SPECIAL WAGERSSummer Sweep Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 6-7-8, Woodbine Races 5-6--$1 minimum, 15% takeout, no CAWTOURNAMENT TIME$80 Del Mar Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 6 | $92,830 | Saratoga | begins Race 6 | 4:03 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | $66,217 (CAN) | Woodbine | Race 7 | 4:27 pm ETKEY RACESSaratoga | Race 4 | 2:53 pm ET | P.G. Johnson StakesSaratoga | Race 7 | 4:38 pm ET | Seeking the Ante StakesDel Mar | Race 6 | 7:38 pm ET | Generous Portion StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXColonial Downs | Race 8 | 3:53 pm ETSaratoga | Race 10 | 6:17 pm ETDel Mar | Race 8 | 8:42 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHMark Casse | Gulfstream, Saratoga, Colonial | 5 of 6 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Kentucky Downs | jockey Jose Ortiz | 4 wins, 1 second from 7 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Spot Plays for FridayJeremy Plonk: Del Mar Spot Plays for FridayFrank Carulli: Del Mar Friday Late Pick 4 AnalysisFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The final Friday of the Saratoga 2026 meeting kicks off later today at 1:10 PM eastern. The card not only is led by a pair of stakes races for 2YOs, but a Pick 6 carryover of $92,729. Here are my thoughts on the two stakes, as well as must use in the Pick 6.Race 4: P.G. JohnsonThe $200k event for 2YO fillies at 1 1/16-miles over the Inner Turf drew just a field of seven, but it is wide-open nonetheless. #1 Pros and Cons was made the 2-1-ML favorite by oddsmaker David Aragona after taking advantage of a favorable setup in his win over this course on July 10. She draws best and gets Jose Ortiz, but is a tough proposition for yours truly at the likely off odds. The lack of speed in here is quite noticeable and could dictate how things play out, which has me leaning on #7 Mel Went Home. The daughter of Life Is Good makes her second start over the turf going long and takes on stakes foes as a maiden for trainer Robbie Medina. She may have lost by a nose in that first turf try on August 14, but she was clearly best that afternoon. Luis Saez tried to get aggressive on the stretch out, but the outside draw proved too tough for him to get to the front. Instead, Mel Went Home was caught wide throughout at odds of nearly 5-1. Taking on stakes foes as a maiden is obviously a class hike, but plenty of non-winners find their way to the wire first in these early season juvenile stakes races. Hopefully, Jose Lezcano opts for similar tactics as Saez, but is more effective at getting this August Dawn Farm filly to the front. If so, she could prove tough to catch late at a solid price.Play: #7 Mel Went Home (6-1 ML)Picks: 7-2-1Race 7: Seeking the AnteThe second juvenile stakes race is for state-bred fillies at six-furlongs over the main track and makes up the second leg in today’s Pick 6 carryover. I wanted to get aggressive and try to wire the field with first out winner at Canterbury last month #1 Cachorita, but in the end this seems like a lot to ask of the $5k FTK Feb ’25 purchase. She should make the lead from her inside draw, but will likely struggle in holding off 6-5-favorite #5 Velora. The $300k daughter of Yaupon was hammered down to 4-5 in her debut over this surface on August 1 and delivered in a big way pulling away late to win by nearly five lengths in the end. Trainer Linda Rice has won right back in the second start with 6 of her 24 debut winners over the last five years and brings this gal in off a bullet five-furlong drill in 1:00.3. She is a single that is unlikely to provide much value, but spreading might prove foolish to kick off the late Pick 5.Play: #5 Velora (6-5 ML)Picks: 5-2-1Race 8:This second-level allowance at 5.5-furlongs over the grass lacks an abundance of early speed types, so it could make things challenging for those who like to come from well off-the-pace. It is unclear for sure who will make the lead with longshot #1 What’s Up Bro projecting to be prominently placed from his inside draw, but that projection is based on dirt efforts, so you never know if that speed will translate to the grass. It certainly did not on April 25, but