The racing week at Saratoga Race Course kicks off in a big way since the Pick 6 carryover from Sunday was pushed back to Thursday afternoon after communication issues between the New York Racing Association and the jockeys. Therefore, there will be a $1 traditional Pick 6 carryover of $166,702 starting in Race 4 (2:56 PM eastern) on Thursday. Here are a few horses I consider must uses within the sequence.


Race 4:
This $100k maiden claimer at one-mile over the Inner Turf kicks things off where #9 Franklin Delano appears a vulnerable 5-2-ML favorite. Yes, the Liam’s Map colt gets class relief after failing four times against protected maidens to kick off his career for Todd Pletcher, but his last race was extremely underwhelming against just an average group at Aqueduct. He has kept stronger company, but overall but does not strike fear into me by any stretch. #1 Arabian Power has had his chances with favorable trips as well. His last two starts since moving to the grass, adding blinkers, and stretching out to two turns have been better, but also have resulted in losing lone leads without any real excuse. The advantage he is on Thursday is the inside draw over an Inner Turf Course that greatly favors those that can avoid wide voyages into that first turn. The inside draw and slight cutback to eight-furlongs make this Not This Time gelding a must use to kick things off.

Play: #1 Arabian Power (7-2 ML)
Picks: 1-8-6


Race 6:
This MSW event for fillies and mares at 1 1/8-miles appears wide-open. 5-2-ML favorite #4 Ati Girl has had eight chances already, while #6 Pippa Adds tries a route of ground for the first time after three speed and fade efforts going one-turn. I trust neither and prefer a trio of 3YO fillies that should offer more value. #1 Morning Menace was not competitive late in her third-place finish going 6.5-furlongs off the bench in May, but draws the rail and Prat on the stretch out, while #5 Moonlit ran into a good-looking winner in each of her first two starts for Miguel Clement and gets more ground. They are both worth consideration, but I landed on the other Clement #7 Jadorlinija. The Moyglare Stud Farm homebred is by Curlin out of a Scat Daddy mare that won eight races, albeit on the grass, for the same connections. She shook off the rust last out and should relish the 9-furlong trip. Ricardo Santana Jr. has been riding well and hopefully uses his gate skills to get her into the race out of the gate.

Play: #7 Jadorlinija (6-1 ML)
Picks: 7-1-5


Race 7:
This non-winners of two for $35k claimers at 1 1/16-miles over the Inner Turf is another race that could prove tough for chalk players. #8 Ciro di Marzio drops in for a tag for the first time off a year layoff for Wesley Ward. He has raced against the best competition, but the layoff for the 5YO gelding and return to claimers does not breed confidence he is ready for his best off the bench. Second choice #2 English Law holds the recency edge over the favorite, but his only win came in December ’24. The fact he has been unable to hit the board over his first three starts for Will Walden says a lot. I will try to beat them both with #6 Vintage Vino. The son of Vino Rosso lacks early speed, but gets a massive rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz Jr. If Irad can keep him within shouting distance early, he should have the kick to run this group down late for trainer Linda Rice.

Play: #6 Vintage Vino (4-1 ML)
Picks: 6-8-2