The racing action at Saratoga Race Course returns on Wednesday afternoon where it is the start of Travers Week. The biggest week on the summer calendar in New York kicks off with an eight-race card that is headlined by the $200k Bolton Landing for 2YO fillies sprinting over the sod, The feature goes as Race 7 with post time set for 4:40 PM local time. Here the horses I am most interested in to start Travers Week.Race 4:This MSW for fillies and mares at 5.5-furlongs over the grass is a competitive eight-horse field that kicks off the late Pick 5. Morning line favorites #4 Fletch’s Rockette and #1 Vajra both are capable, but have limited upside at this point having competed four times already without a win. On the other hand, #2 Saint Tropez is more of a wild card. The daughter of More Than Ready makes just her second lifetime start after a speed and fade effort going two-turns over the grass on the Fourth of July. Trainer Phil Antonacci knows how to spot his runners evidenced by his 30% win rate with a 44-start sample size in 2026. This gal is bred more for two-turns, but could end up working out a dream trip on the cutback with Ricardo Santana Jr. back aboard. Her price should be worth the gamble.Play: #2 Saint Tropez (9-2 ML)Picks: 2-1-8Race 5:This state-bred MSW event over the Inner Turf certainly goes through 5-2-ML favorite #9 Al Mowashaah. The Tiz the Law colt moved forward in his first start going long over the lawn after tiring late in a dirt sprint to kick off his career. His effort was encouraging last out in the sense he was able to relax and come with a solid run, but he was from flying home when caught from behind by a first-time starter. Therefore, backing him at a short price is less than ideal. I will try to beat him with #1 House of War. The War Dancer colt debuts for trainer Jorge Abreu after a long series of local drills, including a few on the turf. He draws favorably for a barn that has not sent out a 2YO firster going long on the grass yet this summer at Saratoga, but is 2 for 6 with the runners they have sent out at the Spa over the last five years. Hopefully, he is ready to fire fresh!Play: #1 House of War (8-1 ML)Picks: 1-9-7Race 7: Bolton LandingThe feature is a fun one for juvenile fillies traveling 5.5-furlongs over the sod where a case could be made for many. #3 Side Quest was made the understandable 5-2-ML favorite by oddsmaker David Aragona after stalking in the clear off a longshot speed horse early and pulling away for fun to break her maiden on July 23. A move forward makes her tough to beat, but she is likely to get a much different voyage than she got from her outside draw against lesser last month. I will try to beat her with #6 Allura. The Mind Control filly debuted on July 3 where she showed early speed from the gate and held safe at odds of 12-1. Trainer Kelsey Danner has given her time since the win and now draws favorably to the outside and attracts Flavien Prat. Unless she outbreaks the field, I expect Prat to try to stalk from the outside with this gal in her second lifetime start. Hopefully she is in with a shot late and shows the grit she did to spring the upset over this surface on debut. The price should be fair.Play: #6 Allura (8-1 ML)Picks: 6-2-3

Travers Week is here and we're just over two months until the 2026 Breeders’ Cup World Championships are held at Keeneland Race Course. It’s time to start thinking about what each of the championship races may look like and who the main players might be. Each week, I’ll adjust my personal rankings accordingly based on races and news from the weekend prior. The juvenile divisions will enter the equation once the marquee summer meetings have concluded.Below you’ll find my rankings for nine of the Breeders' Cup divisions, with the top four contenders listed in chronological order. Any changes made, whether they be additions / subtractions or new comments, are italicized.CLASSIC1 - Forever Young (last week: 1)• To be the man, you’ve got to beat the man; likely to prep in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at BEL before heading to Kentucky…the best in the world on dirt when on his game2 - Sovereignty (last week: 2)• The champ was back and arguably better than ever in the Whitney; may indeed be a Saratoga move up but that doesn’t preclude him from winning