The racing week at Saratoga continues on Thursday afternoon with a nine-race card that kicks off at 1:10 PM eastern and is led by the $200k Birdstone at 1 3/4-miles over the main track. Here are a few horses I like most on the afternoon in New York.Race 6:This $130k allowance race at one-mile over the Inner Turf features the return of 2025 Belmont Oaks (G1) winner #1 Fionn. The Brad Cox trainee had an outstanding 3YO campaign that included six wins and nearly $2M in earnings. She raced once this year and it was in late January at Gulfstream Park where she finished a disappointing sixth in her first start versus older fillies and mares. Fionn has been on the sidelines since with Kentucky Downs lucrative purses likely on her mind once again after a victory over the unique configuration last month. This one-mile distance event is sharp for her unless something has changed significantly since we saw her last, so I will try to beat her given her 6-5-ML price.I will try with stablemate #4 Ready to Jam. The daughter of More Than Ready stretches out to two-turns in her third start under the care of Cox. She has not thrived in two-turn races thus far, but has only tried going long a few times. The way this Inner Turf course can play, the likelihood that the pace will be moderate, and upgrading to jockey Manny Franco all should work to her advantage. So does her 8-1-ML offering in this compact group of six.Play: #4 Ready to Jam (8-1 ML)Picks: 4-3-1Race 8: BirdstoneThe aforementioned feature at the arduous 1 3/4-mile distance drew a field of eight set to contest the marathon style event given American racing standards. Trainer Bill Mott got Sovereignty back to the winner’s circle last Saturday in the Whitney (G1) and holds a strong hand here with 8-5-ML favorite #1 Parchment Party and 5-2-second choice #3 Stars and Stripes. I prefer the latter.Stars and Stripes brought a two-race winning streak into the Suburban (G2) on the Fourth of July where he was beaten to the punch by Phileas Fogg, caught three-wide into the first turn, and outrun from there. I am willing to forgive the effort because not only was it the toughest field he ever encountered, but he also never got into the comfortable position I expect him to in this spot. Jockey Luis Saez is likely to have enough tactical speed from the gate to stalk just off likely pacesetter #2 Annexperience. This should allow him to settle into a good stride and get the jump on his main rivals. The fact he had success in his other start over this surface takes my concern away that he simply did not like the Saratoga dirt last out. Hopefully, we get the 5-2.Play: #3 Stars and Stripes (5-2 ML)Picks: 3-2-1Race 9:The finale is a MSW event for 3YOs+ at six-furlongs over the main track where I have little interest in 5-2-ML favorite #2 Criteria. The Yaupon colt has had five chances already for Chad Brown and has proven what he has at this point in his career. #10 Holy Seven is less experienced and has been far from a superstar through two starts, but had an excuse last time out when he broke sharp, battled early, and tired badly in the final furlong. The well-bred Into Mischief colt broke through the gate prior to his first race since September 12, 2025, which most horseplayers know generally does not work out well in the end. Obviously, it would have been nice to see the odds-on favorite finish with more energy, but I am willing to give the Steve Asmussen trainee a mulligan after showing some ability on debut in Kentucky in his lone juvenile run. It does not hurt that Jose Ortiz is also willing to give him another chance in the Thursday finale.Play: #10 Holy Seven (5-1 ML)Picks: 10-3-2

Eight races kick off Week 5 at Del Mar and we’ll alternate turf heats in the odd races and dirt races in the even. A trio of turf sprints are among the offerings. First post is 5 pm ET / 2 pm PT.Each day this summer at Del Mar, I’ll be handicapping the action with my top plays on the card – including full-card selections for a featured program each week (this week’s full-card will be Saturday).Del Mar: Race 1 | 5:00 pm ET#1 Iriseach (3-1 morning line odds) was completely pace-compromised in the Oceanside when they ran a super-slow :48-4/5 middle half-mile. Return rival Mr. A.P. benefitted from that and still couldn’t finish; likely overbet here. Iriseach is proven over the course last fall and adds Lasix for the first time Thursday for a Phil D’Amato barn that was sharp on point last week. Win bet #1. Picks 1-5-4Del Mar: Race 6 | 7:34 pm ET#9 Dazzle Comm (7-2 morning line odds) extends in trip for the first time off 2 initial sprints, an excellent form cycle and catches a field that appears to lack significant early pace. Faced significantly better in prior starts, a well-meant 6/5 debut winner last out and vs. Matt At Five in the debut, a horse who since has 2 allowance wins since. Win bet #9. Exactas 9 with 5,6. Daily Double 9-6. Picks 9-5-6Del Mar: Race 7 | 8:05 pm ET#6 Lee’s Baby Girl (5-1 morning line odds) is 5: 3-2-0 in turf sprints with both losses by a neck. Rock-solid and trustworthy in this spot and moves up by the fact that Carla Gaines’ horses have been running very well again in recent days at Del Mar. Win bet #6. Exacta key-box 6 with 3,5,4. Picks 6-3-5

