EXTRA INCENTIVES10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Summer Sweep 5 (Gulfstream/Woodbine)SCHEDULE NOTESEllis Park | closing day of meetSPECIAL WAGERSSummer Sweep Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 6-7-8, Woodbine Races 6-7--$1 minimum, 15% takeout, no CAWTOURNAMENT TIME$100 Saratoga Feeder | details$80 Del Mar Feeder | details$40 Canterbury Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSSuper Hi 5 | Ellis Park | $7,820 | Race 1 | 12:50 pm ETPick 6 | Colonial Downs | $8,140 | Race 3 | 1:28 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | Ellis Park | $57,317 | begins Race 4 | 2:16 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | Gulfstream Park | $10,507 | Race 9 | 4:43 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | Prairie Meadows | $67,512 | begins Race 7 | 7:33 pm ETPick 6 | Los Alamitos | $9,987 | begins Race 4 | 11:04 pm ETKEY RACESMonmouth | Race 3 | 1:52 pm ET | NJ Breeders HandicapMonmouth | Race 5 | 2:48 pm ET | Charles Hesse HandicapEllis Park | Race 8 | 4:12 pm ET | Ellis Park Turf StakesMonmouth | Race 8 | 4:22 pm ET | Elven North HandicapSaratoga | Race 9 | 5:55 pm ET | Albany StakesDel Mar | Race 7 | 8:18 pm ET | Del Mar DerbyLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXEllis Park | Race 7 | 3:42 pm ETSaratoga | Race 10 | 6:30 pm ETDel Mar | Race 9 | 9:24 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHPeter Miller | Del Mar| 4 of 6 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Colonial Downs | favorites won 7 of 11 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Spot PlaysJeremy Plonk: Del Mar Spot PlaysJeremy Plonk: Race of the Week - Del Mar DerbyBrian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The racing week at Saratoga concludes later this afternoon with a ten-race card that gets rolling at 1:10 PM eastern. The card is led by the $200k Albany Stakes for NY-bred 3YOs at 1 1/8-miles over the main track. Here are the horses I like most over the course of the day.Race 2:My first play comes in this MSW event for 2YOs traveling 1 1/16-miles over the Inner Turf where trainer Mark Casse holds a strong 1-2-punch with 8-5-ML favorite #2 And the Runner Is and 5-2-second choice #1 Harbaugh. Both ran second in their first two-turn turf test last month. Of the duo, I prefer Harbaugh. The Not This Time colt loved the move to the grass on July 26 after debuting in a dirt sprint just 15 days earlier. He ran well that day to finish second, but was a bit too close in a race where the eventual winner was able to come from behind and out finish this D J Stable colt. I do not expect the $450k OBS April 26 purchase to get caught in the lane later this afternoon.Play: #1 Harbaugh (5-2 ML)Picks: 1-3-2Race 3:Up next is this first-level allowance at six-furlongs over the main track where there almost has to be a contentious pace in the early stages since most runners in this spot want to be forwardly placed. I am expecting Flavien Prat to take advantage with the lightly-raced #7 Tennessee Belle. The daughter of Yaupon has not raced since a 2YO when she made three starts under the care of trainer John Ortiz, including a dominant win over this surface in her second start after a runner-up finish to Tommy Jo to kick off her career. Her best races have been on the front end, but the outside draw and the presence of Prat lead to me believe she will do her best to play the break and probably end up finding a favorable tracking position from her outside draw. She has to prove herself again off the layoff, but should improve under the care of Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher. Tennessee Belle comes in off a steady series of local drills since returning to the work tab in early July. Hopefully, she is ready to fire big off the bench.Play: #7 Tennessee Belle (2-1 ML)Picks: 7-3-1Race 9: AlbanyWithers winner #6 Talk to Me Jimmy was made the understandable 8-5-ML favorite by oddsmaker David Aragona after his win last out in the New York Derby at Finger Lakes. The son of Modernist is likely to make the lead under jockey Manny Franco, but whether he finishes the deal is the question. I will hope he gets leg-weary late in his first start over the Saratoga main track and it is undefeated #4 Onebigbeautifulbill that handles his first two-turn test and runs him down late. The son of Tiz the Law has had a great start to his career at the Spa rattling off two wins in one-turn races for trainer Brad Cox. Last time out, he took advantage of a perfect pocket trip to run down #1 Tricky Business in the final strides, but I expect him to get another good trip and relish the stretch out to nine-furlongs.Play: #4 Onebigbeautifulbill (3-1 ML)Picks: 4-6-7

