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6.7.2026:

1/ST POST: Why Play Today? Sunday, June 7, 2026

By Xpressbet

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6.7.2026:

Scott Shapiro: Belmont Racing Festival Sunday Picks/Analysis

By Scott Shapiro

Sunday marks the fifth and final day of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival after Golden Tempo won his second Triple Crown race in last-to-first fashion under jockey Jose Ortiz. Today is not quite the same stakes-laden card as yesterday, but does include a pair of graded stakes. Here are the horses I like most to close things down until summertime at Saratoga.Race 6:This 2YO MSW event at 5.5-furlongs over the main track goes through second-time starter #9 Booked. The Yaupon colt went off the even-money favorite in his debut at Churchill Downs in late April before being shuffled back along the inside early, but rallying late to earn second. The move off the inside to an outside draw and the invaluable racing experience is likely to move the Steve Asmussen trainee forward, but the same can be said for #6 Beach Sandals. The Gary Barber homebred broke sharp, led early, and tired late to finish second in his debut in mid-May in Louisville. He lacked energy late in that first start, but that is certainly not a problem Mark Casse trainees have had this week in Saratoga Springs. In fact, the veteran conditioner won three Grade 1 events between Friday and Saturday. Beach Sandals could be set for big improvement as Johnny V takes over riding duties.Play: #6 Beach Sandals (6-1 ML)Race 7:This optional claimer at 1 1/16-miles over the Inner Turf kicks off the late Pick 5 where #3 Gene and Jude looks like he should get a perfect trip after an easy win against non-winners of two foes at Churchill Downs in late April. The son of Kitten’s Joy was claimed last June by trainer Mike Maker and since then has hit the board in 3 of 5 starts, including his second career victory last out. The start before he went to the bench in December, Gene and June saw a trip limited by traffic issues, but that was not the case in Louisville when jockey Flavien Prat got the gelding into a favorable forward position and proved much best late. He meets a tougher group this afternoon, but should be poised for the class hike given his upside still and likely voyage.Play: #3 Gene and Jude (7-2 ML)Race 11:The final race of the festival is this 6.5-furlong state-bred MSW event at 6.5-furlongs. #11 Irish Goodbye was made the 5-2-ML favorite by oddsmaker David Aragona after a pair of runner-up efforts as a 2YO for trainer Brad Cox. The Cairo Prince colt is obviously capable of beating this group, but at the same time is likely to be an underlay. So, I will try to beat him with #4 King Farro. The Robert Falcone Jr. trainee came back off a near 6-month break on May 10 at Aqueduct at one-mile where he was down on the rail in a tussle on a day where the outside was the better place to be. After shaking off the rust on the wrong part of the track last month, the son of King for a Day cuts back in distance and attracts Kendrick Carmouche. I like his chances to put forth a career best run to close the card.Play: #4 King Farro (4-1 ML)

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6.7.2026:

Jeff Bratt: Woodbine Sunday Full-Card Picks

By Jeff Bratt

Woodbine's Sunday action features a 10-race card that gets underway at 1 pm ET. The $125,000 Queenston Stakes goes as Race 8 as Coronation Futurity runner-up Military Time marches toward a possible King's Plate appearance this summer. Get 10X 1/ST Rewards Points on all wagers today for Woodbine when you bet with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet.Here are the full-card picks from Woodbine racing analyst Jeff Bratt:R1: 5-6-3-1R2: 7-6-10-5R3: 4-2-3-1R4: 2-4-3-1R5: 4-1-7-3R6: 7-5-8-1R7: 4-7-2-9R8: 5-1-3-2R9: 10-5-1-7R10: 4-9-3-8-5

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6.7.2026:

