EXTRA INCENTIVES10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Summer Sweep 5 | Gulfstream/WoodbineWoodbine Mile Flyaway Sweepstakes | earn up to 4 entries todaySPECIAL WAGERSSummer Sweep Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 5-6-7, Woodbine Races 5-6--$1 minimum, 15% takeout, no CAWTOURNAMENT TIME$800 Del Mar Pacific Classic Qualifier | details$100 Saratoga Feeder | details$80 Del Mar Feeder | details$40 Canterbury Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 5 | Monmouth Park | $49,347 | begins Race 1 | 12:50 pm ETKEY RACESCanterbury | Race 3 | 3:10 pm ET | Victor Myers StakesEllis Park | Race 6 | 3:12 pm ET | Pucker Up StakesColonial Downs | Race 7 | 3:30 pm ET | Hickory Tree StakesEllis Park | Race 7 | 3:42 pm ET | Water Tower StakesColonial Downs | Race 8 | 3:58 pm ET | Keswick StakesEllis Park | Race 8 | 4:12 pm ET | Tri-State Turf Sprint StakesCanterbury | Race 4 | 4:24 pm ET | Frances Genter StakesEllis Park | Race 9 | 4:42 pm ET | Sunkissed StakesSaratoga | Race 8 | 5:09 pm ET | Glens Falls StakesEllis Park | Race 10 | 5:12 pm ET | Green River Island StakesSaratoga | Race 9 | 5:44 pm ET | Curlin StakesSaratoga | Race 10 | 6:19 pm ET | Adirondack StakesDel Mar | Race 9 | 9:10 pm ET | CTBA StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXSaratoga | Race 5 | 3:26 pm ETEllis Park | Race 9 | 4:42 pm ETMountaineer | Race 4 | 8:15 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHMiguel Clement | Saratoga, Monmouth | 8 of 9 entrants 3-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Saratoga | trainer Todd Pletcher | 5 wins from 8 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Full-Card Sunday PicksJeremy Plonk: Del Mar Full-Card Sunday PicksBrian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The third week of the Del Mar summer stand wraps with 2-year-olds spotlighted in the $100,000 CTBA Stakes. No strong opinion in that one, but the poor gate exits for the morning line favorite Free Closer open up the upset discussion. First post for Sunday’s 10-race card 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 was Saturday).Del Mar: Race 2 | 5:32 pm ET#1 Honky Tonk Girl (8-1 morning line odds) showed a bit of early life in her Churchill debut before tiring in May. She’s had a series of works since, including a gate drill over the track July 27. This ship-and-win bonus play while dropping 2YOs from maiden special to maiden claiming has been a hot spot for trainer Peter Miller. He’s done it 5 times since 2021 with 3 wins ($7, $9, $18) and a second (at 11-1 odds) among those. Win bet #1. Picks 1-5-2-8Del Mar: Race 3 | 6:04 pm ET#3 Miss Mandalay (8-1 morning line odds) has been rock-solid in Del Mar turf sprints and should get a dynamite trip here just off a hot pace while saving ground. Just missed at 8-1 last summer in a very similar spot and pace situation from an inside draw. Joel Rosario hasn’t been on his game of late, but he’s one of the best turf sprint jockeys in the game when focused. Win bet #3. Picks 3-5-1Del Mar: Race 5 | 7:10 pm ET#6 One Smokin Dude (4-1 morning line odds) could get trainer George Papaprodomou over the hump at the Del Mar summer meet. He’s had a wild 16 second and third-place finishers (3 wins) from his first 30 starters and knocking on the door. These bottom-level claimers have been a haven for the barn with 27% wins and a $1.37 ROI for every $1 bet at Del Mar during summer the past 5 seasons. He’s 34% first off the claim overall and picked up this Del Mar course winner for a $8,000 song at Los Al last time and gets to run for a winner’s share more than double that here. Win bet #6. Picks 6-8-9

The racing week concludes in Saratoga Springs, NY later this afternoon after Renegade stole the headlines yesterday with his late run to get the best of Commandment in the Jim Dandy (G2). The win gave trainer Todd Pletcher five on the day and sets the Repole Stable runner up to try to seek revenge on Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) victor Golden Tempo in the Travers (G1) after being out finished in the two Triple Crown races this spring.We shift gears to a Sunday 11-race card that includes a pair of rescheduled graded stakes races from earlier this week and the Adirondack (G3) for 2YO fillies. Here are a few horses I like on the slate.Race 7:My first play of the day comes in this 5.5-furlong turf sprint for allowance foes where