a race like the Classic at KEE3 - Magnitude (last week: 3)• If you forgive his Saratoga form he’s done nothing wrong; ticks all the boxes at what’s likely a reasonable price assuming you can get past the dud in the Whitney4 - Knightsbridge (last week: 4)• Devastated the G1 Pacific Classic over the weekend, a field that was a G1 in name only; hard to find anyone to dispute his brilliance, but the question remains - can he reproduce that brilliance against the cream of the crop?DISTAFF | VIDEO SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK1 - Nitrogen (last week: 1)o Ran arguably the best race of her career in defeat in the Whitney; outside chance she takes on boys again but strictly the horse to beat if she tackles the females in the Distaff2 - Counting Stars (last week: 2)• Defeated as the heavy chalk in the G1 Alabama this weekend; clearly not her best but not going to be overly reactionary…she’s still one of the favorites in this division when firing on all cylinders3 - Always a Runner (last week: 3)• The Kentucky Oaks winner is going to run in the Cotillion at Parx; may be of comparable ability to Counting Stars but down in the head-to-head battles4 - Splendora (last week: 4)• Not completely sold that she’s truly a 9F type but hard to argue with her 2026 record to this point; defending BC FM Sprint winner gives Baffert options to either go long or turn her backSPRINT1 - Englishman (last week: 1)• Staggeringly good effort in the Woody Stephens, earning a 115 Beyer; returns in the Allen Jerkens at Saratoga this Saturday, where a repeat of the Stephens would result in another G1 victory2 - T O Elvis (last week: 2)• Lost in the late odds hoopla on Derby Day was just how emphatic his win in the Churchill Downs was; may need to find a bit if Englishman holds his form - but may not need to find much3 - Book’em Danno (last week: 3)• Would have been the first or second-choice in last year’s BC Sprint; two necks away from being undefeated in his last eight starts. Battles Saturday at the Spa4 - Listenupshance (last week: 4)• Narrowly defeated by Danno in the True North but came back to win the G1 Bing Crosby at DMR; seemingly continues to improve as the season progresses…if that trend continues he’s interesting at a priceFM SPRINT1 - Kilwin (last week: 1)• Light on figs but undefeated on dirt in three tries, including a G1; division is fairly deep but have a strong inkling we’ve still not seen this one’s best. In action Saturday at Saratoga2 - Explora (last week: 2)• Filly had been screaming for a turn back all spring but stayed the Oaks course; since the turn back has looked like a monster…figs still light compared to the older fillies and mares but on the right path3 - Eclatant (last week: 3)• The best version of Eclatant is probably the best female sprinter on dirt, but she’s not always fired her best on the clock; good to know her career defining race came over course / distance in spring’s G1 Madison @ KEE4 - Ways and Means (last week: 4)• May simply be a Saratoga freak and a shell of herself away from the Spa -- but runs on her home ground Saturday; how good is her good? Arguably the best - but does that version show up in October at KEE?TURF1 - Burnham Square (last week: 1)• His figs may be tapering off some but his win over course / distance this spring makes him a legit threat against all comers; a 107 Beyer in this race historically puts you right there at the wire2 - Calandagan (last week: 2)• Bit of a leap with any of the Euros regarding who is / isn’t coming over; maybe not visiting the winner’s circle as much as he was in 2025 but still capable of firing elite-level shots at 12F3 - Benvenuto Cellini (last week: 3)• Has long been discussed as being the cream of the 3YO crop in Europe; first try against elders at Ascot was fine…nothing more, nothing less4 - Ethical Diamond (last week: 4)• The surprise winner of last year’s BC Turf (with a 107 Beyer) hasn’t had much of a campaign in 2026; stating the obvious - if he can get back to the Del Mar form he showcased last fall, he’s dangerousMILE1 - Gstaad (last week: 1)• If not for the since retired Bow Echo, we may be looking at an unbeaten 3YO campaign comprised of four G1s to this point; already shown that American style of racing is no issue with last year’s BC Juvenile Turf win @ DMR2 - Blue