Scott Shapiro: Churchill Downs Spot Plays | Sunday, June 7, 2026

By Scott Shapiro

The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga took center stage this week, but do not snooze on the strong 9-race card this afternoon at historic Churchill Downs. The slate is headlined by the $500,000 Matt Winn (G3) for 3YOs at 1 1/16-miles over the main track. Here are the horses I like most on the afternoon, including my choice in the featured event.Race 3:My first play of the day comes in this MSW event at 7-furlongs over the main track where I am against the two ML favorites. 5-2-top choice #9 Penalty Box has had 6 chances, including three at under 9-5 and still has yet to get to the wire first. The move outside, time off, and cutback all could benefit the son of Violence, but he still is not for me. #1 Embry Show has more upside after just two starts for Bob Baffert, but has underwhelmed in both. He is likely to take quite a bit of public support due to his connections and his recent runner-up effort over this track. I will try to beat them both with #3 Time to Strike. The Not This Time colt moved into the Mark Casse barn this year after two starts as a 2YO for Tom Amoss. The first start was a mid-pack fourth going two-turns over the grass before a speed and fade effort against a much saltier field on Kentucky Derby Day. He has not proven yet that he can run fast early and still have energy late, but I am hopeful he is ready to do just that in his third start off the break.Play: #3 Time to Strike (6-1 ML)Race 4:The pace should be contentious in this second-level allowance at 6-furlongs over the main track given the presence of #1 Me and Molly McGee, #4 Rojo Rita, and #7 Cut to the Chase. This should bode well for #8 Strong State. The daughter of Tom’s d’Etat has not raced since last November when she broke slowly from the inside in a five-horse field and really had no chance with the winner making an easy lead and coasting him to victory. She certainly has soundness issues of some sort based on how she has been handled by veteran conditioner Al Stall, Jr, but when she has run, she has a shown a solid turn of foot. If they go at it on the front end, it should be jockey James Graham with a lot of horse when they turn for home. Hopefully, the bargain basement $18,000 Keeneland January 2023 purchase has a strong late run in her good enough to get the money.Play: #8 Strong State (6-1 ML)Race 8: Matt Winn (G3)The connections of #7 Further Ado (pictured) were hoping they would be celebrating a Belmont Stakes win yesterday after a Kentucky Derby victory five weeks ago, but the impressive winner of the Blue Grass (G1) did not run particularly well in the “Run for the Roses”. Trainer Brad Cox opted to send Commandment to Saratoga and keep this Gun Runner colt home where he has been made the even-money favorite by oddsmaker Nick Tammaro. I understand the price, but am unwilling to swallow the chalk since he simply has been awesome in two starts at Keeneland and just solid otherwise. His price is just too short to take against a solid bunch.#3 Pavlovian intrigues a little being potentially loose on the lead under Luis Saez, but I am going back to #6 Taptastic. The Tapit colt let me down as a single on Derby Day, but did not have the right trip at all. The winner in the undercard allowance event rode the rail on the lead, while Taptastic was caught 3 wide throughout. Jose Ortiz is back in town to ride after his triumph in the Belmont and has been riding as well as anyone in a long time. Hopefully, he figured out this well-bred colt last time and gets him by the speeds in the lane at a solid price.Play: #6 Taptastic (9-2 ML)

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6.7.2026:

Al Cimaglia: Northfield Park Late Pick 4 Analysis | Sunday, June 7, 2026

By Al CImaglia

Northfield Park Has a 15-race card and the $1.00 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 11. The sequence has a $10,000 guaranteed pool with a 14% takeout and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 11 (9:40 PM EDT)5-Fun To Love N (3-1)-Comes off a taxing trip and faded versus this kind. Misses a start and maybe the time off will help. Raced well in 2 of 3 starts at this level and will look for a rebound.6-Coz Im Special (25-1)-This price shot is interesting, has the gate speed to get a good early seat and has battled against this kind before. Needs a trip but is worth a swing at this price.8-Sweet Illousion (2-1)-Consistent player at this level as long as the trip isn't too bumpy. Will look for Dan Noble to push the button at the right time and to take control early on.Race 12 (10:02 PM EDT)2-Sea Rose (7-1)-John Ciocca gets the call tonight and that driver change could make a difference. Won the last time this pilot steered on 4-18. Got on the engine and didn't look back versus better. Well worth a swing at this price with this post draw, and will fade the 2-1 chalk #1, who is 0-18.4-Ponda Model (5-1)-Recent form has been dull and is only 1-24 at Nfld. Wouldn't want a short price but there are no standouts in the field. Dan Noble does well for trainer Kent Sherman albeit with a small sample of 8 drives.7-Plays Pro (7-1)-Shipped in, dropped in the last start, and faded off a wide trip in the slop. This race is a taffy pull, and Jason Thompson could get a decent seat when the wings fold. The price is right to use against this field.Race 13 (10:24 PM EDT)1-Delight Kate (3/2)-Comes off a win against the same, Noble sticks and draws the rail. That adds up to a tiny price. Isn't a lock but needs to be used and will be rolling when the wings fold.9-Madisons Angel (9/2)-Odds on choice burned money in last and came 3rd. One-move type finished a close 2nd from post 9 on 4-18. Could follow the rail horse off the gate and get a trip out win.Race 14 (10:46 PM EDT)3-Dancin Suzy (5/2)-Has won 2 of 3 but faded badly in last and money didn't really show. Moves in a couple of slots, Noble sticks, and could rebound against mostly a different field.8-Goodnight Dance (7/2)-Started from the rail and won nicely off a pocket ride in the same race as the one above. This will be the 2nd consecutive race on Lasix and has 3 wins in 13 starts at Nfld. Won last time at 3/2 and this post draw should mean a better price tonight.$1.00 Late Pick 45,6,8/2,4,7/1,9/3,8Total Bet=$36Check me out on X!

