The new racing week at Saratoga Race Course begins in style since no horseplayers were able to piece together the $1 Pick 6 on Sunday afternoon. This leaves us with $192,498 in the traditional Pick 6 heading into a nine-race Wednesday card that begins with a steeplechase stakes event. The big money sequence kicks off shortly before 3PM eastern with Race 4. Here are a few horses I consider must uses over the final six races.Race 6:This full-field auction-restricted MSW event for 2YO fillies sprinting over the grass is likely to test Pick 6 players quite a bit that make it through the first two legs. A number of first-time starters have good chances, but I like a filly with experience most. #8 Sweet Grace was scratched off the also-eligible list in a similar spot on Sunday afternoon, but lands squarely in the body of this group. The Candy Ride filly was beaten out of the gate on debut on July 16, but showed professionalism from there relaxing kindly along the inside with a mid-pack position in the early stages. She put in a run trying to get to the easy winner that day, but tired mid-stretch and ended up finishing fifth. Trainer James Ryerson is 3 for 11 at the Spa dating back to the start of July with a massive $10.27 ROI and sends out a gal that holds the experience edge against the majority of her rivals. If she can find a better position early on, I expect jockey Christopher Elliott to make a strong run late at a fair ML price.Play: #8 Sweet Grace (6-1 ML)Picks: 8-4-5Race 7:This full-field state-bred MSW event for 2YOs over the main track is not much easier for horizontal players given the fact the 12 runners entered in the main body have three total races under their belt. Once again, I will endorse one of those with experience #4 In the Queue. The daughter of Honest Mischief drew in off the AE list for her debut last month, so she was drawn to the far outside with Dylan Davis in the saddle. In the Queue broke well and was right off the pace early on, but while being caught wide throughout. She battled with two rivals to her inside before understandably tiring badly late. Now, she returns to the races with a favorable start under her belt where she flashed good early speed, moves to an inside post, and attracts a better front-end rider for her second try in Luis Saez. Saez should have her involved early and hopefully tough to catch late at a square 8-1-ML offering.Play: #4 In the Queue (8-1 ML)Picks: 4-5-10Race 8:The Wednesday feature is this first-level allowance at 1 1/8-miles over the main track where I do not expect the pace to be too fast in the early stages. #3 Higher Force might be the aggressor, but #2 Hidden Rose should find a favorable prominent position on the backstretch like she did out of the Wilson chute on July 9. The Connect filly has yet to compete at nine-furlongs over the dirt, but finished strong two-back in a true two-turn race at Finger Lakes before a solid runner-up effort to heavy favorite Soaring High on July 9. The probable trip plus her ability to show tactical speed and still get the distance make her my top choice in the penultimate leg of sequence.Play: #2 Hidden Rose (3-1 ML)Picks: 2-1-7

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 Finger Lakes. Here’s how I’ll approach the card in New York with an assist from the Betmix Angler database.Finger Lakes Race 5 | 2:51 pm ET#3 America’s Justice (6-1 morning line odds) gets a price look for a small barn that got hot all of the sudden the past 2 weeks with $17 and $28 winners from just 3 starters after going 1-for-14 at the meeting prior. Race loaded with sprinters and stamina shouldn’t be an issue off an even-running effort. Win-place bet #3. Picks: 3-6-2Finger Lakes Race 8 | 4:18 pm ET#4 Plex (4-1 morning line odds) has crossed the line first in both career 2-turn races and exits a popular maiden breaker at an odds-on price. Natural rise in class here for a Dana Saul barn hitting 36% at the meet and jockey Jose Baez winning at 34%. Saul is 3-for-6 with local routers since July 8. Win bet #4. Picks: 4-1-5

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Finger Lakes | today’s races | Plonk's PicksNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $151,379 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 7 | 5:16 pm ETFairmount Park | Race 8 | 5:25 pm ETMountaineer | Race 3 | 7:50 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHPaul Barrow | Finger Lakes | all 4 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Thistledown | trainer Robert Cline | 3 wins, 1 second from 5 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