Bolt (last week: 2)• She’s done little wrong in her career in Europe and has established herself as the clear leader of the filly and mare milers; Juddmonte filly would be extremely dangerous if she came over3 - Notable Speech (last week: 3)• Has been known to lay an egg from time to time but his North American record is quite strong; miserably unlucky at Keeneland in April, likely wins that G1 with any sort of racing luck4 - Deterministic (last week: 4)• Hasn’t lost a turf race since October 2024; five consecutive 100+ Beyers at distances ranging from 8F to 9.5F is no small feat…the best of the American bunch at the momentFM TURF1 - Thundering On (last week: 1)• Time hasn’t been kind to the form of the Epsom Oaks, however her turn of foot was electric that day; assuming she comes over, would have to think she’s in with a big chance for Joseph O’Brien2 - Diamond Necklace (last week: 2)• Unbeaten filly of Aidan O’Brien’s has acted on a variety of ground over a variety of distances…nothing really to knock other than her price come BC Saturday; could see her go longer in BC Turf if connections want 12F3 - Precise (last week: 3)• Another of AOB’s who is at the elite level; she’s not as good as Blue Bolt (and likely others) at the mile, so wonder if a stretch to FM Turf’s 9.5F @ KEE is in the cards4 - Kathynmarissa (last week: 4)• As solid as they come in the U.S., winning the G1 Diana at Saratoga in most recent start; race being run at 9.5F works to her advantage and she’s trained by Chad Brown, who has multiple FM Turf victories on his resumeTURF SPRINT1 - Cy Fair (last week: 1)• Has done nothing wrong in her career and exits a win at Saratoga that has already produced two next-out winners; a 3YO filly won this race last year2 - Bacio (last week: unranked)• Devastating winning the G1 Nunthorpe at York over the weekend for Wesley Ward over a highly-accomplished group; no fault with anyone saying he’s clearly tops, just still believe in the filly at #1’s ability3 - Ag Bullet (last week: 2)• One of the main beneficiaries of the 5.5F trip this year; rock solid mare who fires her best more often than not - back in action Saturday at Kentucky Downs4 - Shisospicy (last week: 3)• Difficult to say what to expect from her with the nonexistent campaign but know her best is as good as anyone’sDIRT MILE1 - Knightsbridge (last week: 1)• Hard to imagine the connections not heading to the Classic despite having both he and Sovereignty but will remain a part of this group for the time being2 - Napoleon Solo (last week: 2)• The Preakness winner would probably be a likelier Classic starter - but would have a better chance of winning the Dirt Mile; tactical speed and already a G1 winner at the mile distance in his career; see him in Saturday's Travers vs. best 3YOs3 - Bishops Bay (last week: 3)• Solid older veteran who probably isn’t a true G1 caliber runner, but depending on who shows up here…this may not be a race of true G1 caliber4 - Chunk of Gold (last week: 4)• Gave Bishops Bay all he could handle in the Iselin - perhaps a rising 4YO who could steal this at a decent number; owns a win over the course last fall by more than 8L

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | today’s racesNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | Thistledown | $235,315 | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | Assiniboia Downs | $172,497 | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ETKEY RACESAssiniboia Downs | Race 6 | 10:40 pm ET | Plentiful StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXLouisiana Downs | Race 7 | 3:23 pm ETFinger Lakes | Race 9 | 4:47 pm ETFairmount Park | Race 10 | 6:15 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHScott Becker | Fairmount Park | 5 of 6 entrants 7-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Louisiana Downs | favorites won 1 of 7 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli: Horseshoe Indy Bet $100, Get $10 Plays for TuesdayBrian 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 Horseshoe Indianapolis.Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 1#2 ALEXAS HOPE (9-2): Bided her time, much the best in turf-to-dirt route, taken to repeat.#4 FAWN LIEBOWITZ (5-1): Second to odds-on winner on return to main track, steps up off Klopp claim.