that also involved a slow break from the gate. Either way, #5 No Evidence should be in a nice spot early to take advantage of a potential moderate early tempo. The son of Vekoma clearly has soundness issues evidenced by his inability to put back-to-back races together, but ran well when we saw him last in July. He got the jump on 7-2-favorite #2 Bosun that day and was probably fortunate that one was in behind rivals before finding clear sailing late. I expect Flavien Prat to be sure to get the jump on one of his main rivals once again in this challenging handicap for horseplayers. If he does, he could be well on his way to his first winning streak as a racehorse.Play: #5 No Evidence (9-2 ML)Picks: 5-7-2

Yonkers Raceway has a 10-race card. Tonight, the Spot Plays are in Race 4, Race 6, and Race 10. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 4 (7:45 PM EDT)4-Front Page Story (8-1)-Most of this field needs a trip to win and some have beaten Invites when at their best. Dropped last time and didn't attract any money. Raced better than the line looked for a 6th place finish. Did go the back half in 55.3 but was too far back. Steps up as do 3 others and should be a juicy price. Has beaten better and comes back in sequence this time, did miss a start before the last race. This feels like a Pat Lachance special. He usually puts them in where they can win and this gal has the gate speed to be racing with the leaders off the car.4-3-2Race 6 (8:25 PM EDT)3-Blue Chip Lou N (5-1)-Qualified at PcD on 8-6, took control off a slow half and rolled home in 56.4 to draw off by 4-lengths. Brent Holland grabs the lines on this New Zealand invader who makes its US debut. This pilot knows how to make every call a winning one. Holland has driven for the Lance Hudson barn only 8 times but has posted 3 wins. This mare comes right back and if dialed on high could be difficult to tackle.3-1-2Race 10 (9:45 PM EDT)4-Vel Im All Fire (12-1)-Not in love with any of the program chalks (2-1-5) and at this price the 4-year-old does pique my interest. Has been facing $30k claimers and the water was too deep. Did beat the $20k claimers here 2 back and rolled home in 56.1, left from post 5 and went off at 2-1. Takes a significant drop and leaves from one of the best posts. Could pop at a price if Dan Dube finds a live cover flow and pushes the button at the right time.4-2-6Check me out on X!

The action Friday at Del Mar features the $100,000 Generous Portion Stakes Race 6, but my key plays on the card will be surrounding the Cal-bred main event for 2-year-old fillies. We’ll have sentimental rooting interest in Race 1 with Surfin’ U.S.A., the last horse co-owned by the late, great Jeff Siegel, my longtime friend and podcast co-host.As noted going into closing week, Del Mar’s winning favorites have been well below the national average this season at 32% and the average winner has been a shade under 6-1 odds.Each day this summer at Del Mar, I’ll be handicapping the action with my top plays on the card – including full-card selections for a featured program each week (this week’s full-card will be Sunday – featuring the Del Mar Futurity).Del Mar: Race 4 | 6:34 pm ET#2 Young Love (5-1 morning line odds) has spent much of her time in open-company races and is more than capable outside the Cal-bred ranks. She raced vs. tougher last out from a more challenging post and finished with interest, showing off a pace versatility that should come in handy here with fleet Little Opal and Long Mayshe Reign potentially battling early. Should hold a fair price for a barn going well at the end of the meet and always capable in turf sprints. Picks 2-7-6.Del Mar: Race 7 | 8:10 pm ET#4 Bliksem (5-1 morning line odds) looks to continue a fantastic turf meet for trainer Jeff Mullins after a promising debut second with trouble at the start and a spread-out, turf-sprint finish indicating strong top performers. Mullins is 6: 2-0-3 at the meet going sprint to turf route like this and has been profitable on grass with all starters. Picks 4 with 7-10-2Del Mar: Race 8 | 8:42 pm ET#2 Got’m Cot’m (6-1 morning line odds) has been a shining light this meet for a Val Brinkeroff barn that has struggled, which is always a major positive for that outlier who is successful. Joel Rosario jumps saddles to ride for John Sadler here, which is understandable to his overall business, but Tiago Pereira helps the price and has been solid in dirt sprints all meet with top-3 finishes about 50% at average odds of 13-1. Picks 2-6-10

