EXTRA INCENTIVES10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Newmarket (UK) | today’s racesKing’s Plate Flyaway Sweepstakes | Woodbine | earn up to 4 entries todaySCHEDULE NOTESGulfstream | Friday racing moved on weekly calendar to MondaysTOURNAMENT TIME$100 Saratoga Feeder | details$40 Horseshoe Indianapolis Feeder | details$40 Monmouth Feeder | details$40 The Meadows Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 5 | $21,540 | Delaware Park | begins Race 4 | 1:56 pm ETPick 5 | $50,605 | Ellis Park | begins Race 5 | 2:44 pm ETPick 6 | $69,891 | Saratoga | begins Race 5 | 3:20 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $143,730 | Prairie Meadows | begins Race 6 | 9:22 pm ETKEY RACESHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 7 | 3:08 pm ET | Clarksville HandicapHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 8 | 3:40 pm ET | William Garrett HandicapSaratoga | Race 9 | 5:40 pm ET | Victory Ride StakesPrairie Meadows | Race 5 | 8:51 pm ET | Iowa Distaff StakesPrairie Meadows | Race 6 | 9:22 pm ET | Prairie Gold Lassie StakesPrairie Meadows | Race 7 | 9:53 pm ET | Iowa OaksPrairie Meadows | Race 8 | 10:24 pm ET | Saylorville StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXDelaware Park | Race 8 | 4:04 pm ETColonial Downs | Race 8 | 4:07 pm ETMonmouth Park | Race 5 | 4:18 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHTim Hamm | Belterra Park| 3 of 4 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Woodbine | jackpot super hi 5 hit on single 20-cent ticket for $92,869Yesterday | trainer Genaro Garcia | Horseshoe Indy, Ellis | 3 wins, 1 second, 1 third from 6 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Spot Plays for Pick 6 Carryover FridayFrank Carulli: Prairie Meadows All Stakes Pick 4 for FridayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

No one was able to solve the $1 Pick 6 when racing returned at Saratoga Race Course on Thursday afternoon leaving horseplayers with a carryover of $69,891 for Friday’s 10-race card that kicks off at 1:10 eastern time. The sequence coincides with a late Pick 5 of $50k+ at Ellis Park making it a big day at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet for horizontal players. Here are a few horses I like on today’s slate at the Spa, including my play in the featured Victory Ride (G3).Race 1:There appears to be some opportunity in the Friday opener due to #1 Hadrian’s Wall being listed as the prohibitive 4-5-ML favorite. The $1.3M Curlin colt has lost three times already in his career, including twice at even money or less. In his return race during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, the Chad Brown trainee lacked speed from the gate and a strong enough late run to come close to earning his first lifetime score. Sure, one could make the case he might have needed the last race or that the move to an outside draw can help his chances, but he once again will be too short of a price for excuses. I will try to beat the seven-figure Keeneland Sept ’24 purchase with second-time starter #5 Presidential Power. The son of Constitution took no public support in a 10-horse MSW field at 6.5-furlongs on June 5. He did not met a bunch of world beaters that day, but is bred on both sides to be a colt that does his best running at two-turns. He gets plenty of added ground for Todd Pletcher in the lid lifter where he should offer fair value given the presence of Hadrian’s Wall.Play: #5 Presidential Power (5-1 ML)Picks: 5-1-6Race 5:The Pick 6 with the near $70k carryover kicks off with this second-level allowance event at 6.5-furlongs over the main track where #4 Contrary Thinking should be tough to catch. The son of Into Mischief best known for his role as a rabbit last season for Sierra Leone was purchased at the FTD sale in May for $130k and proved last out he might be more than just a stablemate for top horses after all. New trainer Amelia Green cut him back to 7-furlongs where he ran huge to lose by a nose to 6-5-ML favorite Senior Officer. The 6YO gelding cuts back another half a furlong and should be able to control the tempo in the early going. I like his chances to have enough left late to earn his first victory since last June.Play: #4 Contrary Thinking (2-1 ML)Picks 4-5-3Race 9: Victory Ride (G3)The featured event is for 3YO fillies sprinting 6.5-furlongs over the main track and marks the return of Spinaway (G1) winner #5 Tommy Jo. The Spendthrift Farm runner failed to improve from there as the distances got longer, but cuts back to a sprint in her first start of 2026. The cutback should certainly benefit, but I will let the well-bred daughter of Into Mischief beat me off the bench.I will use a few in the Pick 6, including top choice #2 Iron Orchard. The Authentic filly won a pair of races against fellow NY-breds to start her career for Danny Gargan before beating open company foes in the Frizette (G1). Things did not go as planned in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies out west and she has not raced since. She did however command a chilly $2.5M at the FTD November sale and now is in the hands of North America’s all-time leading trainer who legs up regular rider Joel Rosario. Iron Orchard comes in off a bullet 4-furlong gate drill and cuts back to a sprint. She can spring the upset here if ready to roll off bench and is still one to watch if perhaps she needs to shake off the rust for her new barn.Play: #2 Iron Orchard (5-1 ML)Picks 2-10-4