#1 ACOSTAMBO (3-1): Stretches out off maiden sprint victory; dam was stakes-placed router.Race Summary: ALEXAS HOPE saved ground under a snug hold to the far turn in a longer route race last out. She awaited room at the quarter pole, surged through an opening between rivals in early stretch and won easily. She could work out a similar trip in this field. Bet to win and place and play a 2/1, 4, 6/ALL trifecta.Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 5#8 MAD MO (7-2): True colors showed with blinkers and a better start, missed in photo finish.#1 RUETTIGER (8-1): $675K sales buy debuts off a long series of works at Keeneland.#2 MODERN LEGACY (6-1): Took serious money but was no threat in debut, changes riders.Race Summary: MAD MO awakened with blinkers on after a bullet gate workout. He bid 4-wide at the 3/8 pole but was out-kicked by the 8-to-5 winner in a 7-1/2F turf race dominated by closers. Bet to win and place and play a 1-2-8 exacta box.Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 6#8 FOUR STAR GENERAL (2-1): First start for a tag, works encouraging, must avoid another awkward start.#3 REITERATION (5-1): Runner-up in 7 of 24 starts, ‘improved’ in $15k sprint last out, distance the question.#5 CONCHO’S PRAYER (3-1): Finished in money from on and off the pace in last pair at this level.Race Summary: FOUR STAR GENERAL romped to a long-distance maiden win at the Horseshoe 10 months ago. He was no serious threat in four allowance races since then, but if he runs to his comeback workouts and avoids a troubled start that has surfaced several times, he can run past this group. Bet to win and place and play 8-3 and 8-5 exactas.

EXTRA INCENTIVES10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Summer Sweep 5 (Gulfstream/Horseshoe Indy)1 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Gulfstream | $3 Players Late Pick 31 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Assiniboia Downs | late pick 4SPECIAL WAGERSSummer Sweep Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 6-7-8, Horseshoe Indy Races 3-4--$1 minimum, 15% takeout, no CAWNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | Thistledown | $222,725 | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | Assiniboia Downs | $142,427 | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ETKEY RACESAssiniboia Downs | Race 1 | 8:30 pm ET | Anderson StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXGulfstream | Race 6 | 2:54 pm ETPresque Isle Downs | Race 8 | 6:39 pm ETFort Erie | Race 7 | 7:18 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHSaffie Joseph Jr. | Gulfstream | 4 of 5 entrants 3-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Saratoga | field of 10 drawn for Saturday’s Travers, led by Golden Tempo, Renegade, Napoleon SoloPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Yonkers Raceway starts the week with a 10-race card. The $1.00 Pick 5 rolls in Race 5, and it has a $10,000 guaranteed pool. The Spot Plays could be played to win or in gimmicks and they are in Race 3, Race 4, and Race 6. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 3 (7:25 PM EDT)6-Ever Hoping A (3-1)-Beat this kind going gate to wire leaving from post 3 at 4/5. Should offer a better price here starting further out. Will look for a fair price with Jason Bartlett at the controls and he posts 36% winners for the Dilloian barn. Will respect chances to double up, the pedal will be down and has the gate speed to land on the point.Race 4 (7:45 PM EDT)3-Captinhammerhead A (9/2)-Sweet Beach Life (7) has owned this kind with 6 wins, plus snagged one a step below making it 7 straight. But someone has to end the spell and will lean toward the Scott Blackler veteran who ships in from M1. Raced well to finish 2nd in last and has hit the board in 4 of 5 at Yonkers with 2 pictures. Bartlett takes the lines and that shouldn't hurt. Has the gate speed to land a pocket ride behind the favorite. That trip could be good enough to win this at a square price.Race 6 (8:25 PM EDT)7-Effingham (6-1)-M1 shipper gets a ++ DC with Bartlett getting the nod. Makes its YR debut and should offer a solid price. Will use on the change in pilots and hopefully won't be bet hard. Bartlett does good work for the Aaron Lambert barn winning 5 of 8.Check me out on X!

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