To quote Bon Jovi, “Oh, we’re halfway there” to the 2026 Fun in the Sun Final Table. Four of 8 qualifying weeks are in the books for the annual Saratoga / Del Mar handicapping contest at Xpressbet. So far 19 players have claimed 20 of the 40 available seats in the Labor Day Final Table, whose progressive jackpot now stands at $13,315 with $10,000-added from Xpressbet.Week 5 this Saturday once again features the final 5 races at Saratoga and first 5 races at Del Mar. Those contest heats include the Grade 1 Christophe Clement Turf and the Galway Stakes from the Spa.Week 4 featured Franco Pacione topping all players with a $264.20 bankroll to earn the $1,144.50 first prize and Final Table seat. Runner-up Joseph McKay ($243.70 bankroll, $476.88 prize) and George Scott ($239.00 bankroll, $286.12 prize) also cashed. The top-5 who earned Final Table seats were rounded out by Terence Severson ($236.20 bankroll) and Gregory Caliway ($209.40 bankroll).Fun in the Sun contestants play for weekly prize money and a chance to join each week’s top-5 players in the tournament’s Final Table on Labor Day. The 9-week Fun in the Sun handicapping contest runs 8 Saturdays from July 18-September 5 and concludes with the Final Table on Labor Day Monday, September 7.Entry is just $25 each qualifying round week and players utilize a $100 live bankroll on the final 5 races from Saratoga and first 5 races from Del Mar ($10 parimutuel win bets in each of the contest races). The top-5 players in accumulated earnings each week qualify for a seat in the final table, where just 40 entries will square off for the grand prize (players can qualify up to 2 entries in the Final Table). Weekly prize pool money will be on the line for the top-3 finishers each Saturday (70% of entry fees paid out weekly, 30% carries over to the Final Table pool).The Final Table format began in 2020 and past champions include Robert Rosen (2020), Wayne Tam (2021), Kevin Saunders (2022), Joe Tambasco (2023), Gordon Maruya (2024) and Andy Muhlada (2025).2026 Tournament DatesSaturday, July 18, 25Saturday, August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29Saturday and Monday, September 5 and 7 (Final Table)Buy-In$125 Buy-In per week, split between $100 Bankroll + $25 Entry FeeHow to PlayTournament consists of the last five (5) races each Saturday at Saratoga and the first five (5) races each Saturday at Del Mar. Players must make a $10 Win bet on one (1) horse in each race via the Contest Wagerpad.Weekly Prize Pool70% of Entry Fees are paid out each week as the Weekly Prize PoolWeekly PrizesTop Five (5) finishers each week automatically qualify for the Final Table1st Place Finisher – 60% of Weekly Prize Pool + Final Table Seat2nd Place Finisher – 25% of Weekly Prize Pool + Final Table Seat3rd Place Finisher – 15% of Weekly Prize Pool + Final Table Seat4th Place Finisher – Final Table Seat5th Place Finisher – Final Table SeatFinal Table Prizes30% of Entry Fees carried over to the Final Table$10,000-added prize pool courtesy of Xpressbet1st Place Finisher: 55% of Final Table Prize Pool2nd Place Finisher: 25% of Final Table Prize Pool3rd Place Finisher: 10% of Final Table Prize Pool4th Place Finisher: 5% of Final Table Prize Pool5th Place Finisher: 5% of Final Table Prize Pool‍For more and to register, visit the Tournaments page.

