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8.8.2026:

1/ST POST: Why Play Today? Saturday, August 8, 2026

By Xpressbet

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8.8.2026:

Al Cimaglia: Meadowlands-Hambletonian Day Analysis | Saturday, August 8, 2026

By Al CImaglia

Hambletonian Day at the Big M will include 9-Graded Stakes on the 16-race card. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track and they cover all of the Graded Stakes.Xpressbet/1st Bet Account holders will receive 10X 1st Reward Points on all bets on the Hambo card. So don't forget to register!Race 3-Cane Pace Purse $310,750 (12:50 PM EDT)2-Brandon Blvd (6/5)-The morning line chalk will be a small price and the 2nd choice #3 Gentleman's Club and #5 Odds On Mr Mamba have a shot. But with a small field and Dexter Dunn at the controls, Brandon shouldn't have a compromised trip and is on top of its game. The Andrew Harris trainee is 3-3 at M1 and when this race ends its perfect record should still be intact.2-3-5Race 8-Cashman Memorial Purse $281,200 (3:04 PM EDT)1-Super Chapter (7/2)-Lost to On To Norway two straight times by a neck in July and then tuned up at M1 in 151.4 on 8-1. Ran into a monster and today On To Norway is not a worry, and with a decent trip can take its 3rd picture in 5 races this year. Lexus Cody is no slouch but will lean toward Dunn with the Marcus Melander trainee being the best down the lane.1-6-7Race 9-Hambletonian Oaks Purse $500,000 (3:36 PM EDT)1-Busy Miss Lissy S (4-1)-Going for an upset and it looks like the Ake Svanstedt entry is peaking at the right. If Svanstedt connects it will be his 2nd Hambo Oaks win. For some, the Elimination win could be dismissed as being trip aided. But this filly has won 5 of 7 at M1, and although getting a pocket ride, she was sharp and showed her versatility. Lissy should be racing on top or close to it once the wings fold. But she also has the grit to hold onto the lead or roll by others down the lane. Yannick Gingras will steer the 2nd chalk Nezuko Kamado S as Scott Zeron was hurt in an accident Thursday night at Yonkers. No doubt, Gingras is one of the best. But this will be a new set of hands at a less than opportune time, and it may not provide a winning difference.1-2-4Race 10-Steele Memorial Purse $183,650 (4:08 PM EDT)5-Yo Tillie (3-1)-The Andrew Harris prize pupil makes her 2nd start on Lasix after winning on 8-1 in a gate to wire score. Comes back in sequence, last time was on the bench since 7-11. When this gal is right, and she looks that way now, it is hard to ignore her M1 record (9-7-0-0). Todd McCarthy should be no worse than in the pocket around the opening turn. This isn't a lay-up but with a smooth trip should have her way with this field.5-4-2Race 11-Hambletonian Final Purse $1,000,000 (4:51 PM EDT)4-Big Ranger (2-1)-It's difficult for some with an East Coast bias to recognize the talent of some bred in Ohio, Indiana or Canada. But Ohio bred or not, my take is there is no way to discount Big Ranger outstanding effort in last week's Elimination. Is it possible that Apex or Endurance could win, or someone else off a great trip? Yes, but possible and likely are two different things. If the Anette Lorentzon entry comes with the same determination today as last week, driver Tim Tetrick will take his 2nd Hambo picture.4-6-3Race 12-McKee Memorial Purse $138,650 (5:34 PM EDT)9-Lou Hill (7/2)-Lou has big gate speed and there isn't a lot of that in this field except for #4 Captain Optimistic. No doubt Yannick Gingras will be blasting off the gate. One way or the other he should be in control early in the mile. The Per Engblom trainee loves to win and has been doing a lot of it lately. In the last 10 races the 5-year-old has taken 7 pictures and is a prefect 2 for 2 at M1. Will look for another big try and the post draw helps the price.9-3-4Race 13-McKee Memorial Purse $139,900 (5:58 PM EDT)3-Bythemissal (9/2)-This race is a taffy pull, so will look for a square price and the inside draw shouldn't hurt. Missal turned heads in its last start with a 53.2 back half and rolled by them all with a 25.4 last quarter. Consecutive wins don't happen as often these days for the Ron Burke veteran, but if it repeats its last performance, it could here. Has also won 5 of 12 at M1 and that's the best win percentage in the field.3-1-7Race 14-Lady Liberty Purse $156,500 (6:24 PM EDT)2-Miki And Minnie (3-1)-Doesn't have big gate speed so that can make the job more difficult. Drawing inside could help James MacDonald stay in the hunt early on. With a decent trip the Chris Ryder entry could pull off a mild upset and beat its stablemate Twin B Joe Fresh who Dexter Dunn will be steering. Can offer some value and does very good work at M1 (9-7-0-2)2-7-4Race 15-Shady Daisy Purse $123,200 (6:48 PM EDT)5-Be Perfect BG (9/5)-This is the best horse in the field, very consistent, and Dexter Dunn does the steering. The good points don't stop there. Comes off a win, has taken 6 pictures in 7 races at M1, and draws well. Will be a small price and it would be a surprise if the Tony Beaton 3-year-old weren't posing.5-1-7Check me out on X!