Del Mar Derby Day wraps Week 6 of the summer stand and I’ve got a quartet of spot plays around the main event with a heavy emphasis early in the card. Worth a look at the early pick 5 the way things align.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 1 | 5:00 pm ET#7 Mischievous Bev (7-2 morning line odds) has the co-best maiden win on paper in this non-winners of 2 lifetime claimer. Love that Emisael Jaramillo sticks to ride after the layoff and class drop even with his top barn Doug O’Neill with another option in here. Disregard poor debut effort here with tons of excuses and note sire Audible offspring are blind bets locally with 31% Dmr dirt winners in recent years. Win bet #7. Daily Double 7-8 bigger, 3-8 smaller. Pick Three 7-8-3 to maximize a potential sweep of our first 3 spot plays. Pick 7-3-8Del Mar: Race 2 | 5:33 pm ET#8 Perfect Life (8-1 morning line odds) gets to make the last run here after simply running out of real estate at 5-1/2 furlongs last time. Extra 110 yards helps the cause along with a field that contains some cheap speed to set the table. Note this group is 2-for-26 at Del Mar on dirt outside of the pick, who is 3: 1-0-1 and that last off-the-board effort was not bad at all for the distance. Win-place bet #8. Daily Double 8-3. Picks 8-7-1Del Mar: Race 3 | 6:07 pm ET#3 Mighty Kai (4-1 morning line odds) doesn’t care who leads him over, he just keeps firing despite 6 claims in his last 8 starts. He’s had 11 straight finishes in the superfecta, makes a natural class rise off a win at the distance at the meet and can repeat for a Antonio Garcia barn having its best Del Mar summer. Win bet #3. Picks 3-2-6Del Mar: Race 7 | 8:18 pm ET | Grade 2 Del Mar DerbySee my Xpressbet Race of the Week full analysis.Del Mar: Race 9 | 9:24 pm ET#4 Wild West Coast (5-1 morning line odds) had seriously compromised chance from far back last time when they waltzed a second quarter in 24-1/5 for a turf mile. Just missed by a head to Fibonacci’s Ride, who came back to win the Solana Beach Stakes out of that race. Pace here looks far more favorable for her late kick and she gets 5 pounds vs. elders. Win bet #4. Picks 4-1-10

Northfield Park begins the week with a 16-race card. The Spot Plays are in Race 6, Race 7, and Race 11. They can be played to win or in gimmicks, and should be solid prices. The $1 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 11, and it has a $10,000 guaranteed pool. The feature is also in race 11, an Open Handicap Trot with a $20,500 purse.Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 6 (7:50 PM EDT)7-Dancin Suzy (9/2)-Could get a square price with this Dan Noble guided 4-year-old mare. Seemed to wake up last time after a string of dull efforts. My take is as soon as the wings fold this gal will be sent to the top. Could get the jump on #3, the even money choice who is a 3-year-old. Should be difficult to tackle if things go well around the opening turn.7-3-1Race 7 (8:12 PM EDT)4-Dandy's MNM (7-1)-Hoosier shipper makes its 3rd start in Ohio and 2nd at Nfld. Should be better acclimated and gets a ++ driver change in Aaron Merriman. Can offer a big price, needs a trip, and will rely on Merriman to execute a winning plan.4-3-9Race 11 (9:40 PM EDT)6-Abbey D (7/2)-Moves in one slot after missing a start and then was hung the mile leaving from post 7. Comes back in sequence, Noble sticks and should get a smoother trip. Has won 3 of 8 at Nfld and knows how to beat this kind.6-4-1Check me out on X!

