 4PM eastern this afternoon. I prefer backing a runner who should benefit off the probable race shape.

Hall of Famer Bill Mott has a two-horse uncoupled entry that should be in the position to take advantage of an honest to fast first half mile. #11 Capitol Hill came with a strong run at a big price in the Poker (G3), but was unable to get to #5 Pass the Hat. Capitol Hill has a great kick and enters in the best form of his life. He might have been my play if he was not done so dirty at the draw, but the 11-hole makes his task that much tougher. On the other hand, Pass the Hat drew well giving him a big chance to make it three wins in a row. The son of Collected was forced to keep Zulu Kingdom honest in his win last month, but should be able to settle mid-pack off a brisker first half mile in the Kelso. The Pin Oak Stud runner has one of the best kicks in the field and proved he can handle this course just a month ago. Johnny V sticks was aboard for the first time last out. He is back aboard for the Sunday feature.

Play: #5 Pass the Hat (6-1 ML)
Picks: 5-11-8


Race 8: Harvey Pack
My final play of the day comes in this $200k turf sprint for 4YOs+ where I will try #3 Possiblemente. The son of Tale of Ekati makes his third start of the form cycle for trainer Joe Sharp after a Grade 3 win over the all-weather at Woodbine on May 30. Prior to that, the 6YO gelding ran better than looks when taking on some of the best in the division on Derby Day in the Turf Sprint (G2). He found himself last early, but came with a solid run late to split the field and lost by a little over a length at odds of 21-1. He galloped out with a ton of interest, which should set him up for a big run in his first start over the Saratoga sod. The fact trainer Joe Sharp attracts Jose Ortiz does little to hurt his chances in a race named for one of the most iconic folks in New York Racing Association history.

Play: #3 Possiblemente (4-1 ML)
Picks: 3-7-1