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8.6.2026:

Jeremy Plonk: Del Mar Full-Card Analysis | Saturday, August 8, 2026

By Jeremy Plonk

The first open-company juvenile stakes of the Del Mar season takes place Saturday with the Best Pal, co-featured on a 10-race card that includes the Yellow Ribbon for Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf divisional prospects. A $148,537 carryover in the pick 6 gets underway in Race 5.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).Let’s get to work.Del Mar: Race 1 | maiden / optional claiming#4 Billy Goat and #5 High Pronto chased winners who will match up in the co-featured Best Pal Stakes a few races later. Tough to separate those Doug O’Neill stablemates who could be dueling up front, while top choice #6 Boss Man Bolt exits a good second July 17 over the track and continued the success we’ve seen from the Bolt d’Oro stock locally in past seasons. Blinkers off could get Boss Man Bolt over the top after being his own worst mental enemy late in his last start. Picks 6-5-4.Del Mar: Race 2 | starter / optional claimingSolid lean to top pick #2 Hannah Buckle, who is beautifully drawn for a turf mile and returns to her favorite course (2-5 here, 0-8 elsewhere). The Bated Breath offspring relish this lawn and she’s no exception. Note the mare who beat her at Santa Anita in June already has returned to win the Osunitas Stakes at this meet. #1 Eternal Reign is a public darling while favored in 8 of her last 12 starts, but she’s won just 1 of her last 10 and has settled far too many minor awards to take at a small price. #3 Nikolina might be stretched farther than her damside pedigree suggests, but intigues enough to include underneath. Picks 2-1-3.Del Mar: Race 3 | $150,000 Best Pal StakesNot unexpected, the Best Pal has been dominated by Bob Baffert’s 12 career wins, including each of the last 4. #3 Hughes debuted like a 3-5 should at Los Al and has trained well since. Liked the gallop-out from his July 25 bullet work over this track as seen at 1st.tv. Speedball #2 He Is No Lie nearly parlayed a Santa Anita debut dash win into Churchill Downs’ Bashford Manor score. He dueled the favorite into a 12-length defeat, but was nailed late by a 31-1 shot. This looks like the right pair but short prices in an uncreative opinion. #6 Kennyten romped in his SA debut, while his 2-3 pursuers already have returned to finish second in maiden heats. Picks 3-2-6.Del Mar: Race 4 | claimingTurf sprint claimer has at least 4 runners on paper who could cook early, setting this up for a finisher. The slight cut-back for #4 Tigerhon should suit him for a stalk-and-pounce under Hector Berrios, riding turf with success this meeting. Another in a line of Bated Breath offspring who relish this grass. Best bet early in the card and will feather out some depth underneath for the exotics. #5 Code Duello is the early pace player I trust most, dropping in class and so consistent on grass. He’s often hammered in the betting, so be price sensitive. #7 Regal Patriot likes to win races (45% 9-20 lifetime) and returns from the long layoff while dropping in class for a Steve Knapp barn that has struggled. Big shot to #11 Doncic if that one draws in off the also-eligible list, even from a tough post. Picks 4/11-5-7-3-1-8.Del Mar: Race 5 | claiming | start of $148,537 carryover pick 6The best maiden win in this non-winners of 2 lifetime claimer belongs to #2 Ima Track Star, and he’s merely 1-for-3 in a race loaded with horses mired at this condition for a long time. Pace looks fair, but if he’s simply faster than these it won’t be a surprise. Next door, #3 Desert Kat just missed for us at 13-1 earlier in the meet and returns in a similar spot. He’s part of a long line of tough beats for trainer George Papaprodromou this summer so far. Deserves a look, especially if price is right. #8 Chapter