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet & Get – Up to $50 | Del Mar | today’s races10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Summer Sweep 5 (Gulfstream/ Woodbine)1 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Red Shores Charlottetown | Late Pick 4SPECIAL WAGERSSummer Sweep Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 7-9-10, Woodbine Races 8-9--$1 minimum, 15% takeout, no CAWTOURNAMENT TIME$4,000 Del Mar Pacific Classic Betting Challenge | details$125 Fun in the Sun (Saratoga/Del Mar) | details$100 Saratoga Feeder | details$80 Del Mar Feeder | details$40 Canterbury Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | Prairie Meadows | $61,696 | begins Race 7 | 8:33 pm ETKEY RACESHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 8 | 3:53 pm ET | Ellen’s Lucky Star HandicapGulfstream | Race 7 | 3:55 pm ET | Miss Gracie StakesMonmouth | Race 7 | 3:55 pm ET | Violet StakesWoodbine | Race 7 | 4:08 pm ET | Seaway StakesHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 9 | 4:27 pm ET | Snack HandicapSaratoga | Race 10 | 6:07 pm ET | Ballston Spa StakesSaratoga | Race 11 | 6:42 pm ET | Alabama StakesDel Mar | Race 5 | 7:10 pm ET | Green Flash HandicapDel Mar | Race 9 | 9:10 pm ET | Del Mar OaksRed Shores (Charlottetown) | Race 15 | 9:30 pm ET | Cup & Saucer | Cimaglia video picksDel Mar | Race 10 | 9:43 pm ET | Pacific ClassicDel Mar | Race 11 | 10:18 pm ET | Del Mar MileCentury Mile | Race 11 | 10:30 pm ET | Canadian DerbyLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXSaratoga | Race 5 | 3:06 pm ETEllis Park | Race 9 | 4:42 pm ETDel Mar | Race 2 | 5:32 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHChad Brown | Monmouth | 4 of 5 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Saratoga | jockey Jose Ortiz | 3 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds from 9 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Full-Card Saturday PicksJeremy Plonk: Del Mar Full-Card Saturday PicksMatt Bernier: Pacific Classic at Del Mar Fair Odds / AnalysisFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The G1 Pacific Classic takes center stage at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on Saturday, as 11 runners are scheduled to tackle the 10-furlong test that will reward the winner with a starting spot in the 2026 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland in October. Below you’ll find my fair win odds for each of the runners, as well as my thoughts on the contenders I find most appealing.1 – Om N Joy | 3% / 32-12 – Forged Steel | 7% / 13-13 – Finger | 9% / 10-14 – Subsanador | 3% / 32-15 – Malarchuk | 3% / 32-16 – Original Sin | 5% / 19-17 – Hit Show | 17% / 5-18 – British Isles | 2% / 49-19 – Navajo Warrior | 17% / 5-110 – Full Serrano | 6% / 15-111 – Knightsbridge | 28% / 5-2NAVAJO WARRIOR (9) has done little wrong since moving to the Saffie Joseph, Jr. barn, winning six races at six different tracks since last August, including a couple of graded stakes races most recently. A son of Candy Ride, Navajo Warrior has won both the Pimlico Special (pictured) and Cornhusker Handicap in front-running fashion, but given the pace scenario in Saturday’s Pacific Classic, that doesn’t seem like a likely scenario this time around. The good news? This five-year-old gelding has proven himself to be effective from off the pace, as well. He’s on an upward trajectory on the Beyer scale and he’s remarkably consistent as far as Thorograph is concerned (steady diet of 1.5s). The distance wouldn’t seem to be an issue, and, assuming there’s regression for Knightsbridge, a repeat of his recent performances may be enough to result in grade one glory.KNIGHTSBRIDGE (11) is the most interesting horse in this year’s Pacific Classic in terms of the bigger picture. His two-turn debut in the Monmouth Cup last month was phenomenal, earning a 122 Beyer Speed Figure and a -6 on Thorograph, both numbers that would win this race by open-lengths. At a short price, though, that’s far from a given. Not only does the son of Nyquist need to prove that he’s capable of producing those numbers