Breeders’ Cup prep season is in full effect, with many horses either having made or about to make their final starts before the World Championships are held at Keeneland in October. 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 - 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 Whitney3 - Sovereignty (last week: 2)Maybe foolish to move him down a peg, but his unknown status due to the foot abscess has to be a concern; not sure he can afford any sort of hiccups if he’s to make the Breeders’ Cup4 - Knightsbridge (last week: 4)Devastated the G1 Pacific Classic, 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?DISTAFF1 - Nitrogen (last week: 1)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; 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 - Fully Subscribed (last week: 4)Secured her first career G1 in the Personal Ensign, earning a 106 Beyer in the process; she’s failed before when tested against the best but has never regressed at any point in her career on the Beyer scale…may be peaking at the right timeSPRINT1 - Englishman (last week: 1)The clear leader of the division after another devastating performance at Saratoga in the Allen Jerkens on Travers Day; Beyers of 115 and 117 as a 3YO entering the BC put him in rarified air for Cherie DeVaux2 - 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 - Deep Flame (last week: 4)If not for the boss this would be a G1 winner entering the BC Sprint with a 110 Beyer in his back pocket…unfortunately that 110 was only good enough to get him beat by nearly four-lengths; getting better and better as part of one of the best 3YO sprint crops we’ve seen in years4 - Book’em Danno (last week: 3)Unwilling to completely remove him just yet, but the tone from the connections would lead one to believe his Breeders’ Cup status is in questionFM SPRINT1 - Kilwin (last week: 1)Perhaps being a bit stubborn keeping her #1…didn’t think her second in the Ballerina was a bad effort, just ran into a horse for course and found herself way too far back early despite the hot pace; absolutely needs a step forward but hopefully that is still to come at Keeneland2 - 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 - Ways and Means (last week: 3)Disrespectful to have her this far down after a blowout win in a G1 at Saratoga? Maybe…still think she’s a different animal at the Spa v. Other venues; likely goes as the favorite for the FM Sprint in October off the 104 Beyer in the Ballerina4 - Mashallah (last week: 4)Another blowout victory, this time in the G3 Prioress; figs aren’t exactly improving but hard to argue with what she’s done when you watch her races…may end up being the “now” horseTURF1 - Tiffany (last week: unranked)Devastating victory in the KYD Turf Cup in her U.S. debut; 107 Beyer earned in that race has been the benchmark for BC Turf success over the past decade - a likely win candidate at Keeneland2 - Ethical Diamond (last week: 4)Credible second behind the filly on top in the KYD Turf Cup; connections seem very pleased with the run as a means to an end heading to Keeneland - a legit threat to repeat in the BC Turf3 - 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 12F4 - Burnham Square (last week: 1)Can’t rate him any higher after the disaster at KYD, but the intense heat that day may have been the excuse; if you still believe in him, you’ll wind up with a better price come BC SaturdayMILE1 - 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 over2 - Erdenali (last week: unranked)Set a Longchamp course record winning the G1 Prix du Moulin, humbling previous #1 rated Gstaad in the process; connections have stated the G1 Coolmore Mile at KEE would be next en route to the BC Mile3 - 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 luck. See him Saturday in Woodbine Mile4 - 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 moment. See him Saturday in Woodbine MileFM 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)Defeated for the first time in her career, finishing behind Aventure in a G1 at Deauville; soft ground may not have been to her liking - willing to give a mulligan3 - 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 - Stellify (last week: unranked)An all or nothing type at this point in her career…when she’s part of the early running, she’s very good; decimated a field in the Ladies Marathon at KYD, a course which she’s 3-for-3 overTURF SPRINT1 - Cy Fair (last week: 1)Nothing to be gleaned from her off the board effort at KYD; buried on the rail for duration of the run…draw a line through the race - her best is still elite2 - Bacio (last week: unranked)Devastating winning the G1 Nunthorpe at York 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 - Shisospicy (last week: 4)Difficult to say what to expect from her with the nonexistent campaign but know her best is as good as anyone’s4 - Possiblemente (last week: unranked)Put himself squarely in the mix with a strong victory in KYD Turf Sprint; versatile type in raging form for Joe SharpDIRT 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)Loses nothing in defeat finishing a gallant second in the Travers; coming up short in each of the past two would lead me to point to the Dirt Mile, but Classic remains an option for the connections3 - 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 last weekend @ MON - 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 | Parx | today’s racesNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $102,285 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $322,888 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETKEY RACESAssiniboia