Yonkers Raceway has a 10-race card. My spot plays are in Race 3, Race 5, and Race 8. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 3 (7:25 EDT)7-Aardie B Miki N (5/2)-Came with a big try from the 7-hole and finished 2nd in last. Has been in better form in the past 2 races after shipping in from Mohawk. Now drops again looking for a win and there isn't a lot of gate speed in this contest. Should have its way with this field and Colin Kelly could be leaving to take control off the car. The outside post should help the price.Playing #7 Aardie B Miki N in a Win BetRace 5 (8:05 PM EDT)5-Bout Damn Time A (5-1)Drew off by 7-lengths versus the $20k claimers and was claimed by the Corey Stratton barn. That was the 4th claim since 5-14. That night she was claimed away from the Stratton barn, so they are familiar with this mare. Could get the jump on the morning line chalk #2 Twin B Echo who has won 2 straight. Steps up, as the connections are trying to protect her but can compete here. Should offer a square price and could be up to the challenge.Using #5 Bout Damn Time A in a Win BetRace 8 (9:05 PM EDT)3-Front Page Story (6-1)-Popped at 23-1 against this kind off a nice steer by Pat Lachance and was aided by some lively fractions. Comes off a win, unlike the rest, and this isn't the strongest field of F&M Invites. Could be in play early in the mile and can stay good for another picture. Won't be a big price like last time but could offer a nice return and double-up against this group.Will play #3 Front Page Story to WinCheck me out on X!

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: BUse: 3 DecimationForecast: 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: CUse: 6 Harpoon; 3 Hot Fries; 5 Angel of KirkForecast: 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: XUse: 6 Speightful LilyForecast: 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 VerdictForecast: 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 SunnaForecast: #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 RosapennaForecast: 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 EconomicsForecast: 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 BosunForecast: 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 BoushayForecast: 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: CUse: 1 Ole Crazy BoneForecast: 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 RyanForecast: 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.

