For the second consecutive Sunday, horseplayers were unable to piece together the final six winners on the card, leaving Saratoga with a strong $154,119 carryover to start the racing week in their traditional $1 Pick Six Pool. This along with another Wednesday afternoon 1 million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split make it a great time to be alive to play at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. The Pick Six sequence kicks off in Race 3 at 2:20 local time and includes the featured New York Stallion Statue of Liberty at one-mile over the Inner Turf. Here are a few horses I like most within the Wednesday Pick Six.Race 3:The pace should be contentious in this seven-furlong affair over the main track, which is likely to benefit #7 Hot Gossip. The 3YO filly makes her second start of the meet after a third-place finish in a similar condition out of the Wilson chute on July 19. Not only do I expect things to set up a bit better for the Linda Rice trainee on the turnback to a true one-turn race, but it has not been easy making up a ton of ground late in the races over the one-mile dirt configuration at the Spa this summer. The Linda Rice barn has been smoking hot and hopefully continues to kick the sequence off with Manny Franco back in the saddle.Play: #7 Hot Gossip (4-1 ML)Picks: 7-1-8Race 4:Up next is an optional claimer at six-furlongs over the main track where I presume a significant number of horseplayers will take a stand with 8-5-ML favorite #7 Gardiner. The Joe Sharp colt won his last race at Churchill Downs on June 21 and had his claim voided after the race for the second time in his 13-race career. The fact Sharp shipped him to New York and protects him is a positive, but I struggle to want to push all-in on a horse with soundness issues that is likely to be tested on the front end. Therefore, I will take a swing with #8 Runaway Joke. The son of Practical Joke makes his second start off the long layoff after a stalk and fade against NY-bred allowance foes last month. He shook off the rust last out and draws favorably outside the main speeds. Hopefully, he springs the upset and gives trainer Chad Summers his first win of the stand.Play: #8 Runaway Joke (8-1 ML)Picks: 8-7-9Race 7: NYSS Statue of Liberty DivisionThis state-bred event for 3YO fillies run at one-mile over the Inner Turf probably goes through 2-1-ML favorite #7 She’s a Country. The daughter of Combatant makes her first start since last November, but does so for a George Weaver barn capable of having ready to roll off the layoff, especially she already won fresh in her first start over this course last year. I will not be surprised if she wins, but #5 Celtic Dawn is likely to be a better price. It is possible the Carlos Martin trainee is a sprinter, but I am willing to give her one more chance going long after chasing the pace last time instead of using her strong gate speed to control the early tempo. Javier Castellano did not ride last time, but was onboard her first three wins and is back onboard again. If she has things her way on the front end, I think she can get the eight panels.Play: #5 Celtic Dawn (3-1 ML)Picks: 5-2-7

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Thistledown | today’s racesSCHEDULE NOTESLouisiana Downs | cancelled due to heat--note Louisiana Downs already has cancelled for WedNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | Thistledown | $188,946 | begins Race | pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | Assiniboia Downs | $80,063 (CAN) | begins Race 3 | 8:25 pm ETKEY RACESParx | Race 6 | 2:55 pm ET | PTHA President’s Sprint StakesParx | Race 7 | 3:22 pm ET | State Representative’s Sprint StakesParx | Race 9 | 4:16 pm ET | Mayor’s Mile StakesParx | Race 10 | 4:43 pm ET | Cathryn Sophia StakesParx | Race 11 | 5:11 pm ET | Smarty Jones StakesAssiniboia Downs | Race 4 | 9:50 pm ET | Graduation StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 4 | 3:43 pm ETPenn National | Race 2 | 6:14 pm ETMountaineer | Race 1 | 7:00 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHAnthony Ferraro | Finger Lakes | 9 of 9 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Parx | Race 6 | nation’s highest-paying exacta ($325), trifecta ($1974) and superfecta ($13,906)PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Thistledown Bet $100, Get $10 Plays for TuesdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Throughout August, Tuesdays and Thursdays stay hot at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet with our Midsummer Money promotion. Bet $100, Get $10 on select tracks this month. Next up Tuesday will be Thistledown. Here’s how I’ll approach the card in Ohio with an assist from the Betmix Angler database.Thistledown Race 2 | 1:20 pm ET#1 Vodkatini (8-1 morning line odds) makes what might look like a lateral trainer change from equal 21% winning barns, but note the new James Jackson stable has hit 13: 5-2-0 since August 4, posting 39% wins, and has produced a $1.29 ROI for every $1 bet since the beginning of July. Distance will be a challenge to get in gear early enough, but should be heard from late. Win-place bet #1. Exacta key-box 1 with 4,5,8. Picks: 1-5-4-8Thistledown Race 7 | 3:50 pm ETWith high-percentage trainer Kim Pool’s barn going through a slump in recent weeks, this might be a good chance to catch an overlay elsewhere as she has 9-5 and 3-1 morning line choices in the lineup. #6 Onore (6-1 morning line odds) rallied from deep to be a solid third over this track and trip last out in allowance company. Trainer Richard Estvanko doesn’t bring many here from his Belterra base, but is 6: 3-1-1 this season in focused spots. Win-place bet #6. Picks: 6-1-2.