I will try to spring the upset with #5 Keewaydin. The Instagrand colt tried the grass for the first time on June 20 at Aqueduct where he took command early and finished well to earn his third lifetime victory. He is unlikely to have things his own on the front end given the speed to his inside, but I am not convinced he needs things all his way on the engine to have a good chance in this spot. He might just be better over the grass. Manny Franco is back from Virginia to ride the 4YO colt he was aboard in his last win. The Oxo Equine runner should offer solid value on the class rise.Play: #5 Keewaydin (6-1 ML)Picks: 5-8-4Race 9: CurlinThis restricted 1 1/8-stakes event for 3YOs which have not won a graded stakes race was originally scheduled for Wednesday, but was rescheduled for today due to torrential rains. The $150k race marks the return of 4-5-ML favorite #6 Chief Wallabee. The Bill Mott trainee was highly regarded throughout the winter and spring after a stylish victory at Gulfstream Park on debut. He disappointed though from there in the Florida Derby (G1), Kentucky Derby, and Belmont Stakes, but gets some class relief later today. The Constitution colt is obviously capable of winning, but hard for me to trust at this point at a short price.I like #7 Blackout Time. The son of Not This Time did little wrong as a 2YO, including a runner-up effort to Ted Noffey in the Breeders Futurity (G1). He was forced to the sidelines from there and disappointed in his attempts at Arkansas to be a factor on the Derby Trail. Trainer Kenny McPeek opted to give him a few months off and brought him back in late June in a solid first-level allowance event over the sloppy going in Louisville. The $210k FTK October ’24 purchase surprised me with a dominant off-the-pace win going away, which sets him up for a big run later today. Jose Ortiz remains aboard a colt that I had a futures bet on for this year’s “Run for the Roses.” Hopefully, he makes a better than late delivery.Play: #7 Blackout Time (3-1 ML)Picks: 7-6-1Race 10: Adirondack (G3)This 6.5-furlong affair for 2YO fillies over the main track appears extremely competitive and wide-open with a number of impressive first out winners and the lone two-time victor #3 Pierette. The Mark Casse trainee rattled off back-to-back wins to kick off her career in Louisville, including a victory last out in the $225k Debutante. She is the horse to beat, but I will take a shot with Texas-bred #2 Caroline’s Girl. The daughter of Maximus Mischief did not get off to a good start in her debut against fellow state-breds on June 14, but made an eye-catching middle move while extremely wide on the turn and into the lane at Lone Star Park. She apparently was privately purchased after the race and now is in the hands of trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. It has been a slow meet thus far for Joseph, but this gal looks to have talent. She has one local drill and gets Flavien Prat. Hopefully, she handles the class hike.Play: #2 Caroline’s Girl (9-2 ML)Picks: 2-3-6

Running Aces has a big 12-race card. The feature rolls in Race 8 The Dan Patch Free For All Final with a $50,000 purse. There is a forced payout in the 0.20 Pick 5 that also starts in Race 8. The sequence has a carryover of $49,844.95. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 4 (7:06 Pm EDT)4-Imoutthedoor (4-1)-Beat better on 6-12 with a sharp effort but was DQ'd and placed 7th. That was unfortunate but now is able to land in a soft spot. Nick Roland should be leaving again and could have its way with this field if comes with another strong try.Playing #4 Imoutthefrontdoor to Win4-2-8Race 9 (8:56 PM EDT)3-Banker's Grace (6-1)-Likes to compete and fits with this group but needs to be in put play early in the mile. Gets post relief, and this group isn't loaded with gate speed. This race could set up for Scott Cisco who posts 21% winners for the Dan Roland barn. Could get the jump on this group and will look for an aggressive drive at a square price.Will play #3 Banker's Grace to Win3-5-4Race 11 (9:40 PM EDT)4-Gandalf (9/2)-Has been facing tougher and now takes a meaningful drop to a level where a win can happen. The last time in versus similar was in May, took a picture and then came 2nd. Both times raced near the top of the stack and will look for that same plan tonight.Using #4 Gandalf in a Win Bet4-6-3Check me out on X!