Downs | Race 3 | 9:25 pm ET | Osiris StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXThistledown | Race 1 | 12:50 pm ETHorseshoe Indy | Race 5 | 4:14 pm ETMountaineer | Race 1 | 7:00 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHPaul Barrow | Finger Lakes | 3 of 4 entrants 3-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Kentucky Downs | jockey Jose Ortiz | 4 wins, 3 secondsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $250, Get $25 | Kentucky Downs | today’s races$3,000 Exacta-Thon | Kentucky Downs | today’s racesSCHEDULE NOTESSaratoga, Del Mar, Colonial, Timonium, Emerald, Evangeline | closing day of meetTOURNAMENT TIME$2,000 Del Mar Closing Day Challenge | detailsFun in the Sun Final Table | $16K+ prize pool | qualifiers set | previewNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $98,079 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $52,080 | Monmouth | begins Race 3 | 1:49 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $315,161 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $89,692 (CAN) | Woodbine | begins Race 3 | 2:07 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $7,373 | Colonial Downs | begins Race 6 | 2:31 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | $104,692 (CAN) | Woodbine | Race 8 | 4:57 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $12,940 | Emerald Downs | begins Race 3 | 5:46 pm ETKEY RACESColonial | Race 6 | 2:31 pm ET | Rosie’s StakesColonial | Race 7 | 3:06 pm ET | Kitten’s Joy StakesColonial | Race 8 | 3:42 pm ET | Old Dominion OaksFinger Lakes | Race 7 | 3:49 pm ET | Arctic Queen StakesKentucky Downs | Race 7 | 4:00 pm ET | KD Juvenile Fillies StakesColonial | Race 9 | 4:18 pm ET | Old Dominion DerbyKentucky Downs | Race 8 | 4:36 pm ET | Lucky Lantern StakesFort Erie | Race 9 | 4:36 pm ET | Prince of Wales StakesSaratoga | Race 10 | 4:38 pm ET | Funny Cide StakesColonial | Race 10 | 4:52 pm ET | Colonial CupKentucky Downs | Race 9 | 5:10 pm ET | Gun Runner StakesSaratoga | Race 11 | 5:13 pm ET | Gio Ponti StakesColonial | Race 11 | 5:28 pm ET | Da Hoss StakesKentucky Downs | Race 10 | 5:45 pm ET | Mint Millions StakesKentucky Downs | Race 11 | 6:17 pm ET | Franklin-Simpson StakesDel Mar | Race 6 | 7:14 pm ET | I’m Smokin’ StakesAlbuquerque | Race 9 | 7:40 pm ET | All American Gold Cup (AQHA)Albuquerque | Race 10 | 8:15 pm ET | All American Futurity (AQHA)Del Mar | Race 9 | 8:44 pm ET | Mabee StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXKentucky Downs | Race 3 | 1:40 pm ETSaratoga | Race 8 | 3:28 pm ETColonial Downs | Race 9 | 4:18 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHBrad Cox | Kentucky Downs | 5 of 6 entrants 3-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Kentucky Downs | jockey Flavien Prat | 6 winsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Kentucky Downs Exacta-Thon PlaysScott Shapiro: Saratoga Monday Spot PlaysJeremy Plonk: Del Mar Monday Spot PlaysFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

It is hard to believe, but today marks Closing Day of the 2026 summer meeting at historic Saratoga Race Course. Racing on the New York Racing Association calendar will continue after a week off with the official opening of the newly renovated Belmont Park set for Friday, September 18. I will be covering the fall meeting when I return from a few days off of my own, but before we look ahead, it is time to focus on the 12-race card that gets started at 11:30 AM local time. Here are a few horses I like most on the day, including my top choice in the featured $200k Gio Ponti.Race 2:Trainer Chad Brown heads into Closing Day with a five-win lead over Linda Rice in the trainer standings. Brown sends out a strong 1-2-punch in this MSW event for 2YO fillies at six-furlongs over the main track with first-time starters #2 Ready Set Roll and #10 Heirsuta. Over the last 30 days, the Brown barn has sent out 17 2YO first-time starters in dirt sprints with five finding the wire first. One of those was Inalienable yesterday. The debut runner was hammered down to favoritism and won going away at odds of 8-5. Hopefully, the price will be twice as big on my top choice in this spot Ready Set Roll. The Upstart filly enters her first start after a long series of morning drills, mostly at Belmont Park. She is bred to win early being out of a Kantharos mare that has produced three foals prior to this gal. Two have won at first asking with one finishing second last summer at Horseshoe Indianapolis. She gets hot riding Manny Franco in the saddle and appears as live as anyone in this group at first asking.Play: #2 Ready Set Roll (3-1 ML)Picks: 2-3-10Race 7:Trainer Linda Rice is up against it to catch Chad Brown in the trainer standings, but has a shot to earn another victory in this six-furlong dash for 2YOs over the main track. #7 Dargham is a son of Army Mule that commanded $500k at the OBS March sale. The colt is out of a Speightstown mare that has produced three foals prior to this fella with one of them finding his way to the winner’s circle at first asking. Rice is not known for her prowess with juvenile firsters, but has proven capable with the right stock. She might have a fast one with this Kentucky-bred that comes in off a strong four-furlong breeze in 47.4 on August 30 and attracts Ricardo Santana Jr.Play: #7 Dargham (5-1 ML)Picks: 7-4-6Race 11: Gio PontiThe final stakes race of the meeting is this $200k race for 3YOs at one-mile over the Inner Turf where there does not appear to be that much early speed signed on. This should bode well for #7 Siyouincanada. The Joe Sharp trainee took advantage of a lone lead at odds of 16-1 on debut over the Churchill Downs grass, but has not had things quite as easy since shipping to New York to take on winners this summer. He was dueled into defeat in the Saranac on July 3 before being beaten to the front when encountering older runners for the first time in an allowance race over this course on August 6. The French-bred moves back into restricted 3YO company and should have the speed to control the tempo like he did on debut in Kentucky in late May. Kendrick Carmouche gets the leg up for the first time with Jose Ortiz set to ride at Kentucky Downs once again this afternoon.Play: #7 SiyouincanadaPicks: 7-4-8