One has 1 “where’d that come from?” race surrounded by a bunch of lesser efforts. Hard to trust, but scary at his random best. Picks 2-3-8.Del Mar: Race 6 | maiden special weightHalf of these 10 exit the same July 18 Del Mar maiden turf mile won by a prior 0-for-4 runner. Now extending to 9 furlongs, I’m apt to reach for a fresh face. #3 Khonsu hasn’t raced since December and never on turf, but I’ll take a shot he fires early fresh in a paceless heat. The American Pharoahs have been better on turf, and the damside pedigree from an unraced dam leans grass. Second dam was a Calder turf stakes winner and the dam was half-sister to a Del Mar Green Flash Stakes turf sprint runner-up. Working sharp and we nailed an Adam Kitchingman sharp worker last week. #9 Path to Power is the other fresh face I like. The British export has all-day genes for the 9 furlongs and returns gelded and with blinkers. #1 Corkscrew Andy preferred among the July 18 returnees – quickest to return to the workout tab after that race and gets a much better post than harpooned in 10-hole last time. Picks 3-9-1.Del Mar: Race 7 | maiden special weightA spread race with no overly confident options to this eye. #6 Her Strut and #8 Take Revenge tried to close July 18 in a common event where the 1-2 finishers led throughout. Former’s trainer George Papaprodromou has better second-start stats and gets the slight nod. #4 Big Blast seemed to get better as his July 23 Del Mar 3-horse team drill from the gate went along, as seen on video. Best of the rookies. #3 Just Work It Out, albeit green, has been fast from the gate on video and might get the front for sharp debut barn John Sadler. Picks 6-4-3-8-2.Del Mar: Race 8 | $200,000 Yellow Ribbon Stakes#4 Princess Moche could get loose on the lead while making another sprint-to-route bid. Note she’s 2-for-2 when immediately extending the trip since arriving in the US from Peru. Those wins came on 17 and 21-day quick returns, so her 14-day rebound from the Daisycutter earlier this meet might be right on plan for hot-going Doug O’Neill. #5 Take a Breath gives herself a lot to overcome late but fits well with this group and should be firing in the lane like she was in last year’s Del Mar Oaks. Another Bated Breath offspring to fear on this course. Mike Maker doesn’t ship many west but #2 Sweet Rebecca was very good on a top-of-ground kind of turf at Lone Star and that will play well and similar to Del Mar. Shrewd road trip. #8 Whiskey Decision also comes west, and notably was runner-up last out to Gimme a Nother, who since returned to win last Saturday’s Beverly D at Colonial Downs. Good options in this race. Picks 4-5-2-8.Del Mar: Race 9 | allowance / optional claiming#4 Supernal won a similar condition at Los Al last out and returns Saturday for the optional claiming price to remain eligible. Six-time winner from 21 starts faces less-accomplished rivals. Has run well for Steve Knapp and Doug O’Neill through prior claims and looking for Isidro Tamayo to keep him in form. #9 Matt At Five was clearly second-best in his local unveiling July 17 and smoked a bullet since for Peter Miller. Remains on tilt and a big threat. #1 Special Club has run well over the track, but loses Juan Hernandez to #3 Miss Jo’s Curlin, perhaps a sneaky indicator on that turf runner coming off a year layoff. Picks 4-9-1-3.Del Mar: Race 10 | maiden claiming#3 Lucky Sniper didn’t want to settle when last seen in May, but since gelded and could be a different horse on the class drop if able to relax. Should be a lot of pace here drawn in the middle of the field and pace sets up for some patience. #1 Heroic Dose has been in drama through both starts but Jeff Mullins’ turfers are firing and could improve with a clean go. #5 Non Domicile might be best of a fast pace scenario but stamina comes into question. Leaning mostly on the top pair. Picks 3-1-5.