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $200, Get $20 | Saratoga ($100+) & Del Mar ($100+) | today’s races$5,000 Hit & Split | Colonial Downs | late pick 4 ($2500) & pick 5 ($2500)10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Summer Sweep 5 | Gulfstream/WoodbineWoodbine Mile Flyaway Sweepstakes | earn up to 4 entries todaySPECIAL WAGERSSummer Sweep Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 6-7-8, Woodbine Races 6-7--$1 minimum, 15% takeout, no CAWTOURNAMENT TIME$1,000 Saratoga / Jim Dandy BCBC Qualifier | details$125 Fun in the Sun (Saratoga & Del Mar) | details$80 Del Mar Feeder | details$40 Canterbury Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSSuper Hi 5 | Ellis Park | $7,238 | Race 1 | 12:50 pm ETPick 5 | Delaware Park | $6,667 | begins Race 3 | 1:24 pm ETPick 6 | Colonial Downs | $13,564 | begins Race 6 | 2:27 pm ETPick 6 | Saratoga | $143,193 | begins Race 7 | 3:54 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | Charles Town | $57,871 | begins Race 3 | 8:02 pm ETPick 6 | Los Alamitos (AQHA) | $57,724 | begins Race 3 | 11:15 pm ETKEY RACESColonial Downs | Race 4 | 1:26 pm ET | Guest StakesColonial Downs | Race 5 | 1:55 pm ET | Petramalo Mile StakesColonial Downs | Race 6 | 2:27 pm ET | Gilpin StakesMonmouth | Race 5 | 2:57 pm ET | Incredible Revenge StakesColonial Downs | Race 7 | 2:59 pm ET | Reigh Count StakesSaratoga | Race 6 | 3:20 pm ET | Saratoga Special StakesDelaware Park | Race 7 | 3:32 pm ET | Sussex HandicapColonial Downs | Race 8 | 3:35 pm ET | Van Clief StakesColonial Downs | Race 9 | 4:22 pm ET | Secretariat StakesEllis | Race 9 | 4:42 pm ET | Riverside Rush StakesColonial Downs | Race 10 | 5:03 pm ET | Beverly D StakesSaratoga | Race 9 | 5:06 pm ET | Lake George StakesEllis | Race 10 | 5:12 pm ET | Hummingbird StakesWoodbine | Race 9 | 5:25 pm ET | Seagram CupSaratoga | Race 10 | 5:44 pm ET | Jim Dandy StakesColonial Downs | Race 11 | 5:52 pm ET | Arlington MillionDel Mar | Race 5 | 7:10 pm ET | California Dreamin’ StakesDel Mar | Race 10 | 9:40 pm ET | Clement Hirsch StakesEvangeline Downs | Race 8 | 9:40 pm ET | Shine Young FuturityLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXEllis Park | Race 7 | 3:42 pm ETSaratoga | Race 8 | 4:28 pm ETColonial Downs | Race 10 | 5:03 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHSteve Asmussen | Saratoga | 5 of 6 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Saratoga | jockey Jose Ortiz | 3 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds from 6 mountsYesterday | Colonial Downs | trainer Brittany Russell | 3 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds from 8 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Full-Card Saturday PicksJeremy Plonk: Del Mar Full-Card Saturday PicksScott Shapiro: Colonial Downs $5,000 Hit & Split AnalysisJeremy Plonk: Race of the Week – Arlington Million at Colonial DownsFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The Meadowlands has a 14-race card featuring Eliminations for the Hambo and Hambo Oaks. Tonight's Spot Plays are in Race 4, Race 8 and Race 9. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 4 (7:35 PM EDT)2-Frattina Diablo S (3-1)-Will take a swing here and try to take down the 9/5 choice Nezuko Kamado S who has been off since 7-11. It will take a strong effort to post an upset but the Alagna filly is sharp. Posted a win on 6-14 before taking a few weeks off. Then won again, coming off the bench on 7-10 and came a close 2nd on 7-25. Will need to dial it up to cash the top check but likes M1 (7-2-3-2) and is versatile. Could be overlooked, should be racing near the top and be in position to win.Using #2 Frattina Diablo S in a Win Bet2-5-4Race 8 (9:15 PM EDT)7-Ubrute (8-1)-Brandon Blvd will be tough to beat if brings a top effort. But at a healthy price, and the morning line might be too low, Yannick Gingras should have in play off the gate. Things could get interesting if Gingras lands a good early seat and does have big speed to use.Will play #7 Ubrute to Win7-2-4Race 9 (9:40 PM EDT)7-Magic Punk (8-1)-Made a rare break at VD and lost all chance on 7-19. Before that, won 2 of 3 facing tough foes and likes M1 (6-4-0-1). The Svanstedt pupil excels on large ovals, Yannick Gingras sticks and he posts 23% winners for this barn. Could bounce back in a big way with a smooth trip.Playing #7 Magic Punk in a Win Bet7-1-9Check me out on X!