The Labor Day racing weekend keeps working for you with the next-to-last card of the season at the 1/ST BET Kentucky Downs boutique turf meet. Monday’s main events include the $750K Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies in Race 7, the $1.75 million Gun Runner Stakes for sophomores in Race 9, the $2 million Mint Millions Invitational for milers in Race 10 and the $1.5 million Franklin-Simpson for 3-year-old sprinters in Race 11.The 1/ST BET and Xpressbet daily $3,000 Exacta-Thon continues. Be sure to register for your chance at the bonus cash with winning exactas ($2 minimum) in at least 3 of races.Kentucky Downs Race 2 | 1:05 pm ET#11 Pretty Patriotic (10-1 morning line) showed good speed while well-bet at 5-2 in her Ellis Park debut before fading. Bold placement by Tommy Drury instead of waiting for Churchill, and the Army Mule pedigree is what attracts me to this Kentucky Downs attempt. The sire is lights-out with his offspring locally, including a 5-1 winner here Sunday also via Ellis in the maiden ranks and a close-up 19-1 third-place finisher in stakes company Saturday. Win play and will use him with the experienced horses in the field and avoid the first-timers (debut runners just 17% in the exacta 11-65 at the meet).Exacta-Thon Play: Key-box 11 with 1,2,3,5,6Kentucky Downs Race 6 | 3:25 pm ET#8 My Stubborn Lassie (9-2 morning line odds) scratched off the also-eligible list Sunday at a mile and winds up in this 7-furlong spot over a trip at which she won last summer at KD. In a long line of Army Mule offspring who relish this course and I like that Ben Curtis has ridden her in all 4 starts at 4 different venues to date. Second start of the current form cycle, the same spot that produced last year’s win.Exacta-Thon Play: 8 over 3,12Kentucky Downs Race 11 | 6:17 pm ET#4 Oscar’s Hope (8-1 morning line odds) is a pure sprinter in a race loaded with milers cutting back in distance. He’s been effective on dirt and showed pace versatility last out at Saratoga when narrowly missing in the Mahony. Sire Twirling Candy’s offspring are fabulous at KD and he could take to it with a major chance.Exacta-Thon Play: 4 over 2,5,8,10,12

Closing day at Del Mar means mandatory payouts in all the pools (no major carryovers) and top west coast turf filly Thought Process a dominant choice in the featured Grade 2 John C. Mabee. Hope you’ve enjoyed the daily horses to watch and weekly featured full-card picks throughout the meet.Del Mar: Race 4 | 6:11 pm ET#4 Dottie Hinson (4-1 morning line odds) can keep yet another big closing week at Del Mar rolling for trainer Andy Mathis. He’s done it in the past and doing it this weekend with multiple wins. Winner over the track last summer never got to save a step last time from an outer draw and should be tighter today and should appreciate the extra distance. Picks 4-1-2Del Mar: Race 5 | 6:44 pm ET#2 Mo Bradley (12-1 morning line odds) is a potential price player from the aforementioned Andy Mathis barn and comes off a 10-month layoff. Long, strong workout tab since the very start of the meet for a barn that saves bullets for the end of Del Mar summer meet. Draws well to save ground. Picks: 2-7-3Del Mar: Race 10 | 9:14 pm ET#10 Joint Venture (6-1 morning line odds) was claimed for $20,000 just 15 days ago likely with an eye in the condition book to fit here. Steve Sherman trainee has been right there in 7 straight starts on dirt and the cut-back in distance might be enough to put him over the top after a recent runner-up at a mile. Picks 10-3-5-8

  Yonkers Raceway has a 9-race card with the $1.00 Pick 5 that has a $10,000 guaranteed pool rolling in Race 5. Tonight's Spot Plays are in Race 4, Race 5, and Race 7, and they could be used in Win Bets or Gimmicks. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 4 (7:45 PM EDT)4-Sweethomealabama N (8-1)-Drops to a level where a win can happen and might be overlooked. The Corey Stratton veteran isn't having a great year but has been in the mix at the wire against this kind. Jordan Stratton should have the pedal down and could pop at a price if the trip works out. At this price, could be used in gimmicks as well.4-5-6Race 5 (8:05 PM EDT)5-Topville Somebeach (3-1)-Won 3 straight versus 30k claimers and then stepped up to face this kind and drew post 7. Was used to get the 2 hole and finished that way in a quick mile. Won't be 15-1 with this post draw but should offer a solid price. Gets some post relief and could return to winning ways.5-3-4Race 7 (8:45 PM EDT)6-Forward Flash (6-1)-This is another that should be a good price and this race could set up nicely for the 4-year-old. Has the gate speed to get a good early seat and the fractions should be honest. Jim Marohn could push the button at the right time and be the best down the lane. Does good work at Yonkers winning 6 of 21 races. Best to respect, in 2026 has hit the board 13 times in 18 starts with 6 pictures.6-1-2Check me out on X!