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6.6.2026:

1/ST POST: Why Play Today? Saturday, June 6, 2026

By Xpressbet

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6.4.2026:

Scott Shapiro: Belmont Stakes Saturday Full-Card Selections / Analysis

By Scott Shapiro

After months of following these young 3YOs and analyzing what took place on the first Saturday in May, we have made it to Belmont Stakes Day at Saratoga. The featured event drew an extremely strong group led by the top two finishers in last month’s Kentucky Derby. The third jewel of the Triple Crown goes as Race 13 on a star-studded 14-race extravaganza that kicks off at 11AM eastern.The big day of stakes action also is the second day for our $20,000 Exacta-Thon promotion. 10k is up for grabs both Friday and Saturday with the goal of connecting on as many $2 exactas as possible. Those who connect on six over a given card will split $8,000. Those who connect on the most will split an additional $2k! This is a $10k offer per day, so it is an obvious no brainer. Just remember to register!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: XUse: 4 Cold SpellForecast: #4 Cold Spell was made the 3-5-ML favorite by oddsmaker David Aragona. The Lael Stables filly was beaten out of the gate and out finished by a Brendan Walsh runner that posted a massive number when taking advantage of a good rail on debut. Regression is likely for this Wesley Ward trainee, but she should beat this group relatively easily if she puts in anything close to her runner-up effort at Keeneland on April 23. Johnny V is back onboard.Race 2:Grade: B+Use: 3 Life and TimesForecast: This optional claimer at 7-furlongs over the main track might be bet like a two-race between #3 Life and Times and #9 Senior Officer. I much prefer Life and Times. The son of Justify got off to a late start to his career for Todd Pletcher, but ran two big races going one-turn in New York to end 2025. Pletcher gave him a shot versus graded stakes company in the Fred Hooper (G3) where he battled along the inside with Knightsbridge on a day when you wanted to be outside at Gulfstream Park. I can easily forgive his third-place effort when stalking and tiring going a route of ground in the New Orleans Classic (G2), especially since he is getting back to his preferred trip. The class relief and lack of serious early speed should make Life and Times tough to deny.Race 3:Grade: B-Use: 9 Candytown; 5 Bonus MoveForecast: The first favorite I am against on Belmont Day is #8 Intellect in this allowance route over the Inner Turf. The son of Galileo has been consistent, but it has not led to any victories since shipping into North America. He has burnt quite a bit of money along the way, including last time out when he had every shot and was no match late. I will use two against the chalk. #9 Candytown has the most upside. The Calumet Farm homebred makes his first start as a 4YO for Todd Pletcher after winning 2 of 6 on the grass as a 3YO, including a win over this course last summer. Irad Ortiz takes the call for the first time. #5 Bonus Move intrigues at a big price. The son of Twirling Candy has been given time since being beaten out of the gate and failing to fire in a very strong allowance in Florida. Paco Lopez could have the first-time gelding loose on the lead.Race 4:Grade: C+Use: 4 Speightful LilyForecast: I lack confidence in most of this first-level allowance group, so I will take a small swing with #4 Speightful Lily. The Union Rags mare has not raced in over a year and has a spotty work tab, but attracts Flavien Prat for her first start since last April. The ability was there prior to the break, so she can spring the upset if set for her best.Race 5:Grade: C+Use: 2 Eponine; 3 CarmensitaForecast: This first-level allowance is one of the races I will likely use to catch a break since I just do not have much of an opinion. That said, I have two fillies I prefer over the rest. #2 Eponine comes in for new trainer Kevin Attard after a steady series of drills at Woodbine. She did not disgrace herself in her lone Stateside start last summer and should get a favorable trip. #3 Carmensita will be a huge price for a barn that is red-hot of late. Trainer Horacio De Paz picked up where he left off at Aqueduct to start the festival. This filly is a huge question mark making her first start in North America, but getting beat by her seems silly.Race 6:Grade: B+Use: 14 Gun Range; 8 Sea Strike; 1 Playa Del MarForecast: The non-stake I am looking forward to most is this first-level allowance event at 6.5-furlongs where I am against 5-2-ML favorite #5 Local Knowledge. This Yaupon colt won nicely on debut versus a salty field of 2YOs at Keeneland, but things have not gone as expected since. They were supposed to bring him back in November at Gulfstream Park, but he was scratched and has not been seen since. He is obviously capable, but will be an underlay win or lose. Three of the other logicals make sense to me with a preference to #14 Gun Range. The Wesley Ward runner was caught wide throughout on a day where the inside was the place to be at Keeneland and still won going away. He draws to the far outside, but that does not concern me too much in this spot. Hopefully, it helps his price a touch.Race 7: Just a Game (G1)Grade: B-Use: 