The racing week in Saratoga Springs kicks off in style on Thursday afternoon. Not only is there a $99k carryover in the $1 Pick 6 to attack, but also a new promotion for the week at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. It is called “Trifecta-Thon”, $10,000 is on the line over the course of the four-day racing week, and the goal is hitting six or more $1 trifectas over the course of those four days. Those customers that strike for at least six will share $7500, while those who connect on the most $1 trifectas split the other $2500. Remember to register on the promotional landing page. Here are a few horses I like most on the Thursday agenda.Race 4:The Pick 6 kicks off with this $130k allowance over the Inner Turf where trainer Chad Brown holds a strong 1-2 punch with 2-1-ML favorite #2 Spirit of St Louis and 5-2-second choice #5 Salamis. Spirit of St Louis is hard for me to endorse at that offering. The New York-bred has not been the same horse since the fall of ’25 after a huge first half of his campaign. He is a toss for me given his price. Salamis is not much easier for me to endorse. I definitely prefer his “upside” second off the bench to his stablemate, but his lack of speed from the gate is likely to put him in a tough spot in this 9-furlong affair that is unlikely to see a hot pace in the early stages. For that reason. I like #7 Sand Pipes. The son of Summer Front is winless in five starts this year, but that includes four stakes races. A few of those stakes events are far from overly superior to this condition at the Spa, but this race shapes up well for the Lindsay Schultz trainee. Jockey Kendrick Carmouche is likely to send aggressively from the gate and take them a long way on the engine. Hopefully, it is all the way to the wire.Play: #7 Sand Pipes (4-1 ML)Picks: 7-5-1Race 7: Suzie O CainThe Thursday feature is this 1 1/16-mile state-bred event over the Inner Turf where it is likely to be bet like a two-filly race between #3 All of It and #5 Celtic Dawn. Celtic Dawn has fired off the faster races thus far, but those have come in sprints, including her turf debut last out in one of the NY Stallion Stakes at Aqueduct on June 13. She gets Irad Ortiz Jr and is likely to get the jump on All of It, but I will single the latter. The daughter of Mendelssohn took advantage of a perfect trip in her easy maiden debut win in April and then took a step forward versus winners coming from further off the pace to prance home to another open length victory. She has enough tactical speed to not leave herself with too much to do and should be extremely tough to hold off late.Play: #3 All of It (8-5 ML)Picks: 3-6-5Race 8:A strong 7-furlong allowance over the main track is up next and has a big shot to be won on the front end by #1 Munnings Express. The Linda Rice trainee goes turf-to-dirt after a speed and fade run over the Aqueduct sod in late June. Rice has been extremely reliable when switching from grass to the main track evidenced by her 25 for 110 record over the last three years with an amazing $2.50 ROI. Jose Lezcano should have her on the lead with the inside draw. The final furlong could be a challenge, but I think she has the stamina to seal the deal.Play: #1 Munnings Express (7-2 ML)Picks: 1-4-8

We went price-shopping opening week at Del Mar and had success with a $2.73 ROI for every $2 bet on the 18 top choices presented over 3 days. Overall, 8 of 18 were in the exacta including 6 of them at 5-1 or more. Let’s get to work on Thursday’s kickoff to Week 2, which features a Pick 6 carryover of $63,928 (Races 3-8). 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 comes Saturday).Del Mar: Race 2 | 5:30 pm ET#2 Parker’s Candy (5-1 morning line odds) reappears after a long layoff. Trainer Jeff Mullins had a freakish turf winner for us in the Oceanside on opening day and note that since 2018 he’s a 20% winner in turf sprint maiden races at Del Mar from nearly 50 starters with a 22% flat-bet profit on those. Bullet work for first start since debut third here last summer. Exacta key-box #2 with #5,8,6. Picks 2-5-8-6.Del Mar: Race 5 | 7:00 pm ET#2 Vegas Del Oro (8-1 morning line odds) is a debut daughter of sneaky-strong Del Mar dirt sire Gato Del Oro (27% winners, $1.48 ROI for every $1 bet, coming into the meeting). This one is a full-sister to Chasing Kat, whose horse-for-course Del Mar dirt record is 3: 2-1-0 (8: 0-3-0 everywhere else) and Del Mar-loving My Kat (3-for-3 on local dirt in non-stakes tries). Benefits with local work over the track, something only half of these maidens possess. Has shown excellent gate speed in video workouts at 1st.tv; see if she can finish. Win bet #2. Picks 2-5-10.Del Mar: Race 7 | 8:00 pm ET#1 Check’s On the Way (6-1 morning line odds) should be rail speed on the stretch-out in trip. Umberto Rispoli was riding strong opening week at Del Mar and note that trainer Simon Callaghan is one of the traditionally fastest starters to Del Mar meets over the last several years. Horse ran a solid 2-turn mile on turf last year and might just wind up here and forget to stop. Win bet #1. Picks: 1-2-6