The final Saturday of the 2026 Saratoga season offers racing fans a 12-race card headlined by the Spinaway (G1) for 2YO fillies at seven-furlongs. The featured event goes as Race 11 on a card filled with strong 2YO racing from start-to-finish. Here are my full card thoughts on the slate that kicks at 12:05 PM eastern.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: 1 U.S.S. Valor/2 Mystrix; 8 Implied OpenForecast: #1 U.S.S. Valor ran too well to lose in his first career start back on August 8. The Team Valor International homebred got off to a brutal start almost hitting the rail, but jockey Tyler Gaffalione was able to keep him in the race and put in a strong late run to lose by less than a length. Trainer Shug McGaughey does not win often with debut runners these days, so the fact this son of War of Will ran that well at first asking after the terrible start suggests big things for this colt’s future. He should have no issue with the extra half furlong and besting this field with a cleaner voyage in lifetime try number two.Race 2: With Anticipation (G3)Grade: XUse: 3 High Official; 4 Bold LeadershipForecast: Todd Pletcher holds an extremely strong hand in this year’s With Anticipation. The Hall of Fame conditioner brings the three favorites into the 1 1/16-miles event for 2YOs over the Inner Turf. #3 High Official clearly caught the eye earning a strong 99 late pace Bris rating in his two-length win on July 26. He looms large in his first start versus winners, but #4 Bold Leadership’s effort last time out was probably equally impressive despite losing a tough photo by a nose. The son of Not This Time was caught four-wide into the first turn and lost a ton of ground throughout the 8.5-furlong journey, yet still kept coming and only lost because the eventual winner got a much better trip along the inside. Both Pletcher runners have big upsides and will attempt to run down #2 Liam’s Law, who could be loose on the lead. I expect one of them if not both to get by the third Pletcher runner in the first of two stakes events on the agenda.Race 3:Grade: C+Use: 5 Thirteen Colonies; 4 Highlands WayForecast: #7 Favorable Scenario was made the 8-5-ML favorite by oddsmaker David Aragona after his second consecutive runner-up effort at Saratoga in 2026. The son of Good Magic gets blinkers for the first time, but is one I am willing to try to beat with his lone victory coming over a year ago by a head. #4 Highlands Way is probably the best horse in the race, but could be pace compromised given an overall lack of early zip signed on. I will hope that Ricardo Santana Jr. gives #5 Thirteen Colonies an aggressive ride from the gate to attempt to take advantage of a possible moderate early tempo. If Santana, can get this Hit It a Bomb gelding to the front early, he has a shot to steal it despite a poor effort off the ten-month layoff in July. The price should be fair.Race 4:Grade: C+Use: 2 Stewie; 4 Three B’s; 7 B ThedonaldForecast: The pace should be contentious in this state-bred second-level allowance event at 6.5-furlongs over the main track. #7 B Thedonald is one of the more obvious ones that could potentially take advantage. The son of Girvin ran a solid second in the Mike Lee at odds of nearly 19-1 before flopping at this level in early July. Trainer Horacio De Paz has reportedly gelded this 3YO since and now brings him back for his first start since. He makes sense with Flavien Prat taking the call, but I prefer the likely value of #2 Stewie and #4 Three B’s. Three B’s moves back to his preferred surface after a couple of months off from trainer Linda Rice and could be the one making the final move. Long shot #2 Stewie is likely to be closer to the early pace, but is far from a need the lead type. Trainer Mitchell Friedman took the blinkers off for the first time in his 33-race career on August 16 and it led to one of his best lifetime