Mother Nature forced the postponement of racing on Wednesday afternoon, but hopefully surfaces will be fast and firm by the time we get to Jim Dandy Day on Saturday. The 12-race card at Saratoga that is headlined by the return of Renegade and Commandment in their likely prep before next month’s Travers (G1) also includes the Saratoga Special (G2) and Lake George (G3) and gets rolling at 12:30 PM eastern. A $143,193 pick 6 carryover adds extra juice and begins in Race 7. Be sure to play in the Bet $200, Get $20 promotion at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet on Saturday. Bet at least $100 on both the Del Mar and Saratoga cards to receive the bonus cash in your account. Here are my full card thoughts.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 Bittersweet Memory; 3 Correlation TradeForecast: The opener is a MSW event for 2YO fillies at 1 1/16-miles over the Inner Turf where I landed on #4 Bittersweet Memory. The daughter of The Factor was scheduled to debut a few weeks back for Kelsey Danner, but was forced to scratch after flipping in the paddock before the race. She was re-entered quickly last weekend, but did not draw in off the AE list. She appears live at first asking, as does the more obvious #3 Correlation Trade. Chad Brown is just 3 for 25 over the last two years with 2YOs debuting in turf routes at Saratoga, but the three winners were all Klaravich Stables runner like this gal. He is more than capable of having his runners ready to win first out. Correlation Trade attracts Flavien Prat and draws favorably along the inside.Race 2:Grade: C+Use: 2 Annotate; 6 Lot of Loon; 8 DoitforjackForecast: A pair of first-time starters intrigue in this 6-furlong dash over the main track for NY-bred maidens, as well as a filly with experience. I landed on #2 Annotate on top given her early speed through two starts. She battled between rivals in her first start at Aqueduct before giving way badly followed by a Saratoga debut where she stalked early while wide on the backstretch and once again lacked energy late. She needs to run better, but could have a pace advantage with Ricardo Santana Jr. aboard. Lot of Loon and Doiforjack both draw outside Annotate. They both have showed talent in the mornings and attract top tier riders.Race 3:Grade: C+Use: 2 Tuscan Sky; 6 Reasoned Analysis; 1 GewurztraminerForecast: #6 Reasoned Analysis is the likeliest winner of this $100k claimer out of the Wilson chute after backing off and opting to stalk the contentious pace in his return on July 4 in a rare race over this configuration that fell apart late. The son of Upstart has every reason to move forward with the start under his belt and the strong run off the bench, but the tote will almost certainly illustrate that. #2 Tuscan Sky was toiling in the back in the same race my top choice exits because for some reason he was caught in between two runners as part of a three-way speed duel early on. That was not the trip backers anticipated on the Fourth of July, but either way it feels like now or never for this Repole Stable gelding that should sit a much more favorable mid-pack voyage with Flavien Prat back aboard.Race 4:Grade: B-Use: 1 Subjugation/9 Dream More; 6 Cybersteel; 4 Chief of StaffForecast: The regally-bred first-time starter #9 Dream More, as well as other promising juvenile debut runners headline this six-furlong MSW event for 2YOs over the main track, but do not snooze on second-time starter #1 Subjugation. The pricey son of Bee Jersey ran a big second on debut at Ellis Park to odds-on winner Antivenom with nearly six lengths back to third. He showed strong gate speed in his first start, so the inside draw should end up working beautifully. I will ride with him, but have plenty of respect for the aforementioned $1.5M son of Gun Runner, as well #4 Chief of Staff and #6 Cybersteel. Taking too short of a price on anyone seems foolish. There is plenty of upside on display. I will have my note pad out.Race 5:Grade: C+Use: 6 Wyna; 