It didn’t take last year’s Fun in the Sun Final Table winner Andy Muhlada long to get back to this year’s big Labor Day destination. Muhlada finished fifth in Week 2 of the annual handicapping contest last Saturday and became the tenth player already qualified to the 40-seat finale. Week 3 returns this Saturday and features the Jim Dandy card at Saratoga alongside Del Mar racing action.Fun in the Sun contestants play for weekly prize money and a chance to join each week’s top-5 players in the tournament’s Final Table on Labor Day. The FITS progressive jackpot for the Final Table stands at $11,680 after the first 2 qualifying rounds with $10,000-added from Xpressbet.Last week’s top entry was Thomas Carroll, whose $297.80 mutuel total was a whopping $60.50 better than runner-up Barry Hill. Carroll earned $1,176 for his work, while Carroll was awarded $490. They will advance to the Final Table along with third-place Wardell Dodds ($236.90, earned $294 in additional prize money), fourth-place David Essig ($216.90 mutuel total) and the aforementioned Andy Muhlada ($176.90 mutuel total).The 9-week Fun in the Sun handicapping contest runs 8 Saturdays from July 18-September 5 and concludes with the Final Table on Labor Day Monday, September 7.Entry is just $25 each qualifying round week and players utilize a $100 live bankroll on the final 5 races from Saratoga and first 5 races from Del Mar ($10 parimutuel win bets in each of the contest races). The top-5 players in accumulated earnings each week qualify for a seat in the final table, where just 40 entries will square off for the grand prize (players can qualify up to 2 entries in the Final Table). Weekly prize pool money will be on the line for the top-3 finishers each Saturday (70% of entry fees paid out weekly, 30% carries over to the Final Table pool).The Final Table format began in 2020 and past champions include Robert Rosen (2020), Wayne Tam (2021), Kevin Saunders (2022), Joe Tambasco (2023), Gordon Maruya (2024) and Andy Muhlada (2025).2026 Tournament DatesSaturday, July 18, 25Saturday, August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29Saturday and Monday, September 5 and 7 (Final Table)Buy-In$125 Buy-In per week, split between $100 Bankroll + $25 Entry FeeHow to PlayTournament consists of the last five (5) races each Saturday at Saratoga and the first five (5) races each Saturday at Del Mar. Players must make a $10 Win bet on one (1) horse in each race via the Contest Wagerpad.Weekly Prize Pool70% of Entry Fees are paid out each week as the Weekly Prize PoolWeekly PrizesTop Five (5) finishers each week automatically qualify for the Final Table1st Place Finisher – 60% of Weekly Prize Pool + Final Table Seat2nd Place Finisher – 25% of Weekly Prize Pool + Final Table Seat3rd Place Finisher – 15% of Weekly Prize Pool + Final Table Seat4th Place Finisher – Final Table Seat5th Place Finisher – Final Table SeatFinal Table Prizes30% of Entry Fees carried over to the Final Table$10,000-added prize pool courtesy of Xpressbet1st Place Finisher: 55% of Final Table Prize Pool2nd Place Finisher: 25% of Final Table Prize Pool3rd Place Finisher: 10% of Final Table Prize Pool4th Place Finisher: 5% of Final Table Prize Pool5th Place Finisher: 5% of Final Table Prize Pool‍For more and to register, visit the Tournaments page.