2 Sandtrap; 3 SegestaForecast: Trainer Chad Brown has won this Grade 1 at one-mile over the Inner Turf a record eight times, including four in a row. I have no desire in trying to beat his uncoupled entry this year, but do slightly prefer 3-1 #2 Sandtrap to the 7-5-top choice #3 Segesta. She was dominant against much lesser in her first start off an 18-month layoff. If she moves forward, she can out finish her more accomplished stablemate.Race 8: True North (G3)Grade: B-Use: 2 ImaginationForecast: #3 Bentornato and #6 Book’em Danno bring massive resumes into this year’s True North, but I wonder if we can expect the best out of either of them. Bentornato makes his first start since returning from Dubai for a barn that has not had their normal success through the first five months of 2026. Book’em Danno had been on the sidelines since last summer and did not seem quite himself in the Carter (G2). I am unwilling to endorse either of these runners at their likely off odds. On the other hand, it could present some value with #2 Imagination. Trainer Bob Baffert has been hot of late and this $1.05M purchase did nothing to disgrace himself when turned away mid-stretch by a monster run from T.O. Elvis on Derby Day. I trust him most to fire his best shot.Race 9: Jaipur (G1)Grade: B-Use: 8 John the Beer Man/10 My Boy Prince; 3 Litigation; 6 Ag Bullet; 1 Governor Sam; 7 Clock TowerForecast: As you can see, there are a lot of runners I give a chance to win this year’s Jaipur, but I am willing to gamble on #8 John the Beer Man. The More Than Ready gelding has to prove he can be as good without Lasix, but should be able to make the lead in a race that does not have a ton of early speed on paper. He has been dominant in two starts since new trainer Rob Atras cut him back to a sprint and has the right man aboard to win on the front end.Race 10: Woody Stephens (G1)Grade: XUse: 6 Crude Velocity/7 EnglishmanForecast: In a race that may have the best 3YO in the country, #6 Crude Velocity aims to get past #7 Englishman in back-to-back races. Last time, the two heavyweights threw it down in the Pat Day Mile (G2) with Crude Velocity pulling away late to make it 3 for 3 to start his career. NYRA attracted as strong of a group as possible to tackle the two colts, but in the end I think it comes down to these two again late. I wanted to make the case that the move outside for Englishman could give him a tactical edge, but it will likely to take some traffic issues to beat the Bob Baffert runner that has done everything right so far.Race 11: Met Mile (G1)Grade: XUse: 1 Nysos/ 7 JournalismForecast: In another race that shapes up as a clash between two titans, #1 Nysos, who makes his first start since a runner-up effort to Forever Young in the Saudi Cup (G1) in late February takes on last year’s Preakness (G1) winner #7 Journalism. Journalism lost little in defeat in the Oaklawn H (G2) and has always been pointed to this race, but could be last early on the cutback. I expect him to fire his best shot, but not be good enough to run down Nysos. The son of Nyquist has never run anything remotely close to a poor race. In fact, his two losses are to Forever Young by a length overseas and in the race of 2025 to Mindframe by a neck. The rail draw does not concern me at all.Race 12: Manhattan (G1)Grade: B-Use: 6 Bright Picture/3 Make Me KingForecast: #7 Rhetorical was dominant last out in the Turf Classic (G1) and has three wins at Saratoga already, but faces a much taller task in this 1 3/16-mile event over the sod. I do not follow international racing nearly as much as many of my colleagues, but I know two things. #6 Bright Picture comes out of better races overseas and is conditioned by one of the best trainers around. Legend Andre Fabre legs up Flavien Prat. Bright Picture will be a handful if he brings his “A” game.Race 13: Belmont (G1)Grade: B+Use: 8 Emerging Market; Renegade/2 Powershift; 3 Chief Wallabee; 6 Growth EquityForecast: The Belmont may be at 1 1/4-miles, not the traditional 12-furlong distance at Big Sandy, but this race came up as good as one could have hoped. A lot of horses have shots to win or hit the board due to the depth of the group, but I thought #8 Emerging Market was my Belmont horse prior to the first weekend in May and see no reason to modify that opinion. He did not finish well at all in the Derby, but no one towards the front did. In terms of the Kentucky Derby, he had a clean trip, but there were multiple points in the race where the lightly-raced colt had to be used at some level. He was not close to good enough that day, but got incredible experience. The outside draw and smaller group at Saratoga is likely to lead to a much less stressful voyage. I am excited to go back to him in this year’s Belmont Stakes. If Emerging Market runs first or second with Renegade, it will be a fun time. If we can get #2 Powershift or #6 Growth Equity into the number, my neighbors will hear me.Race 14:Grade: C+Use: 8 ElnajdForecast: The card concludes with this first-level allowance over the grass where I will try #8 Elnajd. The Shadwell Stable colt tries the green for the first time. He is bred on the bottom side to thrive routing over the lawn, has shown talent already, and has the right man in the saddle to make his first turf try a winning one.