The Lead:Saratoga co-features the Vanderbilt for sprinters and the Coaching Club American Oaks for 3-year-old dirt fillies on Saturday. While the Vanderbilt didn't come up as tough as its history suggests, the CCA Oaks certainly held form. The Kentucky Oaks and Acorn winners rematch, and neither wind up the top pick.Horseplayers at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet be sure to check out the $10,000 Trifecta-Thon this week when you play Saratoga each day Thursday through Sunday.​​Field Depth:Grade 1 winners COUNTING STARS and ALWAYS A RUNNER top the marquee, while ZANY is a Grade 2 winner and Grade 1-placed. It will take some regression to knock off this group or a step-up effort by one of the class risers who have hinted at their ability.​Pace:The pace likely comes from LA RASCASSE and DIRECTIVE. The tempo looks comfortable enough that you don’t want to be closing from too far out of this pace.Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.1-COUNTING STARS: Romping winner of the Acorn last month over this track and distance when avenging her Kentucky Oaks loss to return rival Always a Runner. A repeat of that performance makes her obviously the horse to beat. Not sure she came out of the Acorn as good as she went into it, given only 1 workout in the first month after that race and just 4 lined up for this. Note she’s 4: 1-0-1 following victories and hasn’t always been as effective pairing up big efforts – which speaks a bit to the workout tab since. She’s had no break in her form cycle for nearly a year and at some point will need to step off the gas, but would not shock to produce another winning effort. Think there are enough questions to avoid at what will be a short price as the favorite or very close second choice.2-DANDONA: Turf and synthetic performer hasn’t tested dirt in 5 prior starts, but she’s a $1 million daughter of Belmont winner Tiz the Law. Pedigree leans more to a miler with a 1-run closing kick and her past performances looked sharper going shorter. Gets to save all the ground while likely far back early, but will take a lot of dirt in her face for the first time. Saffie Joseph Jr. barn hasn’t been firing on all cylinders so far at the Spa. Pass for me.3-LA RASCASSE: Unbeaten filly is the least-experienced CCA Oaks entrant in the lineup and looks for a third straight victory. High-percentage trainer Will Walden has gotten wins from this Authentic filly around 1 turn and 2 and over the surfaces at Keeneland and Churchill Downs. This will be her first true road trip, longest test and first start at 9 furlongs. Expect her into the pace discussion, but an 84 BRIS late pace figure in the Monomoy Girl Stakes over 1-1/16 miles doesn’t give a rousing endorsement that she can shake clear of these and hold sway. But an inner draw at this configuration at Saratoga and early pace presence gives her the best chance. Prefer others.4-MISS FULTON GAL: Mid-Atlantic based shipper has won 3 of her last 5, including listed stakes at Laurel and Delaware Park. But she failed her class test in the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan and this field rates significantly more talented. The 9-furlong distance suits her fine, but the level of competition likely will be too much to overcome.5-MEASURE: Stakes debut for June 4local allowance runner-up to CCA Oaks rival Directive. Second of 2 Mark Casse trainees here will be significantly higher price than barnmate Counting Stars. Just 1 win in 5 starts and will need the pace to come back to her to be successful. Jockey Jose Ortiz jumps saddles to Always a Runner, putting Manny Franco aboard. Strong-enough BRIS late pace figures to pass some runners over 9 furlongs if the track is playing fair, but difficult to project in the winner’s circle.6-ALWAYS A RUNNER: Kentucky Oaks winner made a rapid ascent in doing so in her third lifetime start. Her Acorn runner-up at 4-5 odds obviously disappointed the betting public, but she was probably ridden a tad too confidently while giving away ground in a small field. Jose Ortiz hasn’t made many mistakes in 2026 and don’t expect him to do so again. I prefer her of the rematched Acorn rivals with an extra workout on the tab compared to Counting Stars. Her BRIS late pace figures are solid 98, 94, 90 but in descension, and for a closer, could find a quality speed horse who keeps going to be her kryptonite. Big threat.7-DIRECTIVE: Progressive filly makes her stakes debut, fresh off a win over the track and distance in a lively 1:48-1/5. Juddmonte home-bred is a half-sister to Grade 1-winning turfer Segesta out of the accomplished turf mare Antonoe. Gets plenty of dirt stamina from sire Gun Runner and has been consistent with 92 BRIS late pace figures both around 1 turn and 2. Any step forward and she’s the best of the early players and will be a difficult challenge to reel in. Trainer Chad Brown won this race with lightly raced Guarana in 2019, who also was an April debuter and late bloomer. My play.8-ZANY: The lukewarm favorite never looked like a winner in the Kentucky Oaks when finishing fith and has been fairly quiet since. Only 5 workouts on her tab show, including a concerning, 16-day gap in late June. Blinkers go on a filly who when starting out 3-for-3 was teased as a divisional standout. She’s come back to earth in the Ashland and Oaks. Trainer Todd Pletcher not going well of late in New York, and even though he’s won this race a record 8 times, only 1 of those have come since 2015. I’ll make her beat me.9-NYCON: Cross-entered Friday at Saratoga in an allowance. No match for Always a Runner in April’s Gazelle has only 4 workouts back for what would be a massive ask if she shows up here. Outside draw does her no favors with short run into first turn and her finishing kick has been lackluster.Most Likely Exotics Contender:ALWAYS A RUNNER vies for favoritism and while I'll try to beat her, there's the utmost respect that she'll run her race and be in the exotics hunt.Best Longshot Contender:MEASURE will be overlooked in a field of stars and is a decent-enough finisher to bottom the superfecta if any of the name players regress and add some price juice.​​Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$100 win DIRECTIVE.