efforts. He appears capable of being in the mix late, if Ricardo Santana Jr. can work out a favorable pocket type trip from his inside draw.Race 5:Grade: CUse: 2 Joy of Life; 6 Aerial AffairForecast: I lack a strong opinion unfortunately in this seven-furlong affair for 2YO fillies over the main track. #6 Aerial Affair has been the best of those with experience thus far, but has been well-beaten by dominant winners in both of her first two starts making her tough to get excited about it at her likely off-odds. #2 Joy of Life intrigues enough to make my top choice. The daughter of Speaker’s Corner broke sharp from her far outside draw on debut, but was underwhelming the rest of the way losing by 13 lengths despite finishing third. There does not appear to be any world beaters debuting in this spot, so I will hope the experience and the extra half furlong leads to a much improved effort from the Bill Mott trainee.Race 6:Grade: B-Use: 5 Reasoned AnalysisForecast: 5-2-ML favorite #5 Reasoned Analysis makes his third start off the long layoff for trainer Chad Brown. The Upstart gelding has competed in two races out of the Wilson chute, including last time out when he was clearly best despite finishing second beaten a head. The Klaravich Stables runner did all the dirty work battling early, disposing of the other speed easily, and fighting all the way to the wire under Dylan Davis on August 1. The pace is likely to be less contentious in this spot making him the clear one to beat.Race 7:Grade: B-Use: 8 Jackpot Rocket; 5 Pops Novo; 6 ElectroForecast: #3 True Essence ships into New York after a late running second place finish in a 5.5-furlong MSW event at Ellis Park on August 2. More ground and a better setup should help the son of Essential Quality, but the lack of speed and never being in contention until it was too late on debut makes him tough to endorse at his 3-1-ML offering. I will try to beat the favorite with a pair of runners, including top choice #8 Jackpot Rocket. The Tapit colt makes the second start of his career after a solid third place run to Pinpoint on August 1. It was interesting that Junior Alvarado stuck around New York that day instead of taking more obvious stakes mounts elsewhere, but the fact he only rode two firsters suggests someone in that camp likely believed this colt has some serious upside. He should take a big step forward in his second lifetime try. Of the debut runners, I like #5 Pops Novo most. Whit Beckman has been much better at Saratoga with 2YO debut runners than his overall numbers may suggest. This son of Corniche commanded seven figures back in March at the OBS sale suggesting he looked the part. Both colts have the upside to beat this group at solid prices.Race 8:Grade: BUse: 3 Artemis TwoForecast: Trainer Brad Cox enters #3 Artemis Two off of several works over the Turfway Park synthetic in this two-turn MSW event for 2YOs over the Inner Turf. The son of McKinzie has plenty of distance and grass pedigree on the dam side and Cox’s numbers with juveniles debuting over the Saratoga sod at a route of ground over the last three years is eye-popping. Cox has sent out six first-time starters in two-turn grass debuts at the Spa in that time span with four crossing the wire first. This colt draws favorably along the inside and likely is live at first asking.Race 9:Grade: B-Use: 3 Ortley AvenueForecast: #3 Ortley Avenue makes his second start off a year layoff for trainer George Weaver after showing big speed off the bench from his far outside draw, but being unable to hold off the eventual winner in the final strides. The 4YO colt had to work early to make the front from the outside, but draws inside in a race where he appears to be the speed of the speed. His three seconds in five starts is slightly concerning, but if he makes an easy lead that is unlikely to matter in the start of the late Pick 4.Race 10:Grade: BUse: 7 Iron DomeForecast: The pace should be honest and contentious in this first-level allowance at 1 1/8-miles over the main track. Many will look to #5 Preside or #4 Lion of Justice to take advantage, but both have too many questions to answer for me at their likely final prices. I will instead try #8 