The second Saturday of the Saratoga summer offers horseplayers an 11-race card that kicks off at 12:35 PM and is headlined by a pair of Grade 2 events over the grass. Here are my thoughts on the entire slate.

Grade Descriptions: A= Highest Degree of Confidence, B= Solid Play, C= Least Preferred or Pass, X= Likely Winner but at odds probably too short to wager on.


Race 1:
Grade: B
Use: 3 Decimation

Forecast: The opener is a 5.5-furlong sprint for 2YOs over the main track where I landed on #3 Decimation. Fellow Kentucky import #1 Midnight Still is expected to take more money after a solid third on debut, but I am expecting big improvement in career start two from this Jackie’s Warrior colt. He was asked for speed from the gate by jockey Keith Asmussen in his first start and ran off a touch before tiring badly in the lane. North America’s all-time leading trainer takes the blinkers off and thinks enough of him to ship him to New York where a stronger rider will be in the saddle. Hopefully, he shows a lot more stamina because I know the speed is there.


Race 2:
Grade: C
Use: 6 Harpoon; 3 Hot Fries; 5 Angel of Kirk

Forecast: I lack creativity and confidence in this 5.5-furlong sprint over the dirt for 2YO fillies made up of all first-time starters. #6 Harpoon is listed as the biggest price of the three gals I give a chance at first asking. She draws outside her main rivals and is out of a mare that won on debut at Santa Anita in 2022. Mark Casse legs up Jose Ortiz for her debut.


Race 3:
Grade: X
Use: 6 Speightful Lily

Forecast: I have far more confidence in Race 3, but unfortunately it is because the 6-5-ML favorite #6 Speightful Lily looks tough to beat. She cuts back half a furlong after following a gate-to-wire winner to the wire during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in her first start since April ’25. Flavien Prat sticks aboard the 6YO mare that should have things her way on the front end at a short price.


Race 4:
Grade: C+
Use: 1 Sounds Like a Plan; 3 Final Verdict

Forecast: There may appear to be a good deal of speed on paper in this second-level allowance at one-mile over the Inner Turf, but not enough for me to expect the pace to be highly contentious over this course. That gives the edge to a pair of runners that draw along the inside and possess tactical speed. #1 Sounds Like a Plan has won 4 of 5 for Horacio De Paz, including a first-level allowance victory over this course on June 6. A favorable voyage could lead to another win. #3 Final Verdict may be at his best sprinting, but should get a good trip as well after a pair of solid runner-up efforts to kick off his 6YO season. Not one of my favorite races on the card, but not going to get expect a fast pace to materialize given all of the variables.


Race 5: Caress (G2)
Grade: B-
Use: 3 Italian Soiree/4 Sunna

Forecast: #4 Sunna is the one to beat in this 5.5-furlong turf dash for fillies and mares since she appears to have a pace advantage in her first local start. The Kent Sweezey trainee has rattled off three consecutive wins, including two at this same surface and distance. The issue is she will be a short price in the toughest spot of her career. #3 Italian Soiree might need some luck from a race shape perspective, but she has done little wrong in her two turf sprints this year. She dominated a lesser field in Laurel in her first start off the bench and then put forth a solid runner-up effort to wire-to-wire winner Roja in the Intercontinental (G2). If Sunna regresses or takes pressure early, this filly should take advantage. She is the better bet of the two I give a chance in the first stakes of the day.


Race 6:
Grade: C+
Use: 1 Rosapenna

Forecast: Most folks will understandably spread in this state-bred MSW for 2YOs over the main track, but I will try to call my shot with #1 Rosapenna. The daughter of Mo Donegal commanded $125k at the OBS March sale despite her sire standing for just $10k to start his second career. The rail is not ideal, but trainer Mike Maker has been worth wagering on when sending 2YO first-time starters to debut at Saratoga of late. In fact, over the last three years Maker has sent 18 juveniles to the Spa for their debut and 4 have won for an ROI well above $3. The fact Flavien Prat takes the call on this filly also could be a tell she has some talent.


Race 7:
Grade: B+
Use: 7 Candytown/ 8 Plensa; 2 Unit Economics

Forecast: This second level allowance event that kicks off the late Pick 5 is one of the more intriguing races of the afternoon. ML favorites #2 Unit Economics and #4 Yinzer have run big races against solid competition for high-level connections, but are making their first start since last year. I am willing to let both beat me, especially because I like the chances of #7 Candytown to move forward in his second start off the bench. He returned at 1 1/16-miles in early June and was caught three-wide on both turns over a turf course that was not forgiving to those who lost ground. However, I am willing to forgive his lack of finish against similar given his price and trip last time out. Edgard Zayas will pick up the mount. He was aboard him during both career victories. #8 Plensa is another one making his second start as a 4YO that could improve quite a bit. He was wired out in his 2026 debut at Churchill Downs, but did not run poorly by any stretch. He will need to avoid a wide trip and being too far back early though to have a serious chance.


Race 8:
Grade: B-
Use: 2 Bosun

Forecast: This first-level allowance event over the grass is likely to be a spread race for most in the late horizontals, but I am going to take my chances with just #2 Bosun. The Midshipman gelding is not without warts since he has not raced since late January at Fair Grounds and was not nearly as good when he moved into open company. That said, he has been gelded since his last start, won both races over this course last summer and should get a good trip from the inside. If he is ready off the bench, he should handle this field.


Race 9:
Grade: B+
Use: 4 Toscano/ 5 King Farro; 7 Judge Boushay

Forecast: I will try to beat 2-1-ML favorite #2 Tricky Business in this state-bred allowance out of the Wilson chute. The son of Vekoma won nicely on debut, but did so taking advantage of a track that favored his outside trip. He came back versus winners in the Pegasus and was outrun. He could get over bet and is far from a stand out. I like #4 Toscano. The son of Vino Rosso makes his second start off a year layoff after a fourth-place effort chasing a gate-to-winner at 7-furlongs in his return. He gets more ground after shaking off the rust and should be set for his best with Tyler Gaffalione jumping aboard.


Race 10: Bowling Green (G2)
Grade: C
Use: 1 Ole Crazy Bone

Forecast: I lack a strong opinion in this 1 3/8-mile event over the Inner Turf, but will continue to hope it is a big day for Mike Maker. #1 Ole Crazy Bone was claimed for a cool $100k by Maker and Flying P Stable in late June ’25 and he has run first or second in the three starts since. He came off the bench in an allowance at Churchill Downs on May 21 and ran an extremely credible second at 1 1/16-miles to Dresden Row. Now, he gets back to a longer trip where he should get a favorable prominent voyage under Flavien Prat making him the one to beat in the co-feature.


Race 11:
Grade: B-
Use: 10 Coach Ryan

Forecast: Those that have recency lack ability thus far in the careers of these NY-breds hoping to earn their first victory in a two-turn turf race at Saratoga. This should open things up for the 5-2-ML favorite #10 Coach Ryan. The Chad Brown trainee was winless in two starts as a 2YO, including his debut at the Spa in late August ’25. He does not draw particularly well, but should still have no issue out finishing this bunch to end the day.