right back, but he needs to do it at a new track, against better company, AND at a distance he’s never tried. If you could guarantee that he’d go off at his morning line odds of 5-2? Curiosity would kill this cat and I’d bite. I just don’t see any scenario where this horse is anything greater than 8-5, in which case representing an underlay.If you’re playing for a pace burn up, HIT SHOW (7) is the horse for you. Despite being a Dubai World Cup winner, the son of Candy Ride has never shown himself to be a true grade one type – but, aside from Knightsbridge, this field looks closer to a grade two than a grade one. The distance is of no concern for the Brad Cox trainee, and he’s shown on multiple occasions that he can produce winning efforts at different racetracks (his 12 victories have come at six different venues).The wildcard in this year’s Pacific Classic is clearly FINGER (3), the three-year-old shipping in from Japan. Never out of the exacta in eight career starts, the son of Gun Runner most recently was a front-running winner of the Tokyo Derby in June. By all accounts the form of the Tokyo Derby has held up relatively well, but this is a tall task. Not only shipping to Southern California from Japan but taking on older horses in his graded stakes debut is no small feat. While his intrigue is obvious, I’m skeptical that the Japanese narrative is going to result in him going off at an underlaid price. With the success that Japanese runners have had internationally over the past five years, it would be no surprise to see this runner go off as one of the favorites in the wagering. He’s a fascinating watch, not a fascinating bet, in this year’s Pacific Classic.MY PLAY: 9 – Navajo Warrior to WIN at odds of 5-1 or greater

Four stakes, including the $1 million Pacific Classic, stuff an 11-race card on Del Mar’s biggest day of summer. With Journalism and Nysos retired, and Baeza since-departed for a New York change of address, the west coast handicap scene is wide, wide open. Raiders come from as far as Louisville, Saratoga and Tokyo.Horseplayers at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet can earn tiered cash rewards based on the amount bet on the Del Mar Saturday card. Bet $100-$249, earn $10 back; $250-$499 gets $25 back; $500+ gets $50 back. Be sure to opt into the promotion.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.Del Mar Race 1 | maiden claimingPerhaps the race on the card that I have the least feel for, I’ll take a longshot fling amongst that uncertainty. #2 Pyrokinetic was never asked and perked up a bit late with a surprisingly solid 89 BRIS late pace figure when having no shot behind a slow pace. Neil Drysdale’s second-time starters have won 3 of their last 8 bids, including $15 and $34 winners among those. #1 Bogarts Bucchero could wire from inside on the stretchout, but likely faces pressure from #9 Mighty Toro as both take a key class drop. Likely 4-deep if playing the early pick 5. Picks 2-1-9-3Del Mar Race 2 | claimingObviously better races to come, but this isn’t one of them. No play for me unless including in multi-race bets. #4 Sugaree takes another class drop and gets second-time Lasix. Can sit behind the speed, which looks plentiful enough here and capable of folding back to the pack. #2 Church Lady is questionable in a dirt sprint but has the co-best maiden win in this race along with #10 Rich of Joy. Not sure he’ll be effective on dirt and the rider is 0-for-the-year. #9 Shady Stripes takes them as far as she can but will she hold form changing barns? Picks 4-2-10-9Del Mar Race 3 | allowance / optional claimingStrong pace projected in this turf route with a capacity field, meaning nobody should get a free lunch up front. #10 Ventry Strand is the best finisher in turf routes among these and should be well-matched with finishing jockey Joel Rosario. #2 Oracle of Paradise returns off a May break for a Brian Koriner barn going very well of late, but loses his pilot to our top pick. Most confident early-day lean in this race. Picks 10-2-3.Del Mar Race 4 | maiden special weightAmongst the multi-million dollar