NBC Sports racing and betting analyst Matt Bernier has joined the 1/ST BET and Xpressbet handicapping team as a weekly contributor. He will debut “Bernier’s Best” this Tuesday, providing international rankings for each Breeders’ Cup division, as well as handicap spotlighted major weekend stakes races weekly, available Fridays.Bernier burst into the handicapping spotlight in 2013 when becoming the then-youngest qualifier to the National Handicapping Championship at age 23. In addition to NBC Sports’ Triple Crown, Breeders’ Cup and major stakes coverage, Bernier previously provided his horseplaying insights to the likes of Daily Racing Form and FanDuel TV. This season he’ll co-host the daily simulcast product from Kentucky Downs.The “Bernier’s Best” Tuesday contributions will include a Breeders’ Cup division-by-division ranking with comments on the sport’s leading contenders toward the Oct. 30-31 championship days at Keeneland. An accompanying video will spotlight outstanding divisional performances and look forward to the big races of the coming week. His big-race analysis each Friday will feature his personal fair odds line on each runner, comments and selections – beginning with the $1 million Pacific Classic this Saturday at Del Mar.Bernier is the latest addition to the 1/ST BET and Xpressbet handicapping team, joining Jeremy Plonk, Scott Shapiro, Frank Carulli, Brian W. Spencer, Al Cimaglia and Bailey Armour. The company’s long history of acclaimed handicappers has included John DeSantis, Jon White, Eddie Olczyk and the late, great Jeff Siegel among others.Follow Bernier’s work at news.1st.com and Xpressbet.com as well as on X: @bernier_matt, @1stbet and @xpressbet.

EXTRA INCENTIVES10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Summer Sweep 5 (Gulfstream/Parx)1 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Gulfstream | $3 Players Late Pick 3SCHEDULE NOTESEllis Park | makeup day added today | 12:50 pm ET first postLouisiana Downs | cancelled due to heat--note Louisiana Downs already has cancelled for Tues, WedSPECIAL WAGERSSummer Sweep Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 6-7-9, Parx Races 7-9--$1 minimum, 15% takeout, no CAWNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | Thistledown | $179,703 | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | Gulfstream | $25,553 | begins Race 4 | 1:54 pm ETPick 5 | Finger Lakes | $15,531 | begins Race 4 | 2:22 pm ETKEY RACESPresque Isle Downs | Race 7 | 6:12 pm ET | Princess of Sylmar StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXEllis Park | Race 6 | 3:12 pm ETGulfstream | Race 7 | 3:30 pm ETMountaineer | Race 3 | 7:50 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJuan Pablo Silva | Mountaineer | 4 of 5 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Saratoga | jockey Manny Franco | 3 wins, 1 second from 10 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Yonkers Raceway has a 10-race card to begin the week. The $1.00 Pick 5, with a $10,000 guaranteed pool starts in Race 5. The Spot Plays are in Race 1, Race 5, and Race 7. They can be used in Win Bets and Gimmicks as well. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 1 (6:45 PM EDT)3-Rolling With Sam (9/2)-Cashed a few small checks versus $30k claimers and drops into a better spot for a rare picture. Has posted 1 win in 21 starts, but with the inside draw should be in the hunt at a square price. Joe B gets the call, and he posts 33% winners for the Adamczyk barn. Sam's last win came on 5-11 at YR with tonight's pilot at the controls and will look for the same outcome here.3-6-1Race 5 (8:05 PM EDT)6-Whats Stanley Got A (20-1)-This Team Straton entry has been well represented down a level even from the 8-hole. Liked him last week at this class and was a transportation scratch. Looking for an aggressive steer, could land in the pocket at a big price and trip out. Will look for an alert beginning and a sharp steer.6-4-2Race 7 (8:45 PM EDT)5-Joemikiyoursofine (12-1)-Will fade Heza Risk Taker A the 2/1 rail horse and go with a veteran that offers value. Drops to a more comfortable level and faces a beatable field. Should land in a good early seat and the 6-year-old can be a factor down the lane at a juicy price.5-7-1Check me out on X!