Iron Dome again. The Into Mischief colt was caught five-wide into the first turn and remained wide throughout on a day where the outside was probably not where you wanted to be on the Saratoga main track last month. North America’s all-time leading trainer Steve Asmussen wheeled him back on short rest in that August 1 start, but has given him far more time to freshen up for this one. Plus, he meets a softer bunch. He should run a lot better than last time out at a solid price.Race 11: Spinaway (G1)Grade: B-Use: 4 Stress Relief; 8 Life Changing/7 Angel of Kirk; 2 Summer StarletForecast: Trainer Johnny Ortiz won both the Adirondack (G3) and the Spinaway in 2023 with Brightwork. #4 Stress Relief attempts to do similar in her third career start for trainer Kinnon LaRose. The Not This Time filly dazzled in her debut, but admittedly the race has not come back that strong at Churchill. She followed it up though with a big move forward on the class hike over this surface at the tricky 6.5-furlong distance. She obviously meets the toughest field in her career, but is a good bet at anything close to her 8-1-ML price. #2 Summer Starlet, #8 Life Changing, and #7 Angel of Kirk all won impressively over this surface on debut and have unlimited upsides. Of the three, I prefer Life Changing a touch in this spot. The outside draw, natural speed, and presence of Flavien Prat are all at least somewhat noteworthy. That said, I will likely focus my wagering on my top choice.Race 12:Grade: XUse: 3 OriForecast: #3 Ori is unlikely to offer much value in the finale, but looks like the right horse nonetheless in this optional claimer at two-turns on the grass. The Hard Spun mare makes her second start of the summer in Saratoga after tackling better on July 4. She gets Flavien Prat, a favorable post, and has the speed to find a prominent spot early. Looks like a formful result to close the card.

A full field of 12 California-bred 2-year-old fillies are entered in the Generous Portion Stakes this Friday at Del Mar. The $100,000 featured race is part of a Late 50-cent Pick 4 that shapes up this way;Del Mar Race 5 (7:00 p.m. EST) Taking nothing to chance in this $20,000 maiden claimer. POTICA should run well on the drop from the MSW ranks. THIRSTY CAITLIN beat POTICA twice in photo-finish setbacks but was well-beaten in her last two starts. CLUB MAYO had a useful, wide trip as a beaten first-out favorite. Hit the ‘ALL’ button in the leadoff leg.Del Mar Race 6 (7:30 p.m. EST)  DAYTONA DIAMOND, hard to load and under urging on the backstretch, inhaled rivals on the turn and ran away from the 4-to-5 runner-up and two other follow-up MSW winners in her debut. Trainer Carla Gaines is 7-for-34 since October 2024 with second-out starters. PALO ALTO BABY won by 9 lengths in wire-to-wire fashion in her first start for a $50,000 claiming tag, despite being kept off the rail on the turn and being geared down late. Only one of her rivals that day, however, have posted a 40-plus Beyer speed figure, so use DAYTONA DIAMOND as a solo play in the Generous Portion Stakes.Del Mar Race 7 (8:00 p.m. EST)  DREAM SEEKER saved ground behind the pace-setting favorite until the stretch, angled out 4-wide and finished a willing third in the same spot. WILDCATTER saved ground throughout, lost some momentum midway on the final turn and was moved up to second via disqualification after he regrouped. Post 10 is no bargain, but he should get plenty of pace to rally into. VIREVOLTE will try to follow the footsteps of his dam, Place des Vosges, a solid allowance runner for trainer Richard Baltas with a 24/4-6-3 turf record and $218k in earnings.Del Mar Race 8 (8:30 p.m. EST) GOT’M COT’M is in top form and appears rounding to another good effort in his third start on the main track this year. He kept the 4-to-5 favorite in his sights, drew even in mid-stretch and dug in the prevail with a career-best 84 Beyer. Note that the favorite, Howie’s Law, posted a 91 Beyer in a next-out romp and ran 1-2/5 seconds faster in his maiden-breaking win two starts prior on the same day FORD FRENZY – a major contender in this race – romped to his first victory. DRIFTING AND DREAMING hopped in air at the start of his debut, gained perfect stalking position off the dueling leaders and edge away late in a $50,000 maiden claimer. Trainer John Sadler is 13/4-2-3 with second-out repeaters in the last two years.Suggested Late Pick 4 TicketDMR 5th Race: ALLDMR 6th Race: 7 (If scratched, use #2)DMR 7th Race: 2, 5, 10DMR 8th Race: 2, 6, 11Cost for a 50-cent ticket: $45