group of 2-year-olds debuting around 2 turns, I’m giving a push to the third-start-of-the-meet maiden claimer #2 Boss Man Bolt. Over the last decade, we’ve had 24 such 2YO dirt routes at Del Mar during its summer meets and first-timers are 20: 0-2-3 in them, including Baffert going 0-7. He’ll send out #3 Babe’s Empire and #5 Motga, the latter a much smoother morning mover on video and stronger of the pair to this eye. #7 Psalm debuts for Michael McCarthy and is full-brother to 9F Remsen 2YO winner Maximus Mischief. He’s a leggy sort who breaks fine but takes a while to get wound up in his works on video. The route should suit him and he’s the rookie lean. But the value is with #2 Boss Man Bolt with good experience over the track and note the Ruis family has run 2 horses in 2YO maiden dirt routes the past decade, winning both at $42 and $103 boxcar mutuels. Both were offspring of Bolt d’Oro. Let’s see if we can’t get another big bingo from Ruis. Picks 2-7-5-6Del Mar Race 5 | $200K Green Flash HandicapA July 19 allowance prep rematches the 1-2-3 finishers, including runner-up #6 Motorious, who has won the Green Flash 3 years running. He’s now age 8 and admittedly I was unimpressed by his workout after the allowance prep, clearly outworked that morning. But respect his love of this course and Antonio Fresu has been the best turf sprint rider at the meet (25: 7-4-5 coming into the week). That race’s rallying third-place finisher #9 Sorrento Sky was visually impressively late at even weights last time and not gets 3-4 pounds from his rivals. Not a huge deal, but everything helps in turf sprints when razor-thin margins are the norm. #5 Sumter won the scrum in that allowance, with Lasix, to improve Richard Mandella to 4: 3-0-1 in turf sprints at the meet. Think our best price comes with Sorrento Sky and really liked what I saw last out in the lane when you consider how fast #1 Monster is coming from the east and how he can gas those in his early pursuit. Picks 9-6-5Del Mar Race 6 | maiden special weightWhile we’re working against the Baffert babies in the Race 4 route today, his sprint filly #6 Furiosity looks like the dash goods in her debut. She wants to cook early based on her workout videos and may be better-suited for the 5-1/2 furlongs under go-to pilot Juan Hernandez than stablemate #9 Sea’s No Joke, who was very impressive drawing off from a workmake in her tuneup on video. Doug O’Neill has a pair entered who have been working together and #7 Confetti Rain easily outworked #3 Miss Midterm in the drill I saw on tape. Picks 6-9-7Del Mar Race 7 | allowance / optional claimingA dozen turf milers open the late pick 5 and this looks like go-time for #5 American Hope. Trainer Brian Koriner’s barn has been on point in recent weeks and he drops in class and makes a significant rider move from Ayuso to Rosario. Horse has been plagued by wide draws and lands a better gate to save ground early and kick late. Will key him strongly in the intra-race exotics. #7 Captain Choochies is a pure turf miler and also should appreciate the class drop like the top pick, but this one has the early speed. Expect him up top with #2 Charlie’s to Blame. Picks 5 over 7-2-1Del Mar Race 8 | allowance / optional claimingDay’s best bet #8 Clouseau is a fresh face who has posted 97 BRIS late pace figures twice in 2-turn dirt races and gets a delicious set-up. The top 3 from a July 18 allowance are all back, but hard to trust a race where 30-1 and 22-1 shots dueled and nobody picked up enough hoof to close despite a 25-3/5 slow final quarter. Toss all of those and go for the newcomers. #9 Santarena hasn’t route in over a year but was second to Flightline’s kid bro Eagles Flight when last trying it. Picks 8-9-5-7Del Mar Race 9 | $300K Del Mar OaksThe San Clemente has been such a trustworthy prep for the Del Mar Oaks over the years that you’ll want to start your handicapping there. Five of the last 6 Oaks winners prepped earlier at the Del Mar meet and note 9 of the last 11 exited stakes preps. I loved #7 Peanutbutterbombe in the San Clemente and she hopped at the start, then bucked like a