EXTRA INCENTIVES1 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Gulfstream | $3 Players Late Pick 310X 1/ST Rewards Points | Summer Sweep 5 | Gulfstream / Fort ErieSPECIAL WAGERSSummer Sweep Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 6-7-8, Fort Erie Races 1-2--$1 minimum, 15% takeout, no CAWNOTABLE CARRYOVERSMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $24,168 | Gulfstream Park | begins Race 3 | 1:22 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $145,812 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETKEY RACESGulfstream | Race 6 | 2:58 pm ET | In Summation StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXGulfstream Park | Race 8 | 4:00 pm ETFort Erie | Race 7 | 7:18 pm ETMountaineer | Race 2 | 7:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHRobert Cline | Thistledown | 4 of 5 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Mountaineer | favorites won 7 of 10 races on West Virginia Derby DayPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMBrian Nadeau: Gulfstream Park Full-Card Monday PicksFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Gulfstream Park's Monday action includes a mandatory payout in the Rainbow 6, which starts the day with a $24,168 carryover that track officials estimate will result in a pool in excess of $400,000. Horseplayers at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet can enjoy a 1 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split promotion on the $3 Players Late Pick 3 bet as well as 10X 1/ST Rewards Points when playing the Summer Sweep 5 today (which matches Gulfstream Races 6,7,8 to Fort Erie's Races 1 and 2.Race 1:It’s Best Bet time in the opener with 1 LORD HENRY, who ran well with trouble when a distant 2nd sprinting in his debut, is bred to run long, drew perfectly, and meets a weak group on paper. Both 4 MORE POWER TO YOU and 6 CARRIBEAN COMET will offer better prices, with the former stretching out and trying turf, while adding blinkers to an already speedy package, while the latter debuts with a slew of works for Biancone, who is sterling 35% first-turf. SELECTIONS: 1-4-6-3Race 2:If 6 BUNDALAY runs back to that neck 2nd in her Tapeta debut then the rest are all vying for the scraps, as it would be way too much for these to handle, though you are allowed to wonder if she doesn’t regress a bit. The main danger is dropper 1 SWEET TASTE, who didn’t fire running long on turf, but should certainly like this group better. The gap to the rest, including 2 LIONESS LILLIAN, seems a seismic one. SELECTIONS: 6-1-2-5Race 3:It sounds crazy, but that distant 7th for 35k two-back from 2 WORKINCLASSKID seemingly wins this, as no one else has done anything close to that, which makes him imposing on the drop. It looks like 7 HOLY COW woke up on turf and the freshening off the trainer switch to Tessore, so if he can keep it going, he’s a big threat, though his Tapeta runs weren’t much. No doubt 8 FLYING CHIEF wouldn’t have to be a monster to play with these, but it’s hard to win your debut on Tapeta at two turns, from a wide draw, no less. SELECTIONS: 2-7-8-1Race 4:Give credit to 4 TO JOEY for that MCL win, as he had to duel for 4 furlongs (with a rival who was later eased) before kicking clear, in an effort that was way better than the slow figure it earned, and one that might allow him to double up while facing winners. Getting back to dirt makes 3 SPIRIT OF THE LAW imposing, as that “fast”’ 2nd two-back wins this, though at 1-for-15 lifetime, he’s tough to take at a short price. Can’t see 5 NOBLE PRINCE winning this off his recent efforts, but they are enough to get him a piece. SELECTIONS: 4-3-5-2Race 5:There’s enough speed to give 1 EVIL EMPIRE a chance late, and that 2/6 turf run fits with these, so he can surprise for a hot Lerman barn. The pace will help 7 KINGSWEARCROWNS too, who drops slightly off a decent 5th in his turf debut as well. Not interested in a short price on 4 WHEELHOUSE while trying turf for Saffie, as he’ll be overbet with no edge, and was 0 for-4 on grass for previous connections. SELECTIONS: 1-7-4-3Race 6:Looking forward to see what 3 SUM OF SUCCESS does for an encore in the In Summation, as his debut win was wowzers after cleared early and widened for fun with a big figure, in an effort that might have only scratched the surface of his talents. Conversely, 2 AMERIAN ROADSTER stalked and pounced in a more workmanlike debut win, but any time a 2yo passes horses in their unveiling, it’s worth noting, and the pace will be to his liking today as well. The same can be said for 5 SPICY TACO, who settled and rolled over Florida breds, and is another who will get set up up front. SELECTIONS: 3-2-5-6Race 7:A race void of pace might allow 5 HELLO POOCHY LOU to get brave up front, as she dueled and tired last time, but should have to lay down :22-flat today. The works whisper ready for 1 FORGOTTEN ABOUT, who debuts for Fawkes with a sterling AM tab, though the rail and 7Fs are tough asks. Don’t sleep on 4 CAMBER, who ran well routing on turf in her debut for 35k and is bred to love the main track. SELECTIONS: 5-1-4-7Race 8:It’s Longshot time in the finale with 7 SPICY PRINCESS, who was a decent 4th off the break while facing older, and should be able to build off that effort, while facing no world beaters. That was some comeback from 3 DEFIANT LASS, who was rolling late in a neck loss, in what was her first start in 14 months, and first on turf and for Toner too, which makes her scary, while getting added ground too. No real knocks on 2 CITY MINUTE, who was 2nd to a repeat winner when last seen on turf, though she will be overbet for Saffie. SELECTIONS: 7-3-2-4Best Bet: R1: #1 Lord Henry (9-5)* Good 2nd with trouble in debut* Bred to relish the added ground* Meets a suspect group on paperLongshot: R8: #7 Spicy Princess (6-1)* Encouraging 4th in return, facing older* Still has upside, should be tighter today* No standouts on paper, keeps Herrera