EXTRA INCENTIVES$3,000 Exacta-Thon | Kentucky Downs | today’s racesBet $100, Get $10 | Saratoga | today’s racesSCHEDULE NOTESKentucky Downs | early first post (noon ET), will run Races 1-7 only due to heat | no pick 6 todayColonial Downs | early first post (9:00 am ET) due to heatSPECIAL WAGERSSummer Sweep Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 6-8-9, Horseshoe Indy Races 3-4--$1 minimum, 15% takeout, no CAWTOURNAMENT TIME$300 Kentucky Downs Challenge | details$80 Del Mar Feeder | details$40 Canterbury Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $306,144 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $31,321 | Del Mar | Race 8 | 8:42 pm ETKEY RACESColonial Downs | Race 3 | 9:56 am ET | Scott HandicapThistledown | Race 7 | 3:50 pm ET | Angenora StakesSaratoga | Race 9 | 5:44 pm ET | Bernard Baruch StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXKentucky Downs | Race 2 | 12:30 pm ETDelaware Park | Race 4 | 1:56 pm ETDel Mar | Race 8 | 8:42 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHSteve Asmussen | Remington Park | 12 of 14 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Presque Isle Downs | favorites won 7 of 8 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Kentucky Downs Exacta-Thon Plays for ThursdayScott Shapiro: Saratoga Spot Plays for ThursdayJeremy Plonk: Del Mar Spot Plays for ThursdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Sweltering heat around Franklin, KY will shorten the Kentucky Downs Thursday action that gets underway at an earlier noon ET / 11 am CT local start. Only Races 1-7 will be offered Thursday in an attempt to beat the heat while remaining races will be brought back later in the 1/ST BET Kentucky Downs meeting.The 1/ST BET and Xpressbet daily $3,000 Exacta-Thon could prove even more lucrative if able to pull down winning exactas ($2 minimum) in at least 3 of races. The 7 chances Thursday likely means fewer players sharing in the bonus money, creating a bigger winning split. Don’t sleep on win plays as exotics at Kentucky Downs can be a challenge, witnessed by our 4 plays in this space on Sunday – which included 3 winners at nice prices but unsuccessful deliveries of the runners-up to complete an exacta.Let’s get to work.Kentucky Downs: Race 3 | 1:00 pm ET#6 Turino (7-2 morning line odds) was a strong second here in 2023 and makes her first local bid in 2 years while carrying good form this year at Gulfstream. The offspring of Kantharos are fabulous locally, winning 25% with a $3.06 return for every $1 bet. Saffie Joseph wins 25% in local allowance races over the past 5 years with a profitable ROI to boot. I’ll key Turino on top and play to win.Exacta-Thon plays: 6 over 2,5,7Kentucky Downs: Race 5 | 2:06 pm ET#2 That Wasn’t Me (6-1 morning line odds) had no chance behind a slow pace at Colonial Downs last time and note that circuit has produced a flat-bet profit the last 5 years at KD with its shippers (and produced 3 winners opening week). Kelsey Danner’s runners were knocking on the door last week locally and keep in mind this one’s sire, Blame, had a fantastic 19% local win rate the last 5 years with a gawdy $1.85 return for every $1 bet. Lots to like. Win bet and key to the exactas.Exacta-Thon plays: Key-box 2 with 4,6,10.Kentucky Downs: Race 6 | 2:39 pm ET#6 One Sweet Girl (12-1 morning line odds) is the day’s price play for me returning to the allowance ranks, where she’s won 2 straight clouded around some decent stakes tries. Note that sire Good Samaritan’s offspring are a wild 26% winner over this turf course the last 5 years with a $1.40 return on every $1 bet. She’s never been on the KD turf, but look for this Carlos David trainee to handle it on pedigree and note jockey Jaime Torres won 2 races here opening week. Strong pace set-up helps her finish. Win-place money for sure.Exacta-Thon plays: Key-box 6 with 7,8