bronco and pulled very hard as a sweaty mess. Everything went to pieces before the first 100 yards. None of that’s mentioned in the past performances. Somehow she still ran fourth beaten 3-1/4 lengths. The offspring of Collected are simply awesome over this course and nearly trusted blind bets. The shipper of most intrigue is #9 Kensington Lane, an Irish filly who won the Belmont Oaks at 23-1 for Donnacha O’Brien and switches barns to Phil D’Amato. Her sire Starspangledbanner has had solid success with his Del Mar turf offspring. #4 Green Carerra was a Royal Ascot winner in the Sandringham and brings plenty of class for Joseph O’Brien. But I’m all-in for Peanutbutterbombe. Picks 7 with 9-4-6-10Del Mar Race 10 | $1 million Pacific ClassicThere’s a scenario where #11 Knightsbridge dominates as we’ve seen him run up the score against lower-graded going shorter on the east coast. Another scenario exists where a 1-1/4 miles race with so much confirmed early speed completely melts down and catapults late-running #7 Hit Show up over the $10 million mark in lifetime earnings. Neither will surprise. I’m going trust my eyes in that #2 Forged Steel completely won me over in his Aug. 16 workout at Saratoga. Saffie Joseph trainees have rarely caught my eye training, so it’s not like they all work this way. He pulled hard early, relaxed beautifully for the rider, wasn’t asked, changed leads right on cue and finished sharply in 47-3/5 while on cruise control. He was very rank into the clubhouse turn of the Suburban last out, but his last California foray for the Gold Cup at Santa Anita was a career-best. He’s tipping his hand and having Florida pilot Edwin Gonzalez aboard should help our price a bit. As for Japan raider #3 Finger, he was washed out and a hot mess when seen on the track on video. He didn’t come home fast in the Tokyo Derby despite a slow pace and he could get gassed chasing serious US speed. Doesn’t show same turn of foot we’ve seen from some others to raid from Japan, but is a wildcard. Trainer’s only US start was second in 2024 BC Turf at 22-1 (Rousham Park). Picks 2-11-7Del Mar Race 11 | $300K Del Mar MileHorses cutting back in distance with stakes experience at the meet have been the right fit in the Del Mar Mile over the past decade-plus. The group of Eddie Read alumni in this race fit the playbill after coming up short against all-time Del Mar turfer Gold Phoenix. #1 Cabo Spirit leads that cast after a nose runner-up and benefits from the rail Saturday. He’ll be forward throughout in a race without an overwhelming tempo on paper. #7 Almendares is much better at a mile than the Eddie Read extra real estate and can bounce back some. Sharp miler #9 King of Gosford has some pace versatility and would be no surprise. #12 El Potente puts Hector Berrios is a difficult spot from the widest draw but has run first or second in 9 of his last 12 and can’t be dismissed. Good race with options – get some coverage in multi-race bets. Brazilian import #6 Sinsel is X-factor for Mandella, but did not impress at all in lone video work I saw. Picks 1-7-9-12

Another Saturday of thoroughbred racing at beautiful Saratoga Race Course is upon us with this time the Alabama (G1) the headliner. The stakes event for 3YO fillies is led by odds-on favorite Counting Stars. The Mark Casse trainee heads into her first ten-furlong test with a chance of winning her third consecutive Grade 1 over the historic upstate New York racetrack. Here are my thoughts on all 12 races.