8 Life ChangingForecast: Trainer Brad Cox has meant business thus far with 2YO first-time starters over the Saratoga dirt. Cox has started seven debut runners over the main track in New York dating back to July 11. He has three wins, a second, and a third to show for it. The high-percentage conditioner sends out this $200k daughter of Complexity that also looks live at first asking. I will side with her and the half-sister to Seize the Grey, #8 Life Changing in this 6-furlong dash over the main track. The Repole Stable filly fired a best of 120 runners gate drill over the training track on July 20 and draws favorably. She attracts the aggressive Luis Saez.Race 6: Saratoga Special (G2)Grade: CUse: 3 Twinkle TownForecast: Sanford Stakes (G3) winner #4 Booked returns to the races in the first of three graded stakes races on the Saturday slate. The Yaupon colt took a step forward to win his first start versus winners, but could be vulnerable given the fact that no one has won both the Sanford and Saratoga Special since City Zip in 2000. Steve Asmussen obviously knows his colt best though and is understandably aiming to strike while the iron is hot. He is a likely winner as is dominant first out winner #6 Flight Command, but maybe #3 Twinkle Town will get slightly overlooked. The Kenny McPeek runner showed strong gate speed on debut over the off track and cruised home to an easy victory. He attracts Jose Ortiz for his first stakes try.Race 7:Grade: B+Use: 8 Iron Dome; 7 Pagode/2 Hop SingForecast: I like older runners to handle the lightly raced 3YOs in this nine-furlong affair for first-level allowance foes over the main track. #8 Iron Dome is the one I like most. The New York-bred thrived against softer competition over this surface and distance last summer and comes off a solid runner-up effort when chasing an inside speed winner all the way around the track. He should be prominent early and primed for his best. #7 Pagode also is an intriguing option. The Constitution gelding commanded $255k at the FTK Horses of Racing Age Sale earlier this year and attracts Irad Ortiz. He has been camera shy of late, but fits well with these nonetheless.Race 8:Grade: B-Use: 1 Big Earn; 5 Silsbee/6 Heat MissileForecast: There should be an honest pace at the very least in this first-level allowance at 5.5-furlongs over the grass. #2 Lady Jancis is very quick with others to her outside that also like to be prominent early. This should set things up for a runner from the second or third tier. #5 Silsbee will take plenty of public support in her second start off the bench after battling early and giving way late last month. Edgard Zayas should be able to find a favorable stalking voyage instead of getting caught up in a speed duel like she did in her 4YO debut. She makes plenty of sense, but not from a wagering perspective. #1 Big Earn makes far more at her likely price. The Maryland-bred ships north after a trio of solid sprints over the Laurel sod this spring. Hopefully, Luis Saez can relax her in the pocket early and out finish this bunch late. #6 Heat Missile is a total wild card, but the fact she attracts Jose Ortiz in her first Stateside start is at least noteworthy.Race 9:Grade: A-Use: 6 AmberglenForecast: My best bet of the day comes in this 1 1/16-mile event over the Inner Turf where #6 Amberglen makes her first trip to Saratoga for trainer Brad Cox. The Stonestreet Stables filly won despite being caught wide throughout in a two-turn route race to kick off her career at Keeneland in the fall before competing in a stakes race over the all-weather at Gulfstream Park due to it getting washed off the grass. She lost little in defeat when Luster got the jump on her in her 3YO debut in Lexington in April and pranced home to an easy win on the front end at Churchill Downs last month. She has tactical speed and class and should work out a favorable trip in her New York debut.Race 10:Grade: C+Use: 5 Commandment/1 Chip HonchoForecast: The featured event drew a compact group of five to travel the 1 1/8-miles distance in the local prep for the Travers (G1) next month led by the second and third place finishers from the Belmont (G1). #5 Commandment was made the