One of the biggest cards of the weekend occurs in Shelbyville, Indiana where it is Indiana Derby Day. The folks at Horseshoe Indianapolis have put together a strong 13-race card to celebrate the biggest day of their meeting. The featured event goes as Race 12 (6:40 PM eastern) and makes up the third leg of the late Pick 4. The wager has a $1 minimum denomination and if you play it at 1/ST BET or Xpressbet you will be eligible for our 2 Million Rewards Points Hit & Split. Just head over to the promotional landing page under the promotions tab, register, and you are set to automatically earn your share of the 2 million points. Here is how I plan to attack the sequence that includes three stakes and a state-bred MSW over the sod to close things out.Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.Race 10: Jonathan B Schuster MemorialGrade: C+Main Ticket: 8 Seminole Chief; 5 EncinoBackups: 6 Higgins Boat; 3 WadsworthForecast: This 1 1/16-mile event over the grass attracted a solid field of 10 with a noticeable lack of serious early speed. It was difficult to separate this group based on current form, so I will use those I expect to be prominently placed early. This includes 20-1 longshot #8 Seminole Chief. The son of Girvin has always shown ability for Jack Sisterson winning 5 of 15 career starts. He moved into the Joe Sharp barn last out where he was dropped in class leading to a confidence building three-quarters length win at Churchill Downs. Sharp sends him the short trip from Kentucky to Horseshoe Indy where he should find a favorable early position once again, but at a much bigger price. I will make him my lukewarm top choice with plenty of respect to both the Brad Cox runners #4 Wadsworth and #5 Encino, as well as #6 Higgins Boat.Race 11: Indiana Oaks (G3)Grade: B-Main Ticket: 1 Star ActressBackups: 5 Prom QueenForecast: This year’s Indiana Oaks only drew a compact group of six, but it is competitive nonetheless. 9-5-ML favorite #5 Prom Queen gets some class relief as one of two fillies entered by Brad Cox. The Quality Road filly has disappointed in back-to-back starts, including the Kentucky Oaks (G1) where she did not get out of the gates well costing her any real chance. She returned in the Acorn (G1) where she was caught in a tight spot early and did her running from last, but had nothing left late when the real running started. There are certainly reasons to believe that the decrease in competition and a cleaner trip will lead to a much-improved performance, but at a short price she is not an attractive wagering option. I will instead take a swing with the longest shot on the board #1 Star Actress. The George Krikorian homebred tried the turf for the first time last out, but has been moved back to the dirt by trainer Bill Mott. She has just one win, but has not had things her way at all in her dirt races. She was down on a dead rail most of the way in her debut before finishing full of run late. Then, she handled business with a cleaner break in her next start before losing little in defeat in the Ashland (G1) and being caught wide throughout and racing against the flow on Oaks Day. She may have a lot of ground to make up late, but she is more talented than her running lines suggest. Hopefully, she shows it in this spot.Race 12: Indiana Derby (G3)Grade: B-Main Ticket: 8 Leading Change; 3 ZihnalBackups: NoneForecast: With #9 Desert Gate set to run in the Iowa Derby, it is likely that #8 Leading Change is sent off the heavy favorite in this year’s Indiana Derby. The Wathnan Racing colt was dominant on debut going 7-furlongs at Churchill Downs coasting to a 6-length romp. He has to prove himself at two-turns and against winners, but looks like the real deal making him tough to want to take on with confidence. That said, I will also include #3 Zihnal. I have tried to bet this gelding before in stakes spots, but he has been scratched by trainer Jonathan Thomas both times. He clearly has a lot of upside based on the way this highly respectable barn has handled him from the get-go and should get overlooked at the windows. I am unsure why the scratched him out of the Ohio Derby, but he will be on all of my tickets along with Leading Change if he remains in this spot.Race 13:Grade: C+Main Ticket: 3 Koger LaneBackups: 5 Haziel; 9 Hotline IrisForecast: The second and third place finishers from an earlier state-bred MSW at 1 1/16-miles over the turf make plenty of sense in the finale. #5 Haziel was forced to make a four-wide middle move while #9 Hotline Iris stalked three-wide into the first turn and was unable to save ground. Both were out finished that day, but in with significant chances again. That said, I prefer the likely value of second-time starter #3 Koger Lane. The daughter of Unbridled Express debuted in a dirt sprint last month for trainer Aaron West. She was out of the gates slow and ran and underwhelming third, but stretches out here and moves to the grass. Both have every right to help her against a modest group of non-winners. Hopefully, she takes to the trip with Michell Murrill back in the saddle.

EXTRA INCENTIVES10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Newmarket (UK) | today’s racesBet $100, Get $10 | Canterbury Park | today’s racesRed Shores Super Saturday Sweepstakes | Charlottetown (harness) | today’s racesTOURNAMENT TIME$100 Saratoga Feeder | details$40 Horseshoe Indianapolis Feeder | details$40 Canterbury Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $128,855 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETPick 5 | $21,540 | Delaware Park | begins Race 4 | 1:56 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | $76,475 (CAN) | Woodbine | Race 7 | 6:05 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXDelaware Park | Race 6 | 3:00 pm ETEllis Park | Race 7 | 3:42 pm ETColonial Downs | Race 8 | 4:07 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHAnthony Farrior | Charles Town | all 8 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Belterra | Race 8 | nation’s highest-paying exacta ($402), trifecta ($4856) and superfecta ($53,241)PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Spot Plays for ThursdayJeremy Plonk: Canterbury Bet $100, Get $10 Promo Picks for ThursdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