Week 2 in the annual Fun in the Sun handicapping contest matches horseplayers over 10 races from Saratoga and Del Mar this Saturday that include the Alfred G. Vanderbilt, Coaching Club American Oaks and the Osunitas Stakes. Contestants play for weekly prize money and a chance to join Week 1’s top-5 players in the tournament’s Final Table on Labor Day. The FITS progressive jackpot for the Final Table stands at $10,855 after the opening round with $10,000-added from Xpressbet.Last week’s top entry was John Velguth, whose $333.50 mutuel total was $3 better than runner-up Terrence Severson. Velguth earned $1,197 for his work, while Severson was awarded $498.75. They will advance to the Final Table along with third-place Nathan Woodward ($319.20, earned $299.25 in additional prize money), fourth-place Nicholas Nagy ($271.20 mutuel total) and Dave Nichols ($240.00 mutuel total).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.

TOURNAMENT TIME$40 The Meadows Feeder | details$40 Canterbury Feeder | details$40 Assiniboia Downs Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | Parx | $207,331 | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | Thistledown | $54,590 | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | Assiniboia Downs | $421,450 (CAN) | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXDelaware Park | Race 7 | 3:32 pm ETPenn National | Race 2 | 6:14 pm ETMountaineer | Race 2 | 7:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHEdgar Espinoza | Canterbury Park | 4 of 5 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Delaware Park | jockey Cipriano Gil | 4 wins from 5 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Mountaineer | today’s races20% Exacta Boost | Assiniboia Downs | today’s racesTOURNAMENT TIME$40 Mountaineer Feeder | details$40 Assiniboia Downs Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | Parx | $193,717 | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | Thistledown | $50,064 | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | Assiniboia Downs | $402,855 (CAN) | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ETKEY RACESAssiniboia Downs | Race 3 | 9:25 pm ET | Frank Amason Sire StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXDelaware Park | Race 7 | 3:42 pm ETFairmount Park | Race 8 | 5:25 pm ETMountaineer | Race 3 | 7:50 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHSteven Carthcart | Fort Erie | 5 of 6 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Fort Erie | favorites won 5 of 7 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Mountaineer Bet $100, Get $10 Spot Plays for TuesdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Throughout July, Tuesdays and Thursdays heat up at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet with our Red, White & Bet promotion. Bet $100, Get $10 on select tracks this month. Next up Tuesday will be Mountaineer. Here’s how I’ll approach the card in West Virginia with an assist from the Betmix Angler database.Mountaineer Race 3 | 7:50 pm ET#6 Frozen Four (10-1 morning line odds) was an even third in his first start for trainer Wilson Langley, notably the only of 6 turf runners for this barn at Mountaineer this year not to finish in the exacta. Everything else has been on point and expect a big improvement for this gelding who won over the course last year in his only other local grass appearance. Win-place bet #6. Exacta key-box 6 with 1,7,5. Picks: 6-1-7Mountaineer Race 4 | 8:15 pm ET#5 Flight Control (9-2 morning line odds) has outstanding early speed for this class level and the gameplan will be simple: as fast as she can, as far as she can. Going to the 7-pound apprentice helps the cause. Trainer Juan Pablo Silva’s Mountaineer turf runners this season are 9-19 in the exacta and show a flat-bet profit on the win end. Barn also sends out #6 Fair Trade. Win bet #5. Picks: 5-3-1

EXTRA INCENTIVES1 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Gulfstream Park | today’s $3 Players Late Pick 310X 1/ST Rewards Points | Gulfstream/Woodbine | today’s Summer Sweep Pick 5 WagerSCHEDULE NOTESWoodbine | added live card as makeup daySPECIAL WAGERSSummer Sweep Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 6-8-9, Parx Races 7-8--$1 minimum, 15% takeout, no CAWTOURNAMENT TIME$40 Mountaineer Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | Parx | $181, 909 | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | Gulfstream | $26,025 | begins Race 5 | 2:21 pm ETSummer Sweep Pick 5 | $7,328 | Gulfstream/Parx | begins GP Race 6 | 2:52 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $2,655 | Gulfstream | Race 9 | 4:25 pm ETKEY RACESPresque Isle Downs | Race 7 | 6:12 pm ET | Lady Erie StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXGulfstream | Race 7 | 3:23 pm ETLouisiana Downs | Race 7 | 7:53 pm ETMountaineer | Race 8 | 9:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHSaffie Joseph Jr. | Gulfstream | all 5 entrants 7-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Del Mar | trainer Doug O’Neill | 4 wins from 6 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMBrian Nadeau: Gulfstream Park Monday Full-Card PicksFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section