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: XUse: 6 Modest MacleanForecast: The opener is a state-bred MSW event out of the Wilson chute where I have no desire trying to beat 8-5-ML favorite #6 Modest Maclean. The Linda Rice trainee was well-meant on debut earlier this month going off the even-money favorite in a seven-furlong race over this surface. Rice brings him back three weeks later after being run down in the final strides by his stablemate. Jose Ortiz is back aboard one of the likelier winners on the slate.Race 2:Grade: C+Use: 7 Arkhipov; 4 Asbury ParkForecast: Trainer Chad Brown appears to hold an extremely strong hand in this second-level allowance event over the Inner Turf. Brown enters ML favorite #4 Asbury Park and 3-1-second choice #7 Arkhipov. Asbury Park has not raced since a disappointing performance on Kentucky Derby in the Turf Classic (G1). He gets class relief here, but I prefer Arkhipov. The Munnings gelding was beaten to the jump by stablemate Right to Vote, but finished with solid energy to earn second in a similar spot last month. Flavien Prat sticks around to ride a 4YO that could be tough to hold off late.Race 3:Grade: C+Use: 3 Got Tough; 1 PowerlineForecast: There are certainly some well-bred first-time starters entered in this MSW event at 6.5-furlongs, but I will roll with the two colts with experience in #1 Powerline and #3 Got Tough. Powerline was bet down to 8-5 for his debut over this surface last month and lost little in defeat finishing second to a good looking first out winner for the Brad Cox barn. He is the clear one to beat, but the slow break and his rail draw make another short price tough to swallow. Got Tough was easily handled by Powerline in that July 18 race over this surface, but should move forward quite a bit with the addition of blinkers after losing some interest out there during the middle stages before re-rallying to finish third. Ideally, he will be sent aggressively out of the gates by new rider Ricardo Santana Jr.Race 4:Grade: C+Use: 1 AmericanexpressionForecast: #1 Americanexpression is not likely to offer a lot of value taking on winners for the first time in this $40k non-winners of two event sprinting over the grass, but looks like the clear one to beat. The Lindy Farms filly ran third on debut over the Gulfstream Park all-weather before dropping in for $55k last out and winning despite being caught three-wide much of the way. She moves to the inside, which could present a challenge with a slow break, but showed more gate speed than a quick look on paper appears in her first start. Trainer Phil Antonacci uses the voided claim last month feels to find a soft spot for his trainee who retains the services of Ricardo Santana Jr.Race 5:Grade: B-Use: 3 Madeline’s AgendaForecast: There does not appear to be an abundance of early speed signed on in this $55k maiden claimer at 1 1/16-miles over the Inner Turf, so I will hope class dropper #3 Madeline’s Agenda uses her inside draw and early speed to take advantage. The daughter of Known Agenda did not have things go well in her first start versus protected maidens during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival and did not finish much better in her second start, but I liked the fact she flashed a lot more speed from the gate. Now, she gets a rider upgrade to Manny Franco and a decrease in competition. With a good break, Manny should be able to find a prominent position early against a field that could be caught in a tough spot late if the tempo is moderate. 6-1 seems fair.Race 6:Grade: B-Use: 11 Very Clever; 4 Key Colony Beach; 9 Above All OddsForecast: This MSW event for 2YO fillies at 6.5-furlongs looks like it could be a live one. Of those that have raced I prefer #4 Key Colony Beach. The $650k daughter of Omaha Beach gets blinkers after running a solid second to the well-bred Effusive over the sloppy going on July 18. A move forward could make her tough for a first-time starter to beat, but there do appear to be some with massive upside. Of them, #11 Very Clever is the one I like most on debut. The far outside draw can be tricky for a firster, but this gal is a half-sister to the extremely talented sprinter Matareya. She ships in from Churchill Downs and looks ready to roll for trainer Brad Cox. If she is 9-2 or higher, I can see diving in on the Win end.Race 7:Grade: B-Use: 8 SacrosanctForecast: I lack creativity in this $130k allowance at six-furlongs over the main track where 5-2-ML favorite #8 Sacrosanct looks like the right horse. The son of Honest Mischief makes his third start of the form cycle after a third-place effort to the talented Senior Officer on July 26. He gets a softer group for the level and should benefit