A 4-day racing week awaits as Del Mar hits Week 3 of the summer stand. A strong Saturday built on an already positive ROI, and after the first 2 weeks of Del Mar racing, our 39 top choices have returned $3.14 for every $2 bet – at an average win price of $13.60. First post for Thursday’s 8-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 will be Saturday).Del Mar: Race 2| 5:30 pm ET#4 Baytown Butterfly (8-1 morning line odds) imploded last time when stretched to a mile with blinkers on. She’s back to a preferred distance and the hood is removed by trainer Peter Miller (31% going blinkers off). Eligible for the ship-and-win bonus money via Kentucky, well-placed and the Omaha Beach offspring have won a sharp 23% here in recent years coming into the summer. Win-place bet #4. Picks 4-1-3Del Mar: Race 7 | 8:00 pm ET#10 Syntax (7-2 morning line odds) outran her longshot odds in the Desert Stormer last out and comes back to a very competitive level for a jockey-trainer combo having success at the meeting. But it’s sire Pavel who has stolen the show – his offspring are an incredible 7: 5-1-0 at the current meet (including wins at $32, $82 and a second at 10-1). Win bet #10. Daily Double 10-1. Picks 10-4-3Del Mar: Race 8 | 8:30 pm ET#1 Sunny Creed (12-1 morning line odds) hits the 2-sprints-to-a-route form cycle and trainer Jeff Mullins has been pulling the right strings on turf early in the Del Mar stand. He’s 10-2-2-3 on grass with $14 and $16 winners plus another 13-1 shot on the board. Flips from tough post last out to a great rail trip here for a 34%, highly profitable jockey-trainer combo. Use with stablemate #4 Winika. Win-place bet #1. Exacta 1,4 with 1,4,9. Picks 1-4-9.

The Lead:The famed Arlington Million, Thoroughbred racing's first seven-figure stakes race founded in 1981, makes a fourth appearance since its transition to Colonial Downs in Virginia. Saturday's card includes the sister race, the Beverly D, as well as the Secretariat Stakes for 3-year-olds and a bevy of undercard stakes. History could be in store as defending champion FORT WASHINGTON looks to become the event's first back-to-back winner and join the legendary John Henry as the only horses to secure 2 editions of the Million.Horseplayers at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet be sure to check out the $5,000 Hit & Split promotion on the late pick 4 and pick 5 Saturday from Colonial Downs ($2,500 bonus money up for grabs with each wager).​​Field Depth:Grade 1 winners BURNHAM SQURE, FORT WASHINGTON and TEST SCORE have won at the highest levels. INTEGRATION is a Grade 2 winner and Grade 1-placed, while MERCANTE is a Grade 3 winner and Grade 1-placed. DRESDEN ROW and LAYABOUT are Grade 3 winners, while GRAN ORIENTE won at the Group 1-level in his native Chile. In terms of schedule strength, it’s a close call between TEST SCORE, FORT WASHINGTON and INTEGRATION overall on turf.​Pace:LAYABOUT and MERCANTE figure to show the most early interest, while GRAN ORIENTE would not surprise near the front on the stretch-out and under a hustling jockey from the outside gate. The pace looks average for the level and doesn’t favor any style.Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.1-DRESDEN ROW: Canadian export won a pair of Kentucky allowance races after coming to Todd Pletcher this spring – including a Keeneland decision over Arlington Million rival Integration. Finished on the heels of returnee Mercante last out in the Wise Dan and now will be tested for distance. Tactical running style and inside trip could help him stretch his game and it’s hard to scoff at 18-for-18 in the money lifetime. After a slow July run, the Pletcher barn perked up Sunday with 2 wins and a second from 3 Saratoga starters – perhaps turning a corner? Would like him more if at a slightly shorter trip, but can’t dismiss chances.2-LAYABOUT: Middle-distance sort stretched out twice this winter at Gulfstream and wired the W.L. McKnight before setting the tone and tiring to fourth in the Mac Diarmida. While I like the form cycle here of adding distance in his second start off the layoff, I don’t see a race on his form capable of beating this quality over 10 furlongs. No knock winning 5 of his last 9, but prefer others.3-FORT WASHINGTON: The defending champ doesn't inspire comparisons to John Henry as his run at history might hint, but he doesn't have to compete against anyone of that hero's ilk. Still, the late-runner has been inconsistent with 6 off-the-board finishes in his last 10 starts. Nevertheless, he’s won the Million and 2 editions of the Dinner Party during that span when it all comes together. Jockey Junior Alvarado sticks at Saratoga on Saturday, leaving the mount to Javier Castellano, returning from injury. Stylistically I prefer Castellano on turf speed, so we’ll see how this marriage works. Standing against the Shug McGaughey trainee on Saturday based on a 5: 1-0-0 mark