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8.6.2026:

Scott Shapiro: Saratoga's Whitney Day Full-Card Selections / Analysis | Saturday, August 8, 2026

By Scott Shapiro

One of the biggest days of the summer is upon us in upstate New York on Saturday where it is Whitney Day at Saratoga. The $1M Grade 1 at 1 1/8 miles is the headliner, but there are a trio of other Grade 1 events, as well as a plethora of loaded maiden and allowance races.The big day also marks another chance at our popular Exacta-Thon promotion at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. Details and registering are on the landing page, but the goal is to hit as many $2 exactas as possible over the course of the day. $5k is up for grabs with $3k split between all of those who can connect on five with the other $2k going to the customer(s) that hit the most.The 14-race slate gets started at 11:45 PM eastern. Here are my thoughts on each race.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: 4 With Luck Forward; 3 Gorillaz; 5 Star SaluteForecast: The card gets started with this 6.5-furlong dash for 2YOs where there is strong pedigrees amongst the nine first-time starters entered. #3 Gorillaz is a half-brother to Magnitude and is listed as the 5-2-ML favorite for Danny Gargan. I included him in my top few along with Dr. Venkman’s half-brother #5 Star Salute, but will ride the hot hand of Todd Pletcher on top at what should be a fair price. #4 With Luck Forward is out of a Speightstown mare that won first out sprinting at Gulfstream Park and has already produced a pair of runners that also won at first asking. He comes in off a steady series of local drills and lures Jose Ortiz.Race 2:Grade: C+Use: 6 Iron Confessor; 10 Implied Open; 8 MystrixForecast: I struggled finding something I liked with confidence in the second division of the 6.5-furlong dash for 2YOs, so I took a swing with #6 Iron Confessor. Trainer Amelia Green has not had much luck so far this summer at the Spa and has had no success on her own thus far with first-time starters. That said, she worked under Todd Pletcher for some time, so it is likely more of a stock thing than anything she specifically is not doing to have them cranked at first asking. Her statistics should help the price on #6 Iron Confessor. The son of Basin commanded $190k at the OBS March ’26 sale, which is noteworthy since his sire stands for just $5k. The fact Green attracts Flavien Prat leads me to believe this colt has some talent and worth a swing in a wide-open start to the early Pick 4.Race 3:Grade: B-Use: 4 Vibe/6 Yo DaddyForecast: There is a noticeable lack of early speed in this $130k allowance, which should benefit #4 Vibe assuming he is no worse for the wear after being pulled up out of the Met Mile (G1) in early June. The $3M Keeneland September ’23 purchase came into his first stakes start on a three-race winning streak and should have no issue controlling the pace on the stretch out with Irad Ortiz Jr. jumping onboard for the initial time. If he is right and loose on the lead, I expect him to be very tough to catch. If Vibe fails to fire his best shot, #6 Yo Daddy is a solid alternative. Trainer Linda Rice is heating up and this son of Yoshida cuts back in distance after a stalk and fade in the Suburban (G2).Race 4:Grade: C+Use: 1 Consumer Sentiment; 8 Lovely ChristinaForecast: I struggled to get creative in this first-level allowance over the grass where 2-1-ML favorite #1 Consumer Sentiment has not raced in 16 months, but still appears the one to beat. The daughter of Speightstown found a favorable mid-pack spot from her outside draw in her turf debut last May before winning for fun. The time off is a concern as always, but she has six works in succession for a barn that can have them ready off the bench. Plus, she draws favorably along the rail and gets Flavien Prat for the first time. She is the one to beat, but not one I am rushing to bet. Perhaps, #8 Lovely Christina will give her a run for her money. The Vekoma filly tries the grass for the first time. She is out of a Wildcat Heir mare that earned 7 of her 8 career wins over the grass and gets Irad in the saddle.Race 5:Grade: B-Use: 3 Agoo; 7 TagermeenForecast: A pair of 3YOs tackling older competition are expected to take the most money by oddsmaker David Aragona with #6 Pretty Boy Miah listed as the 2-1-top choice. The son of Beau Liam very well could appreciate the cutback to a sprint after