slight favorite over #3 Renegade after getting the best of him in the lane despite a less favorable voyage. Renegade might have been best in the Kentucky Derby (G1), but disappointed badly in the third jewel of the Triple Crown. He will win without me. Commandment has been one of the most consistent of this modest crop and beats these with a repeat of his last. The blinkers going on is not something I love before a big race, but it also could provide a higher ceiling. I am not lining up to bet him at his probable offering, but like his chances to earn his first win since the Florida Derby (G1). #1 Chip Honcho appears to be lone speed on paper, but everyone can see that. He has been a cut below the top tier of this group throughout the process and has done nothing to change that over the last couple of months. Perhaps he can steal this, but at a shorter price than I am willing to swallow.Race 11:Grade: C+Use: 6 King Puck; 9 Dakota Country/2 Joker On FireForecast: #9 Dakota Country was made the heavy 8-5-ML favorite by oddsmaker David Aragona in this state-bred first-level allowance over the grass. The son of Mucho Macho Man has been out west competing against open company runners over the last year. He comes into Saratoga first off the claim for Bob Hess Jr. after a pair of off-the-pace wins at Santa Anita Park. His form clearly fits, but he lacks early speed, has been running at slightly longer distances, and is expected to get bet heavily. He is hard to toss totally, but equally tough to push all-in on. #6 King Puck makes the most sense of the value options. The Three Diamonds Farm gelding makes his second start off the bench after stalking early and tiring late in a similar spot on the Fourth of July. This race shape should be more to his liking. #2 Joker On Fire also has a shot. He is just 1 for 12, but should get a nice ground saving voyage under veteran Jose Lezcano.Race 12:Grade: B-Use: 3 Amicable Farce; 6 Fancy n’ Flight; 4 Timeless MelodyForecast: I have no interest in backing either of the ML favorites in this MSW over the grass to close the card. #6 Fancy n’Flight intrigues though as the third choice. She is likely to take public support since she gets Irad in the saddle for the first time after encountering traffic issues in her lone turf start last October. I am not sure how much run she had when forced to steady, but she will not have to be much to graduate. I will use her, as well as the “other Chad Brown” #3 Amicable Farce and longshot #4 Timeless Melody for high-percentage conditioner Philip Antonacci. Any of the three with positive results in the prior few races should mean a chance for a decent horizontal payday.

The Grade 1 Clement Hirsch in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff division headlines the Saturday slate, an 11-race card that begins at 5 pm ET / 2 pm PT. But it’s a rather blue-collar undercard for a Saturday this early in the Del Mar summer stand with 2 claiming and 3 maiden claiming affairs scheduled.Be sure to play in the Bet $200, Get $20 promotion at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet on Saturday. Bet at least $100 on both the Del Mar and Saratoga cards to receive the bonus cash in your account.Del Mar: Race 1 | maiden special weightWith early speed expected from the inside pair of runners #3 Balaza could get a dynamite, pocket trip in this turf sprint under jockey Hector Berrios, who is riding lights-out on turf so far this Del Mar stand. Filly is experienced over the course and trip and adds Lasix in her first start of the year. Trainer Jeff Mullins’ turfers are firing. #2 Sacred Sound makes plenty of sense but may need to outbreak her rail rival to do her best work – can she pass anyone? #6 Maggles McGee runs fresh while cutting back in trip, a typically solid combo for turf sprints. Picks 3-6-2.Del Mar: Race 2 | claimingBottom-level claimers dash 5-1/2 furlongs and this distance has been a green light for west coast visitor #7 Pop Rox (7: 4-1-0). First local spin but note sire Munnings gets a strong 21% Dmr dirt winners in recent years coming into the meet. #5 Miz Clubcali tops the locals and was a winner here in the ’24 autumn meet, so proven over the track. Rallied