Running Aces has a 12-race card with the feature rolling in Race 8, the Wiseman Memorial with a $35,000 purse. The Spot Plays are in Race 5, Race 8, and Race 9. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 5 (7:28 PM CDT)6-My Little Maverick (7/2)-This 3-year-old has been a bridesmaid to tonight's 3/5 morning line choice #7 Bang Bang Boogie all season. But has been close, should offer a square price and tries Lasix for the 1st time. Can get the jump on its nemesis and if Lasix makes a difference, it could be enough to finally take a picture.7-6-4Race 8 (8:34 PM CDT)7-Escaper (9/2)-Looking for a price and the Herrera trainee could be overlooked. The post draw makes the price and Rick Magee produces 35% winners for this barn. Came off the 3 big tries being used from the outside. Appeared to be driven more conservatively last time in the Elimination and that was the 2nd race within 5 days. Magee should be out and rolling with a bigger check on the line and with a smooth trip, could surprise this crew.7-3-6Race 9 (8:56 PM CDT)7-Minnesota Kid (3-1)-Dropped in last but was ice cold on the board. Did outrace its 26-1 odds but finished a beaten 4th. Drops again, now get a new set of hands in Nick Roland and the change in pilots can make a winning difference. Could roll by them all if within striking range at the top of the lane.7-5-1Check me out on X!

EXTRA INCENTIVES3 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Emerald Downs | early, all-stakes, late pick 4s10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Summer Sweep 5 (Gulfstream/Emerald Downs)Woodbine Mile Flyaway Sweepstakes | earn up to 4 entries today (final day)SCHEDULE NOTESEllis Park | early 11:00 am ET first post due to heat--note Louisiana Downs already has cancelled for Mon, Tues, WedSPECIAL WAGERSSummer Sweep Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 8-9, Emerald Races 9-10-11--$1 minimum, 15% takeout, no CAWTOURNAMENT TIME$800 Del Mar Pacific Classic Betting Challenge Qualifier | details$100 Saratoga Feeder | details$80 Del Mar Feeder | details$40 Canterbury Park Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSSuper Hi 5 | $4,952 | Ellis Park | Race 1 | 11:00 am ETKEY RACESWoodbine | Race 9 | 5:18 pm ET | Vice Regent StakesSaratoga | Race 9 | 6:06 pm ET | Mahony StakesDel Mar | Race 5 | 7:10 pm ET | Rancho Bernardo StakesEmerald Downs | Race 6 | 7:41 pm ET | WTBOA Lassie, presented by 1/ST BETEmerald Downs | Race 7 | 8:14 pm ET | WTBOA Lad, presented by 1/ST BETEmerald Downs | Race 8 | 8:47 pm ET | Emerald Distaff, presented by 1/ST BETEmerald Downs | Race 9 | 9:20 pm ET | Longacres Mile, presented by 1/ST BETEmerald Downs | Race 10 | 9:53 pm ET | Washington Oaks, presented by 1/ST BETEmerald Downs | Race 11 | 10:26 pm ET | Muckleshoot Derby, presented by 1/ST BETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXColonial Downs | Race 8 | 3:48 pm ETSaratoga | Race 8 | 5:31 pm ETDel Mar | Race 6 | 7:43 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHKevin Attard | Woodbine | 6 of 7 entrants 7-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Saratoga | trainer Linda Rice | 5 wins, 1 seconds from 8 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Spot Plays for SundayJeremy Plonk: Del Mar Spot Plays for SundayScott Shapiro: Emerald Downs Longacres Mile Day AnalysisBrian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section