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6.4.2026:

Belmont Stakes Festival: Jeremy Plonk's 2-Day Special Wagers

By Jeremy Plonk

The Belmont Stakes Festival includes a pair of 2-day special wagers connecting Friday and Saturday stakes at Saratoga. The 2-day all-turf pick 5 and the 2-day all-dirt pick 6 add to a stuffed wagering menu. Because I’m not an everyday NYRA player – due to an inability to be successful there over the years on several attempts at the daily product – these additional stakes-only wagers offer a lot of appeal to my handicapping interests and abilities. For more Belmont Stakes coverage, access the free 1/ST Belmont Stakes Wager Guide.Let’s get to work.2-Day All-Turf Pick 5 (50-cent minimum, 15% takeout)Friday Saratoga Race 9: Wonder Again Stakes#8 Lion Lake is solidly favored at 7-5 morning line, but has a history of burning money and picks up weight while not having that major of an advantage to give away. She’s making her sixth straight start in her form cycle and that doesn’t often provide any major improvement. I’ll swing against her to start the sequence and go with #2 Fitz Right and #5 Time to Dream. The former is moving the right direction and gets tested for more class while the latter was a dynamo over this course last year and perhaps can reawaken with a trip to her favored course.Friday Saratoga Race 11: New York StakesAt 10-1 morning line, sign me up for #6 Cankoura at anywhere near that price. The French Oaks third-place finisher last year makes her second start off the vacation and first trip stateside. Everything about her screams this 1-3/16 miles trip against a modest American group. #9 Gezora changes barns (to Bill Mott) after a public breakup between owner Peter Brant and former trainer Chad Brown. There’s no doubt the reigning Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner can bounce back from her defeat on Derby Day when considering her prior French form.Saturday Saratoga Race 7: Just A Game StakesThe ledger for #3 Segesta (7-5 morning line favorite) looks outstanding historically, but my evaluation of the First Lady, Matriarch and Jenny Wiley is that those 3 Grade 1 races didn’t come up nearly as strong as some recent years. While she could just be in super form and ready to add another, her sixth-place effort in this race last year in her only start at the Spa raises additional concern. Let’s try to topple Segesta with #4 Mandanaba and her Chad Brown stablemate #2 Sandtrap. The French invader Mandanaba kept exceptional company lines oversees and got a perfect tune-up for her 4-year-old debut at Longchamp. Sandtrap could be next in line of a long series of Lope de Vega offspring to become stars under Chad Brown’s care. #8 Deep Satin is 12-1 morning line for the Kentucky Derby combo of Cherie DeVaux and Jose Ortiz and this filly has run her best races at Saratoga. Perhaps she wakes up at a price as we’ve seen this barn have some big undercards on major racedays.Saturday Saratoga Race 9: Jaipur StakesLast year’s 1-2 Jaipur finishers, #6 Ag Bullet and #10 My Boy Prince, absolutely make for logical considerations here and are in the hunt. Same goes for #5 Reef Runner, who has developed into a turf sprint ace for David Fawkes and takes his game anywhere he goes. But don’t sleep on 15-1 morning line longshot #1 Governor Sam for an elite turf sprint trainer in George Waever and an elite turf sprint jockey in Paco Lopez. Speed, rail and stellar marks over the course and distance are all in his favor. Let’s roll 4-deep here and get some intra-race action in the win and exotics with Governor Sam.Saturday Saratoga Race 12: Manhattan StakesThe mile and three-sixteenths distance of the Grade 1 Manhattan will be a huge test for the American players here, many of whom have starred at shorter trips and / or failed to come home with much zest late in previous tries. That conspires to make the internationally accomplished #6 Bright Picture an absolute standout. French legend Andre Fabre doesn’t bring many to America these days, but he ships this Group 2 winner and Group 1 recent runner-up into a great