being caught wide into the first turn in his third-place finish going 1 1/8-miles last out, but that price is far too short for me. I outright prefer 3-1-second choice #7 Tagermeen who failed to win as a juvenile, but took on some of the fastest 2YOs in the land. He won professionally off the layoff to kick off his 3YO campaign and should get another great trip under Jose Ortiz. He is the likeliest winner, but #3 Agoo is the horse I am more excited to wager on. The range of outcomes is high on this 5YO making his first start since October ’24, but he has been working steadily for some time for trainer Whit Beckman. Picking a spot on Whitney Day for his return appears to be a tell that he is ready to roll.Race 6:Grade: B-Use: 3 Red Poppy; 6 Aerial Affair; 7 Dulce VitaForecast: #6 Aerial Affair ran big in her first start. She did not break well and made a big middle move trying to catch up to impressive first out winner Angel of Kirk. The Flightline filly was passed late for the runner-up spot, but was clearly second best that day. She should improve with the experience under her belt, but meets what appears to be a loaded field. #7 Dulce Vita has the pedigree I like most in terms of precocity, but Todd Pletcher’s barn is going too well to overlook. The Hall of Fame conditioner is 10 for 27 over the last 15 days at the Spa for a $4.03 ROI and sends out #3 Red Poppy. The bottom side pedigree is fine, but far from overwhelming, yet she sold for $900k at Ocala in April. She has been working strong, including a bullet best of 26 five-furlong drill on August 1. I am expecting a big effort the way this barn is going of late.Race 7:Grade: CUse: 4 Write Off Jerry; 1 Monterey Bay; 8 Fort ThomasForecast: I struggled to make heads or tails of this first-level allowance over the Inner Turf, so logically I will take a swing with a big price. #4 Write Off Jerry makes his first start off the claim for trainer Ilkay Kantarmaci after being caught wide throughout in a similar spot in early July. The son of Practical Joke moves to an inside post, ran well in his other two starts over the Saratoga green, and gets a positive rider upgrade at the moment to Manny Franco. I like him most given value in a race I can see just about anything happening in.Race 8:Grade: C+Use: 1 Djokovic; 6 Port in a Storm; 12 And the Runner Is; 7 Revenue StreamForecast: This MSW event for 2YOs at 1 1/16-miles over the Inner Turf is another race where there are plenty of ways to go. The ML favorites #7 Revenue Stream and #12 And the Runner is make plenty of sense. And the Runner is nearly got there on debut, but fell short and finished second. He retains Irad, but draws once again unfavorably. Revenue Stream is one of several first-timers entered. He might want longer in the end, but gets Prat for a barn obviously capable. They are more likely to win than others, but it is a betting game and #1 Djokovic and #6 Port in a Storm are the values. Djokovic is out of a fantastic female family and draws the rail on debut, while Port in a Storm is a half-brother to Limited Liability. Shug McGaughey has had a slow summer, but is still capable of popping with a two-turn horse debuting over the lawn.Race 9: Test (G1)Grade: BUse: 1 Movie Night/3 Sippin PrettyForecast: The first of the four Grade 1 races is the premier event of the summer for 3YO filly sprinters and it drew yet another strong field. #7 Explora was made the 5-2-ML favorite off of her win over #6 On Time Girl two months ago at Churchill Downs. Both the Bob Baffert and Brad Cox trainees fit well in here, but I prefer a pair of fillies with a bit less experience.#1 Movie Night is my top choice. This Winstar Farm homebred has done almost nothing wrong through three starts and should get an honest to pace to chase. The fact she has to deal with the rail for the first time is the main concern, but gets the right man in the saddle in Jose Ortiz. #3 Sippin Pretty has also done little wrong yet for Ian Wilkes, but her one chance against On Time Girl led to a disappointing effort. She should get another great trip though at a fair price under Ricardo Santana Jr. after a perfect one in her win in the Victory Ride (G3) last month.Race 10: Fourstardave (G1)Grade: B-Use: 1 Rhetorical; 7 LagynosForecast: I am hoping for a Will Walden Grade 1 double since I landed on NY-bred #1 Rhetorical in this year’s Fourstardave. The son of Not This Time has competed in races that are a bit longer than he