EXTRA INCENTIVES1 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Saratoga | late pick 4 todayTOURNAMENT TIME$100 Saratoga Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $151,379 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETPick 6 | $192,498 | Saratoga | begins Race 4 | 2:56 pm ETPick 5 | $78,887 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | begins Race 5 | 4:14 pm ETPick 4 | $76,709 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | begins Race 6 | 4:45 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $56,431 | Assiniboia Downs | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ETKEY RACESHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 8 | 5:47 pm ET | Ellen’s Lucky Star StakesHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 9 | 6:18 pm ET | Snack HandicapAssiniboia Downs | Race 4 | 9:50 pm ET | Phil Kives StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXSaratoga | Race 6 | 4:04 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 8 | 5:47 pm ETMountaineer | Race 3 | 7:50 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHChad Brown | Saratoga | 5 of 6 entrants 9-2 or less odds (3 at 8-5 or less)DID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Horseshoe Indianapolis | Race 6 | nation’s highest paying win ($90), exacta ($540), trifecta ($1473) and superfecta ($99,679)PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Carryover Pick 6 Key Plays for WednesdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The new racing week at Saratoga Race Course begins in style since no horseplayers were able to piece together the $1 Pick 6 on Sunday afternoon. This leaves us with $192,498 in the traditional Pick 6 heading into a nine-race Wednesday card that begins with a steeplechase stakes event. The big money sequence kicks off shortly before 3PM eastern with Race 4. Here are a few horses I consider must uses over the final six races.Race 6:This full-field auction-restricted MSW event for 2YO fillies sprinting over the grass is likely to test Pick 6 players quite a bit that make it through the first two legs. A number of first-time starters have good chances, but I like a filly with experience most. #8 Sweet Grace was scratched off the also-eligible list in a similar spot on Sunday afternoon, but lands squarely in the body of this group. The Candy Ride filly was beaten out of the gate on debut on July 16, but showed professionalism from there relaxing kindly along the inside with a mid-pack position in the early stages. She put in a run trying to get to the easy winner that day, but tired mid-stretch and ended up finishing fifth. Trainer James Ryerson is 3 for 11 at the Spa dating back to the start of July with a massive $10.27 ROI and sends out a gal that holds the experience edge against the majority of her rivals. If she can find a better position early on, I expect jockey Christopher Elliott to make a strong run late at a fair ML price.Play: #8 Sweet Grace (6-1 ML)Picks: 8-4-5Race 7:This full-field state-bred MSW event for 2YOs over the main track is not much easier for horizontal players given the fact the 12 runners entered in the main body have three total races under their belt. Once again, I will endorse one of those with experience #4 In the Queue. The daughter of Honest Mischief drew in off the AE list for her debut last month, so she was drawn to the far outside with Dylan Davis in the saddle. In the Queue broke well and was right off the pace early on, but while being caught wide throughout. She battled with two rivals to her inside before understandably tiring badly late. Now, she returns to the races with a favorable start under her belt where she flashed good early speed, moves to an inside post, and attracts a better front-end rider for her second try in Luis Saez. Saez should have her involved early and hopefully tough to catch late at a square 8-1-ML offering.Play: #4 In the Queue (8-1 ML)Picks: 4-5-10Race 8:The Wednesday feature is this first-level allowance at 1 1/8-miles over the main track where I do not expect the pace to be too fast in the early stages. #3 Higher Force might be the aggressor, but #2 Hidden Rose should find a favorable prominent position on the backstretch like she did out of the Wilson chute on July 9. The Connect filly has yet to compete at nine-furlongs over the dirt, but finished strong two-back in a true two-turn race at Finger Lakes before a solid runner-up effort to heavy favorite Soaring High on July 9. The probable trip plus her ability to show tactical speed and still get the distance make her my top choice in the penultimate leg of sequence.Play: #2 Hidden Rose (3-1 ML)Picks: 2-1-7

Throughout August, Tuesdays and Thursdays stay hot at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet with our Midsummer Money promotion. Bet $100, Get $10 on select tracks this month. Next up Tuesday will be Finger Lakes. Here’s how I’ll approach the card in New York with an assist from the Betmix Angler database.Finger Lakes Race 5 | 2:51 pm ET#3 America’s Justice (6-1 morning line odds) gets a price look for a small barn that got hot all of the sudden the past 2 weeks with $17 and $28 winners from just 3 starters after going 1-for-14 at the meeting prior. Race loaded with sprinters and stamina shouldn’t be an issue off an even-running effort. Win-place bet #3. Picks: 3-6-2Finger Lakes Race 8 | 4:18 pm ET#4 Plex (4-1 morning line odds) has crossed the line first in both career 2-turn races and exits a popular maiden breaker at an odds-on price. Natural rise in class here for a Dana Saul barn hitting 36% at the meet and jockey Jose Baez winning at 34%. Saul is 3-for-6 with local routers since July 8. Win bet #4. Picks: 4-1-5

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Finger Lakes | today’s races | Plonk's PicksNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $151,379 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 7 | 5:16 pm ETFairmount Park | Race 8 | 5:25 pm ETMountaineer | Race 3 | 7:50 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHPaul Barrow | Finger Lakes | all 4 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Thistledown | trainer Robert Cline | 3 wins, 1 second from 5 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

EXTRA INCENTIVES1 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Gulfstream | $3 Players Late Pick 310X 1/ST Rewards Points | Summer Sweep 5 | Gulfstream / Fort ErieSPECIAL WAGERSSummer Sweep Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 6-7-8, Fort Erie Races 1-2--$1 minimum, 15% takeout, no CAWNOTABLE CARRYOVERSMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $24,168 | Gulfstream Park | begins Race 3 | 1:22 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $145,812 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETKEY RACESGulfstream | Race 6 | 2:58 pm ET | In Summation StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXGulfstream Park | Race 8 | 4:00 pm ETFort Erie | Race 7 | 7:18 pm ETMountaineer | Race 2 | 7:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHRobert Cline | Thistledown | 4 of 5 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Mountaineer | favorites won 7 of 10 races on West Virginia Derby DayPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMBrian Nadeau: Gulfstream Park Full-Card Monday PicksFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section