to win a similar class/trip at Santa Anita this spring and needs it to cook early for her late run. Picks 7-5-3.Del Mar: Race 3 | maiden special weightIn Del Mar juvenile turf sprint maiden special weight races, experienced horses have a 17% win rate while rookies have won 9% over the last 5 summer meets. The experienced lean goes to #2 Ocean Club and #7 High Ambition. One ships from the UK, the other from Florida. Ocean Club’s fourth in Ireland in May has proven to be quite a race. The 1-3 finishers were Aidan O’Brien trainees who have come back to both place at the Group 3 level, while 1 of those has a Group 2 win to his credit since. Meanwhile, High Ambition was giving away experience last time to a wire-to-wire winner who had the benefit of a prior start; now he’s the advantaged one. Among the rookies, #6 Bliksem looks strongest for a potent jockey-trainer tandem. Despite bullet drills, didn’t like the gassed finish by #3 Brockster on video at 1st.tv. Picks 2-7-5.Del Mar: Race 4 | maiden claimingThe numbers show that outside posts have had tremendous success in these 5-furlong maiden claiming races at Del Mar over the years, so don’t mistake ground-saving as a premium. #10 Cross Fever debuts for a Vann Belvoir barn off to a sharp start at the meet, in possession of strong ROI with debut and debut maiden claiming runners and an even more-specific edge – Belvoir’s 9: 3-1-0 in this 2YO MCL 5F dash situation at Del Mar with $8, $16 and $19 winners (2-for-4 with such rookies with jockey Edgar Payeras aboard both). Wide-drawn #9 Red Raider also appeals in his debut for a plus ROI debut MCL barn in Craig Lewis, also off to a good start at the current meet. Lewis aims at these 2YO MCL 5F dashes at Del Mar, going 13: 2-2-2 ($24 and $66 winners…plus at 26-1 in the money!) and all 13 were first-time starters like this. #7 Keepsmesane is the one to beat among the experienced runners but hot-starting ’26 meet trainer Doug O’Neill’s charged failed as the even-money favorite last out. The barn is a wicked-good 9: 4-2-2 with experienced horses like this in Del Mar 2YO MCL 5F dashes. Expect #8 Romanticon to appreciate the Del Mar surface after a modest SA debut. Sire Bodexpress had 20% local winners coming into the meet. Lots to like on the stats end in a race with little to embrace on past performances. Picks 10-9-7-8.Del Mar: Race 5 | $150,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes#7 On the Whim won this same stakes 2 summers ago and could be on course for a return victory after a pair of runner-up finishes in his 2 Cal-bred stakes appearances so far this year. Mild lean in a wide-open affair where the rest of the field is 2-20 combined on the Del Mar lawn. #5 Old Pal returns from a layoff and should be moving best late, but there’s not a great deal of early pace to help his kick. #3 Prince Dolce continues to improve since moving to Steve Knapp and fits with these. Picks 7-5-3.Del Mar: Race 6 | claimingNot much to like about this non-winners of 2 lifetime claimer that sure doesn’t look like a Del Mar Saturday race. My top picks are both 1-for-19 lifetime, so consider yourself warned. #4 D Day Sky has the best win on paper, an Aqueduct maiden special weight back in 2024, and gets the nod. Eligible for the Ship & Win bonus money and seems to be well-placed by Peter Eurton. His sire Omaha Beach posted a strong 23% Dmr dirt winners coming into the meet, so he could like the track. #2 Audible Silence is by Dmr dirt super-sire Audible (31% winners, positive ROI coming into the meeting) and outran his 45-1 odds in a similar race opening weekend while turning back in distance. Could appreciate 2 turns with a great post and he has run a couple of solid efforts moving sprint-to-route in the past. #9 Noble Minded also should like the sprint-to-route maneuver, one he used in victory when breaking his maiden – but he starts from a disadvantageous post. Picks 4-2-9.Del Mar: Race 7 | maiden claimingAnother race with little trust factor to embrace on paper with elder maiden claimers going a turf mile. #10 Sensational Dream has shown some ability to sit with patience and this race looks like it could fall apart up front. Hector Berrios has been