prefers since the Turf Classic (G1) and the Manhattan (G1) were the best spots for him, but he should relish getting back to eight-furlongs. He was too good for the field two-back on Derby Day, but the distance clearly caught up with him last out. Now, the 5YO gelding draws the rail and should get a dream run in the pocket with Irad back in the saddle. He is likely to be tough to get by late. If the race falls apart late, the underappreciated #7 Lagynos is the likeliest to run by them all. The Steve Asmussen trainee has won 10 of 28 overall, including five in a row. I am not sure his late kick is at its best at one-mile, but it will probably be good enough if he gets the right setup.Race 11: Saratoga Derby (G1)Grade: C+Use: 4 Title Role; 10 West End Kid/6 GlaciusForecast: I lack a strong opinion in this 1 3/16-mile event for 3YOs over the grass other than 3-1-favorite #3 Remember Mamba appears once again unlikely to get the right setup for his strong late kick. Last out in the Belmont Derby (G1), Jose Ortiz had the Kitten’s Joy colt closer than expected due to a slow early tempo. With the lack of speed once again signed on, he is probably going to have to be much the best to get to the wire first. I will try to get the jump on him with #4 Title Role and #10 West End Kid. They finished 1-2 last out besting Remember Mamba by a neck and have the tactical speed from the gate that the favorite lacks.Race 12: Whitney (G1)Grade: C+Use: 3 Antiquarian; 5 White AbarrioForecast: The featured event drew the top three from the Stephen Foster (G1) run over the sloppy going in late June. #1 Magnitude wired out the field that day earning his fourth straight win, but I am not so sure the Winchell Thoroughbreds colt is going to have things too easy on the front end in the Whitney. With the filly #2 Nitrogen to his immediate outside and #4 Forged Steel not too far away, it is hard to see a scenario outside of gate issues that lead to an easy lead for the near $10M earner.#8 Baeza ran by stablemate #6 Sovereignty easily in the lane in the Foster despite another terrible break from the starting gate. Baeza clearly has a lot of ability, but something appears to be missing from a mental standpoint making him tough to trust. Sovereignty is likely to run his race, but I do not think his best stands out in 2026 like it did a year ago. Plus, he is almost certain to be an underlay.The lack of excitement in the three favorites’ chances at their likely off odds has me looking for a price. #5 White Abarrio is definitely worth consideration if he gets overlooked in the wagering. The son of Race Day has not performed at his best at Saratoga, but should get a great trip and obviously has races that beat this group. I ended up landing on #3 Antiquarian though. As mentioned already, the Todd Pletcher barn is on fire and this horse has had excuses in his last three. He has raced twice this year at too sharp of a distance and then last time did not have much go his way when chasing gate-to-wire winner Phileas Fogg. The son of Preservationist has run some big races over his 13-race career and gets hot riding Manny Franco aboard at a square price.Race 13:Grade: BUse: 3 Helen’s RevengeForecast: There should be an honest pace in this first-level allowance at 7-furlongs, which bodes well for the chances of #3 Helen’s Revenge. The Linda Rice trainee rattled off three wins in a row this spring at Aqueduct before finishing third in a race here in early June where the speeds ran 1-2 around the track. She did well to finish third and now gets a rider upgrade to Flavien Prat. Hopefully, we get the 6-1-ML offering.Race 14:Grade: C+Use: 4 Versailles Road; 6 Very Connected; 8 Miztronic; 9 Stark; 5 Light CavForecast: The pace should also be honest in the finale assuming both #1 Rothschild and #7 Complex Agenda remain in the field. Many handicappers will look to 7-2-favorite #2 General Partner, but I lack interest in the Kingman colt. He has failed twice as the public choice since breaking his maiden a year ago over this course. I am not convinced the added ground will make enough of a difference. I will use a number of runners against the chalk to close things out, including another Todd Pletcher runner as my top choice. #4 Versailles Road broke his maiden in gate-to-wire fashion, but is unlikely to be on the lead in this spot. He ran a solid third in a similar spot in his first try versus winners and moves to a more favorable inside draw.