since winning this last summer.4-INTEGRATION: The 2024 Arlington Million runner-up and 2025 third-place finisher is the second of 2 Shug McGaughey entrants in this lineup. He’s had more local experience than the rest of the field combined, including a 2023 Virginia Derby score among a 5: 3-1-1 course mark. Failed to notch a stakes win in 6 tries since late in the 2024 campaign but knocks on the door every time. Exits a Manhattan that was run way too sharp for his liking and should appreciate a more controlled pace Saturday. Would not shock.5-BURNHAM SQUARE: Dominant winner of the Elkhorn and Louisville at marathon trips this spring, last year’s Blue Grass Stakes winner on dirt is now 5-for-5 in the exacta since moving to turf. Damside pedigree always indicated grass potential, and he’s found a home on it. Not as dominant last out when up on the pace by default, but the more-defined running styles of his rivals here should have him sitting chilly this time and give him his best chance. Trained on cue for this and the horse to beat.6-TEST SCORE: Such a deliberate and consistent running style keeps him in the hunt nearly every time, regardless of venue. He’s 0-for-3 beyond 1-1/8 miles but not embarrassed in those losses. Slightly better with a top-of-ground kind of firm turf – so a week full of dry skies and temps in the mid to upper 80s should give him that. First Colonial foray, but damsire Kitten’s Joy ran one of the best races of his career over this lawn in winning the 2004 Virginia Derby over Artie Schiller. Contender.7-MERCANTE: Millionaire earner rarely gets bet and will be a price again for trainer Brian Knippenberg. Seven straight losses have seen him hang a bit late in the going and settling for minor awards, which concerns as he extends to 10 furlongs. Dam, Caressing, did produce West Coast, a Travers winner over the distance, but he’s run enough times to trust his performances over the pedigree. Last effort in the Wise Dan was his best of the year and would like him quite a bit more if trip was shorter.8-GRAN ORIENTE: Hottest horse in the Million has won 4 of his last 5, though the lone defeat was his only attempt in a graded stakes. Has improved since adding distance after showing stamina in Chile a season ago. Jockey Paco Lopez has been on point at Colonial, as have the limited shippers from Saffie Joseph Jr. this meeting. Not the most dangerous player, but not out of the discussion.Most Likely Exotics Contender:INTEGRATION has a stellar local mark and has hit the board twice already in this race. He’s maintained consistent form coming into the race and capable at the distance.Best Longshot Contender:MERCANTE has 4 different graded-stakes placings at 13-1 or more odds in his last 10 starts. He hasn’t had the knockout punch late but could light the superfecta underneath and add a nice number again.​​Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$50 exacta BOX BURNHAM SQUARE and INTEGRATION ($100).

SCHEDULE NOTESSaratoga | canceled today due to weatherTOURNAMENT TIME$40 Mountaineer Feeder | details$40 Assiniboia Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | Thistledown | $88,712 | begins Race 4 | 1:50 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | Belterra | $2,031 | Race 8 | 4:05 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | $3,634 | Race 6 | 4:45 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | Assiniboia Downs | $476,666 (CAN) | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ETKEY RACESAssiniboia Downs | Race 3 | 9:25 pm ET | Debutante StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 7 | 5:16 pm ETMountaineer | Race 4 | 8:15 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHLinda Rice | Presque Isle, Finger Lakes | all 6 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Presque Isle Downs | jockey Gaddiel Martinez | 3 wins from 7 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The final week of racing in July continues on Thursday afternoon with an eight-race card now that the featured Glens Falls (G2) has been moved to Sunday afternoon. The card commences at 1:10 PM eastern. Here are a couple of horses I like most on the day. Race 4: He will not be a big price to kick off the Thursday Pick 6, but #5 Preside should be tough to beat in this seven-horse field of MSW foes going 1 1/8-miles over the main track. The $1.5M OBS April ’25 purchase was off to a very slow start on debut before making a middle move and tiring late going seven-furlongs on June 7. Trainer Steve Asmussen brought the Tiz the Law colt back just 20 days later in Louisville to make his first two-turn start and he moved forward significantly. Not only did Preside show far more gate speed than he did in his first start, but ran very well overall to finish second beaten just half a length. He has three local works since, retains the services of Irad Ortiz Jr., and should beat this group with a repeat of his