situation at a distance right in his sweet spot. Pair him with local ace stakes pilot Flavien Prat and there’s not even the overseas rider concerns to mount.The Ticket: All-Turf Pick 52,5 with 6,9 with 4,2,8 with 1,10,6,5 with 6 = $24 for 50 cents//2-Day All-Dirt Pick 6 (20-cent minimum, 15% takeout)Friday Saratoga Race 10: Acorn StakesA compact field of 5 makes for weak in-race betting of the 1-1/8 miles Acorn as 4 Kentucky Oaks alumnae re-match. #5 Always a Runner was our top-pick winner in Louisville and the lightly raced filly has yet to be beaten. But if she takes any flattening or regression in form, #3 Meaning has proven her California talent on the road and could sit a dynamite, first-over trip behind the race’s likely longshot leader #4 Maximum Offer. I’ll go 2-deep here with the top-2 morning line choices.Friday Saratoga Race 12: Phipps StakesMorning-line favorite #5 Nitrogen’s best races have been at Saratoga, but I’m not sure the chalk made any significant leap forward from age 3 to 4 this winter/spring at Oaklawn. I’ll try to beat her with #1 Fully Subscribed and #3 Alpine Princess. There’s not a lot of pace in this race and 9-furlong heats at the Spa start near the clubhouse turn, giving inside pace an edge. I’m anticipating Flavien Prat and Irad Ortiz Jr. on these couple of chances drawn inside to take advantage.Saturday Saratoga Race 8: True North StakesLike we’ll see in the Met Mile, a couple of standout horses at the head of the toteboard will be difficult to separate and even more difficult to topple. #3 Bentornato clearly would be the horse to beat here at 6 furlongs; #6 Book’em Danno likely owns the True North if at 7 furlongs. That they’ll clash over 6-1/2 furlongs makes this such an interesting matchup. Bentornato flashes early, Book’em Danno late. No shame in splitting this ticket. If you wanted to add a price consideration #8 Illuminaire (10-1 ML) highly impressed me at Keeneland and should love the distance, but gets the ultimate class test against the nation’s 2 best sprinters. I think he’s worth the upside in price projection if he pulls it off.Saturday Saratoga Race 10: Woody Stephens StakesSimilar to the featured Belmont Stakes, quality options abound in this 3-year-old showcase for sprinters. #6 Crude Velocity is the single-or-spread option here, but you’re settling for 8-5 morning line if taking the former approach and I don’t see big prices abounding throughout this sequence. My approach will be to get some coverage even against this standout performer because the alternatives are high-quality and you’re not just going fishing for something that’s not there. #2 Obliteration, #7 Englishman, #8 Civil Liberty, #1 Gilded Bandit, #5 Solitude Dude and #3 Six Speed also are in play and can help drive up the payouts (listed in order of preference).Saturday Saratoga Race 11: Metropolitan HandicapA strong either-or with #1 Nysos and #7 Journalism gets you most of the way home in terms of confidence in the Met Mile. You get one who should be near the pace and one as the strongest finisher. Those complimentary running styles make for a good 2-deep, even if accepting the fact that they’re favorites. A strong lean one way or the other certainly helps your budget spend elsewhere or double the ticket strength, and I’d go with Journalism if having to make that differentiation.Saturday Saratoga Race 13: Belmont StakesIn what looks like a classic, single-or-spread situation, the Belmont Stakes is at least 5-deep with legitimate win contenders that don’t offer a lot of separation. I’ll take the road less traveled and single my top pick, #7 Commandment, who could be between 6-1 and 10-1 odds. He was given a panicked ride in the Kentucky Derby and now switches to John Velazquez, Saratoga’s all-time leading jockey with more than 1,000 local wins. He’s not the most likely winner in the sequence but offers me the most value to spread in other legs and make the best score if I’m right.The Ticket: All-Dirt Pick 65,3 with 1,3 with 3,6,8 with 6,2,7,8,1,5,3 with 7,1 with 7 = $33.60 for 20 cents

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