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8.6.2026:

Jeremy Plonk: Bet $100, Get $10 Canterbury Key Plays | Thursday, August 6, 2026

By Jeremy Plonk

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 Thursday will be Canterbury Park. Here’s how I’ll approach the card in Minnesota with an assist from the Betmix Angler database.Canterbury Race 6 | 8:34 pm ET#4 I’ll Make Bank (12-1 morning line odds) catches a smallish field size for turf (7) and will be flying on the front end if he takes to grass at all. Trainer Patrick Fields is 4-11 at the meet with limited starters, more notable 3 of his last 4 ($6, $9, $13) with 2 of those on turf. Win bet #4. Exacta key-box 4 with 3,6. Picks: 4-3-6Canterbury Race 9 | pm ET#4 Tiger Hunter (6-1 morning line odds) got an old-school sprint prep in the return and now goes sprint-to-route while second off the layoff. Trainer Chip Woolley of Mine That Bird fame has seen his barn take off in recent weeks, with 3 wins ($6, $8, $23) and 2 seconds in his last 8 starters. Win bet #4. Exacta key-box 4 with 3,5. Daily Double 4-2 to Woolley’s 5-2 shot Ize a Blast in the finale. Picks: 4-3-5

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8.6.2026:

1/ST POST: Why Play Today? Thursday, August 6, 2026

By Xpressbet

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8.5.2026:

Scott Shapiro: Saratoga Spot Plays | Thursday, August 6, 2026

By Scott Shapiro

Whitney Week in Saratoga Springs heats up on Thursday with a solid ten-race card that kicks off at 1:10 PM eastern. The day includes a NY-bred stakes event over the main track and a pair of high-quality allowances over the grass. Here are the horses I like most.Race 2:My first play comes in this state-bred MSW event for 2YOs at 1 1/16-miles over the Inner Turf where the field of ten is led by 5-2-ML favorite #5 Al Mowashaah. The pricey Tiz the Law colt debuted at Aqueduct going 5.5-furlongs over the main track in June where he was outrun by all three rivals as the 8-5-public choice. He stretches out to two turns for Brad Cox, tries the grass, and attracts Irad Ortiz Jr., but is likely to get over bet based on connections. So, I will try to beat the chalk with first-time starter #3 Howard’s Hope. The son of Karakontie makes his first start for trainer Horacio De Paz. De Paz has had a strong summer thus far at the Spa winning with 6 of 19 for an ROI of $6.89 and this gelding is bred on both sides to appreciate the surface and distance. Manny Franco is riding well, so him being in the saddle brings confidence along with a favorable inside draw for the Barry Schwartz owned runner.Play: #3 Howard’s Hope (9-2 ML)Picks: 3-7-2Race 8:#2 Starship Titan is halfway through his 5YO season, yet the Michelle Nevin trainee has only raced four times. The son of Not This Time clearly has soundness issues, but has been serious when running over the grass thus far. He broke his maiden via DQ a little over a year to the day over a good turf course before springing the upset at 39-1 in a first-level allowance at Aqueduct last October. Nevin gave Starship Titan lots of time off after the big victory before bringing him back last month in a similar spot at one-mile where he rode the rail throughout in an attempt to run down the lone speed winner. He was unable to get there missing by three-quarters of a length in the end, but it is a great sign he returns quickly. The stretch out to nine-furlongs and favorable inside draw only add to the case of the 5-2-choice on David Aragona’s morning line.Plays: #2 Starship Titan (5-2 ML)Picks: 2-9-1Race 9: John MorrisseyThe featured event for NY-breds traveling seven-furlongs over the main track came up extremely competitive evidenced by the 7-2-ML favorite. I will take a swing here with #5 Buttah. The son of Leofric moved into the Ilkay Kantarmaci barn this spring and rattled off a pair of strong efforts in open company first-level allowance events since. The most recent one came over this surface during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival when he used an inside trip to get to the wire first at odds of 29-1. Now, the 4YO colt moves back into the NY-bred ranks and competes over a racetrack he has won 2 of 4 over thus far. His tactical speed should allow him to find a prominent spot early, but also not force him to go with a couple of runners that probably need the lead to be at their best. Buttah heads into this spot fresh and in the best form of his career. Javier Castellano will hope to make it two upset wins in a row in the saddle.Play: #5 Buttah (12-1 ML)Picks: 5-6-7

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8.5.2026:

Jeremy Plonk: Del Mar Spot Plays | Thursday, August 6, 2026

By Jeremy Plonk

Del Mar opens Week 4 of the summer meet Thursday with an 8-race card that includes 4 maiden tilts. Favorites are 10-41 (24%) in maiden races so far this stand with an average winner a shade over 6-1 odds. No reason to stop our pursuit of good, mid-level prices that have been a hallmark of the first 10 days of action. The 57 top picks in this space have returned $164.00 for a juicy $2.88 ROI for every $2 bet and an average winner paying $12.62. First post Thursday 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 2 | 5:30 pm ET#4 Berry Valley (12-1 morning line odds) has the 2-sprints-to-a-route form cycle off the layoff that can produce major improvement and note she was a winner the last time raced around 2 turns. Trainer Librado Barocio has just 3 sprint-to-dirt-mile moves on his ledger at Del Mar the past 5 summer seasons, winning twice (including a $94.40 bomber). Win-place bet #4. Exacta key-box 4 with 1,7,3. Picks 4-1-7.Del Mar: Race 6 | 7:34 pm ET#4 Street Swindler (5-1 morning line odds) looks to keep the Mark Glatt-trained maidens honed-in at this Del Mar meet. They’ve gone 10: 3-2-1 with a 59% flat-bet profit, including 2-for-3 with debuts ($9, $12 while a 16-1 shot ran fourth in the other). Son of local Pacific Classic winner Candy Ride and note this one’s dam Flash Magic debuted a good second on the local dirt in 2020. She’s from the same female family as Good Magic, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar winner. Looks like they’ve been aiming here for months. Win bet #4. Picks 4-1-8Del Mar: Race 8 | 8:36 pm ET#7 Grievous Angel (6-1 morning line odds) returns from a year layoff and resurfaces with a barn change to Steve Knapp. This filly was live on the tote in her even-running debut last summer and fired a bullet gate work here July 30 to signify sharpness. The Tough Sunday offspring have been wildly successful and profitable over the Del Mar dirt in recent years, and she’ll get her first chance to add to that. Win bet #7. Picks 7-2-9

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