Monday’s $16,367.50 Xpressbet Fun in the Sun handicapping contest Final Table matches 34 individual entrants with 6 players earning two seats in the Saratoga and Del Mar season finale. Players earned their seats in the Final Table by placing top-5 in one of the 8 qualifying weeks while also playing for weekly prize money.Contestants once again compete over the final 5 races at Saratoga and the first 5 races at Del Mar in a series of $10 win bets each race through the parimutel system on the Xpressbet platform.The Labor Day finale features 2025 Fun in the Sun champion Andy Muhlada in a bid to become the contest’s first repeat winner since converting to its current format in 2020. Muhlada punched his ticket early with a Week 2 fifth-place finish to secure a spot at the Final Table.Six players earned double entry into the finale, including Bryan Ingram, whose Week 6 bankroll of $374.10 was the highest-scoring week on the season. He qualified again the following week with a fifth-place Week 7 performance. Other dual qualifiers were George Scott, Terrence Severson, Dave Nichols, Greg Calliwag and Week 8 winner Joseph McKay.Ingram and McKay are the only daul-qualifiers to win 1 of the weekly competitions. Other weekly winners included John Velguth, Thomas Carroll, Ellis Starr, Franco Pacione, Cheryl Knepper and Richard Miller.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).Final Table Prizes$6,367.50 (30% 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 PoolFun in the Sun Final Table Qualifiers** Ingram Bryan ($374.10) | Week 6 | 1 + ($271.40) | Week 7 | 5Knepper, Cheryl ($358.50) | Week 5 | 1** Scott, George ($356.10) | Week 6 | 2 + ($239.00) | Week 4 | 3Bassett, Joseph ($347.80) | Week 5 | 2Starr, Ellis ($345.0) | Week 3 | 1Campanella. Frank ($336.80) | Week 6 | 3Miller, Richard ($335.30) | Week 7 | 1Velguth, John ($333.50) | Week 1 | 1** Severson, Terrence ($330.50) | Week 1 | 2 + ($236.20) | Week 4 | 4Danner, Jeffrey ($329.60) | Week 7 | 2Gold, Aaron ($322.90) | Week 6 | 4Woodward, Nathan ($319.30) | Week 1 | 3Skotz, Christopher ($308.00) | Week 6 | 5Carroll, Thomas ($297.80) | Week 2 | 1Wolfson, Stephen ($287.40) | Week 7 | 3Levine, Stuart ($273.00) | Week 5 | 3** Caliwag, Greg ($272.80) | Week 7 | 4 + ($209.40) | Week 4 | 5Nagy, Nicholas ($271.20) | Week 1 | 4Sampo, Dino ($268.00) | Week 5 | 4** McKay, Joseph ($265.90) | Week 8 | 1 + ($243.70) | Week 4 | 2Pacione, Franco ($264.20) | Week 4 | 1DeCaspers, Anthony ($261.00) | Week 5 | 5Grau, Peter ($245.50) | Week 8 | 2Rotell, Joe ($241.10) } Week 8 | 3** Nichols, Dave ($240.00) | Week 1 | 5 + ($234) | Week 3 | 2Scott, George ($239.00) | Week 4 | 3Hill, Barry ($237.30) | Week 2 | 2Dodds, Wardell ($236.90) | Week 2 | 3Kaufman, Craig ($231.60) | Week 8 | 4Essig David ($216.90) | Week 2 | 4Murdock, Dave ($184.00) | Week 3 | 3Muhlada, Andy ($176.90) | Week 2 | 5 (2025 FITS Defending Champion)Knepper, Greg ($175.60) | Week 3 | 4Salerno, Theresa ($169.50) | Week 3 | 5