run at Churchill Downs a month ago over the off track. Play: #5 Preside (7-5 ML) Picks: 5-1-6 Race 6: My next play comes in this open $30k claimer over the main track where I do not trust the ML favorites. #2 Run Classic’s best races crush this field, but I have major concerns about where the 8YO is at this point of his career. He moves into the Joe Sharp barn and drops in class in his first start since late May, but is likely to take too much public support. #3 Pair of Socks also drops in class off the freshening for Linda Rice. He was consistent this winter/spring at Aqueduct hitting the board in all five starts, but earned just one win to show for it. Plus, Rice is off to a chilly start to the summer, especially over the dirt. The veteran conditioner is just 3 for 38 heading into action on Wednesday dating back to the start of the meeting for a $0.53 ROI making this one tough to get excited about at his 2-1-ML offering. I will try to get the jump on them both with New York-bred #5 Factually Correct. The son of Tourist was claimed out of his last race by low profile trainer Roshan Samshunder. The new connections leg up Kendrick Carmouche after watching the gelding get caught in chase mode in a race where the two speeds dominated from start-to-finish on July 9. Carmouche should have no issue getting this one into the race and is probably the horse that moves up most over a potential off track. Hopefully, it propels him to his first career victory at the Spa. Play: #5 Factually Correct (9-2 ML) Picks: 5-2-4

Throughout July, Tuesdays and Thursdays heat up at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet with our Red, White & Bet promotion. Bet $100, Get $10 on select tracks this month. Next up Tuesday will be Horseshoe Indianapolis, where early conditions are sloppy and off the turf. Here’s how I’ll approach the card in Indiana with an assist from the Betmix Angler database.Horseshoe Indianapolis Race 2 | 2:41 pm ET#4 I Made It (8-1 morning line odds) won her start over a wet track last summer here at Indy and goes for a Stephen Fosdick barn that has 2 wins ($6, $13) and a runner-up (at 9-2) among its last 6 starters at the meet. Slight class drop could help after unsuccessful turf bid. Lotta of similarities to #6 Reimagine and also a useful price shot here. Win-place bet #4. Exacta 4,6 with 4,6,3. Picks: 4-6-3Horseshoe Indianapolis Race 7 | 5:16 pm ET#8 Rigoberto (3-1 morning line odds) should be tightened after a return third in June after 7 months away. Finished just behind the morning line favorite last out and any improvement turns the table. Note jockey Manny Esquivel is riding lights out right now at Indy, going 9: 4-1-1 the past 2 weeks with limited mounts (has just 2 today). Win bet #8. Picks: 8-7-4Eligible tracks and days:• Tuesday, July 28 // Horseshoe Indianapolis• Thursday, July 30 // Charles Town

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | today’s racesTOURNAMENT TIME$40 Mountaineer Feeder | details$40 Assiniboia Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | Thistledown | $75,886 | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | Assiniboia Downs | $446,569 (CAN) | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 6 | 4:45 pm ETFairmount Park | Race 7 | 5:00 pm ETMountaineer | Race 4 | 8:15 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJuan Pablo Silva | Mountaineer | 4 of 5 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Horseshoe Indy | jockey Fernando De La Cruz | 2 wins ($11, $14), 2 seconds from 5 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Horseshoe Indianapolis Bet $100, Get $10 promo picksFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

EXTRA INCENTIVES1 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Gulfstream’s $3 Players Late Pick 3 | today10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Gulfstream / Horseshoe Indy Summer Sweep 5 betsSCHEDULE NOTESParx | currently on 3-week summer breakSPECIAL WAGERSSummer Sweep Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 3-5-7, Horseshoe Indianapolis Races 2-3--$1 minimum, 15% takeout, no CAWTOURNAMENT TIME$40 Mountaineer Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPlace Pick 8 | Gulfstream | $6,207 | begins Race 2 | 12:49 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | Gulfstream | $25,003 | begins Race 4 | 1:48 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | Thistledown | $68,074 | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 6 | 4:45 pm ETLouisiana Downs | Race 5 | 6:57 pm ETMountaineer | Race 4 | 8:15 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHSteve Asmussen | Louisiana Downs, Horseshoe Indy | 4 of 5 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Gulfstream | favorites went 1-for-9 on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMRon Nicoletti: Gulfstream Park full-card picks for MondayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section