In 26 runnings of the Iowa Oaks this decade, 21 jockeys and 22 trainers visited the winners’ circle. Another chapter will be added to the 1-1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies this Friday, July 10, at Prairie Meadows. The $225,000 Oaks is part of an All-Stakes Pick 4 wager. Here’s a closer look and a suggested $1 ticket that costs $30 to play:Prairie Meadows Park 5th Race (8:51 EST) GOOD CHEER (pictured) won three consecutive Grade 2 stakes at today’s distance before she won the G-1 Kentucky Oaks at 1-1/8 miles. Her class should prevail in the $100,000 Iowa Distaff as the shortest price in the Pick 4 sequence. If GOOD CHEER is scratched, use #1 QUEEN AZTECA in the leadoff leg.Prairie Meadows Park 6th Race (9:21 EST) Maiden Special Weight winners from five tracks unite in the $100,000 Prairie Golden Lassie, with all but one making their stakes debut. WILD VEKOMA, bet down to 2-to-5 in her debut at Prairie Meadows, was far back on the turn going 5F. But she lived up to the hype in the final quarter mile, blowing past her leg-weary stablemate “without really being asked,” according to announcer Bobby Neuman. She might be this good and the extra half furlong can only help. MY KID’S SAID NO blazed to the lead under strong urging in her debut at Gulfstream Park and left three rivals in the dust. The $70,000 sales buy returned to Canterbury Park, worked in :46-4/5 from the gate in her second of two bullet preps, now shows up here. VALKYRIE, the lone entrant with a stakes race on her resume, “held firm” on the lead in her MSW debut, holding off a pair of sub 2-to-1 favorites to win at Churchill Downs.Prairie Meadows 7th Race (9:53 p.m. EST) MIZUMI saved ground, tipped 3-wide at the top of the stretch and hit her best stride in mid-stretch while drawing away from maiden Wolf Hill in the Grade 3 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita. She extended the margin quickly on the gallop out and could sit another dream stalking trip in the speed-laden Iowa Oaks at the same distance. GRACE IS FREE lost by double-digit lengths in her only two stakes races at 1-1/16 miles. But she served notice that the Iowa Oaks distance is well within reach as she sat a perfect stalking trip off a spirited pace and overpowered the field in the one-mile Panthers Stakes to go 2-for-2 locally.Prairie Meadows 8th Race (10:24 p.m. EST) On their best, the eight entrants in the $100,000 Saylorville Stakes range from an 83 to 88 Beyer speed figure. In addition, they are a combined 24-for-80 with six $200,000-plus earners. PARADISE CITY ran 6F for the first time in her career after seven months away, but she won going away despite awaiting room in early stretch on a day when off-the-pace runners fared well on the Churchill Downs dirt. THUNDERS ROCKNROLL toured four tracks and won her last four 6F stakes races by a combined 16-3/4 lengths. EVRADEAN has tactical speed, runs well fresh and is 14 of 17 in the money with a $338k bankroll at 6F. SILENT LAW won a Grade 3 stakes race through disqualification as a 3-year-old, made the lead from post 10 in the Grade 1 La Brea, now puts the blinkers back on for her second start as a 4-year-old for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. TAPIT QUICK fits on her best race, can be excused for a “bumpy” comeback and makes the ticket at 12-1 on the morning line.PrM 5th Race: 5 (If scratched, use #1)PrM 6th Race: 2, 6, 7PrM 7th Race: 1, 4PrM 8th Race: 3, 4, 5, 7, 8Cost for a $1 ticket: $30

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 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 7 | 9:22 pm ET#2 Hey River (5-2 morning line odds) appears to hold a significant early pace edge if able to outhustle #1 Eighty sixchevy, the 9-5 morning line chalk, at the start. Trainer Lynn Rarick’s runners are 6-10 in the exacta over the past few weeks and this is a pure, 7-furlong horse. Win bet #2. Daily Double 2-1. Picks: 2-1-8.Canterbury Race 8 | 9:52 pm ET#1 Levigata (4-1 morning line odds) tries 2 turns for the first time and the best time to do that is from the rail with the entire field outside of you to keep you honest when that first turn comes up quickly. Trainer Joel Berndt has won with 4 of his last 9 starters locally since June 28 (including $9 and $18 scores) and this likely will be his longer-priced of 2 entrants in this race. Win bet #1. Exacta key-box 1 with 6,7. Picks: 1-6-7Eligible tracks and days:• Thursday, July 9 // Canterbury Park• Tuesday, July 14 // Finger Lakes• Thursday, July 16 // Belterra Park• Tuesday, July 21 // Mountaineer• Thursday, July 23 // Penn National• Tuesday, July 28 // Horseshoe Indianapolis• Thursday, July 30 // Charles Town