from the slight half-furlong cutback. The NY-bred has won 6 of 11 career races and should get a great trip from his outside draw.Race 8:Grade: C+Use: 5 Vernon Valley; 9 Maria Callas; 3 ArinataForecast: I will take a swing in this state-bred first-level allowance event at 5.5-furlongs over the grass with #5 Vernon Valley. The daughter of Vekoma makes her second start off the ten-month layoff after making a three-wide middle move in a race many of her rivals exit on July 25 before tiring in the lane. I can forgive Vernon Valley getting tired that day not only because she was coming off a long break for a new barn, but also because they went at it upfront causing the race to fall apart late. Ideally, she would have hung around better despite the premature move, but that would have hurt her price on Saturday. Hopefully, she can win, but things should work out okay if we can get her into the number in a wide-open start to the late Pick 5.Race 9:Grade: B-Use: 3 Cocktailsnkringle; 9 Playa Del Mar; 10 C McGriffForecast: Regally-bred #5 Stimulate is likely to take plenty of support in his first start against winners for Bill Mott, but I do not trust the Tapit colt out of star mare Elate. The Wilson chute has not been overly kind to horses that start slow and he did not beat all that much in his win over the slop last month.I like a pair of long shots to potentially get in the mix, including top pick #3 Cocktailsnkringle. Owner/trainer Steven Schauer won two races on Wednesday and has a shot with this son of Preservationist who makes his first start since a head victory against starter foes at Aqueduct. He should be forward after running second over this unique configuration in June. #10 C McGriff is also in with a chance. The outside draw is not ideal, but he cuts back from a true two-turn race at Churchill Downs in mid-June. Robby Medina lost a tough one last week and is a better conditioner than some of his numbers might suggest.Race 10: Ballston Spa (G2)Grade: B-Use: 4 Play With Fire/6 Segesta; 5 And One More TimeForecast: Trainer Chad Brown has won this 1 1/16-mile race over the Inner Turf for fillies and mares a record eight times. Brown sends out three this year, including 7-5-ML favorite #6 Segesta. The Juddmonte homebred is the class of the field exiting five consecutive Grade 1 events, but is far from unbeatable. I will try to out finish her with stablemate #4 Play With Fire. The daughter of Oscar Performance is not as accomplished as some of her main rivals, but makes her second start off the layoff after a neck defeat on July 9. I will be happy to build my wagers around her if she is anything close to the listed 15-1-ML offering.Race 11: Alabama (G1)Grade: XUse: 6 Counting StarsForecast: #6 Counting Stars went into the Kentucky Oaks (G1) as one of several that were in the mix for the top of this year’s 3YO filly crop, but she heads into the Alabama (G1) with a chance to put herself well above the class. She ran a good third in the Oaks before huge runs in the Acorn (G1) and Coaching Club American Oaks (G1). Regression is always a possibility for a young filly after big races like she has run, but certainly shows no reason on paper she will not handle this compact group of six. She is not only the classiest and fastest horse, but is likely to have a pace advantage. I have no desire in trying to beat the daughter of Honor A.P.Race 12:Grade: B-Use: 3 Home Wrecker; 1 Stand the Rain/6 Mary Lois; 4 Fango CreekForecast: The logicals make sense to be there in this 1 3/16-mile MSW event for the ladies to close the card, but I like a price most. #3 Home Wrecker took a tough beat missing by a length when arguably best during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. In her next start on the Fourth of July, she never got comfortable under jockey Joel Rosario. Trainer Danny Gargan stretches her out past 8.5-furlongs for the first time and puts Kendrick Carmouche back in the saddle. I expect this to lead to a voyage either on the lead or sitting just off the pace of #2 Prime Connection. Either way, she should run well if able to handle the added ground.