fantastic on turf at the meet and we get a 4-year-old taking on a slew of sophomores. Maybe that’s enough. #8 Icons Only is the other elder in the lineup and ran a pair of decent-enough turf miles against tougher here last summer to be in the discussion. One of those came with blinkers on, which re-emerge today for the first time since. #3 Zuraya is likely the filly to catch, while #1 Silkie Sevie gets a very positive post-position swap from her last start and drops in for a tag for the first time where she should be more effective. Get some coverage here. Picks 10-8-3-1.Del Mar: Race 8 | allowance/optional claiming#1 San Saba has been working fast for the return, but trainer Bob Baffert is 2-for-13 over the past decade-plus with Del Mar returnees who have been away more than 1 year like this. I’ll take my chances at what likely will be an underlay price and try to get him out of the ticket. #7 See Through It is a 16-time winner and old war horse entered for the $50,000 claiming tag in this optional condition. He won an even tougher condition here last summer and comes in off back-to-back wins. Trainer Genaro Vallejo, his winning trainer here last summer, dipped back in to reclaim him on July 5, a positive sign. #8 Decisive Win and #2 Duke Silver are very talented 3-year-olds whose running lines against the star Crude Velocity give them a lot of respect. Neither would be a surprise, but take on elder winners for the first time. Consider both in conjunction with the warhorse See Through It in exotics and multi-race bets. Picks 7-8-2.Del Mar: Race 9 | allowance/optional claimingLoved the work on video at 1st.tv for #1 Wiki Kane, who appears to be sitting on tilt for his first start of 2026. Proven over the course and distance and won from the rail with ease in his debut. Not messing around as they go to top pilot Juan Hernandez and Lasix added for first time. One of my keys to the card. Will feather underneath Wiki Kane with the likes of #10 Miles Finch, who may finish stronger on the cut-back in trip in a race with plenty of early speed; also-eligible consideration #12 Jetovator, who won a similar race here in the Fall for a Peter Eurton barn that excels with Del Mar turf sprint allowance spots; and #8 Grey’s Boy, who benefits if he can show some patience off the April layoff and not be too fresh. Picks 1-10-12-8.Del Mar: Race 10 | Grade 1 $400,000 Clement Hirsch StakesThe Santa Margarita Stakes was a disaster for #8 Seismic Beauty as the 3-5 favorite. She over-did it early in what looked like a match race in a miniscule field size and was left with her tongue dragging. But the works for this indicate a bounce-back result could in store for the defending champ in this race. Juan Hernandez won 30% on dirt the first 2 weeks of the meet and is on point #6 Simply Joking was the pace pest against Seismic Beauty last time and helped set the table for #3 Om N Joy. A fuller field size here should change the race dynamics to a more traditional pace and that could help both Simply Joking and Seismic Beauty run better. #1 Chasten comes west for Brad Cox and should save ground here after several outings having to overcome ground loss. Ton of respect for #5 Majestic Oops over her career, but she was terrible in the BC Distaff locally and hasn’t impressed in 2 works I watched on video at 1st.tv over the Del Mar track for this – perhaps she just doesn’t get over the ground as well? Picks 8-1-6.Del Mar: Race 11 | maiden claimingA big field of MCL turf routers wrap the action and #11 Born to Rock has to overcome a tough post from the infield chute to start but is the horse to beat. His Del Mar miles last year match up well here and the drop to the claiming ranks for the first time should be enough to get him over the top. Trainer Michael McCarthy’s runners are 7-15 in the exacta in MCL turf routes at Del Mar the last 5 summers. Umberto Rispoli is riding in his best form. I’ll key that one on top of several options, including #10 Timayyy, #2 Lorenzo Bernini, #1 Fausto, #6 Heavenly Match and also-eligible #13 Mighty Toro if he draws in. It’s a classic single-or-spread situation and I nearly always lean to the single option in that dilemma. Picks. 11-10-2-13-1-6