Yonkers Raceway has a 9-race card. The 0.50 Pick 5 with a $10,000 guaranteed pool rolls in Race 5. The Spot Plays are in Race 2, Race 3, and Race 5. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 2 (7:05 PM EDT)1-Whats Stanley Got A (6-1)-This isn't the easiest horse to read. But deserves a long look from the inside against a group that is moving up and or not proven at this level. The veteran moves up off a big effort from post 8 and was aided by some quick fractions. Usually is in the mix at YR with an inside draw and does know how to beat this kind. #4 Finvarra at 6/5 is similar in some ways and loses Bartlett to an injury most likely. Would rather lean here at a better price with regular driver Jordan Stratton aboard and will rely on a big effort coming.Betting #1 Whats Stanley Got A to Win1-3-4Race 3 (7:25 PM EDT)4-Twin B Powerball (12-1)-After making 39 starts last year the 8-year-old has only raced 5 times in 2026. Has a win and a 2nd place finish but was put away in mid-February and made its return on 8-13 versus better. Started from post 7 and put in a no-move mile racing from the back of the pack. Comes right back and lands in a very competitive level if ready to go. Will fade the program chalk #7 Federer who is 7/5 and will likely be without Bartlett. Looking for a big price, and from a choice post will take a swing the Team Lachance entry will be dialed on high.Using #4 Twin B Powerball in a Win Bet4-5-7Race 5 (8:05 PM EDT)4-Black Hawk Joe A (6-1)-Rolled the 2nd half in 56.3 in last but it wasn’t enough after being 11-lengths back at the half. That was from post 7 and now starts in a prime slot. Beat this kind 2 back from another choice post and will look for that type of performance.Playing #4 Black Hawk Joe A to Win4-3-1Check me out on X!

EXTRA INCENTIVESWoodbine Mile Flyaway Sweepstakes | earn up to 4 entries todaySCHEDULE NOTESMountaineer | special 5 pm ET WV Derby Day twilight first postSPECIAL WAGERSSummer Sweep Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 6-7-8, Woodbine Races 6-7--$1 minimum, 15% takeout, no CAWTOURNAMENT TIME$500 Mountaineer WV Derby Day PWCBC Qualifier | details$100 Saratoga Feeder | details$80 Del Mar Feeder | details$40 Canterbury Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSSuper Hi 5 | $9,171 | Ellis Park | Race 1 | 12:50 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $25,516 | Del Mar | Race 9 | 9:10 pm ETPick 6 | $15,762 | Los Alamitos (AQHA) | begins Race 3 | 10:30 pm ETKEY RACESEllis Park | Race 4 | 2:16 pm ET | Ellis Park JuvenileEllis Park | Race 5 | 2:44 pm ET | Groupie Doll StakesEllis Park | Race 6 | 3:12 pm ET | Ellis Park DebutanteEllis Park | Race 7 | 3:42 pm ET | Ellis Park DerbyEllis Park | Race 8 | 4:12 pm ET | Audubon OaksEllis Park | Race 9 | 4:42 pm ET | Cowboy Jones StakesSaratoga | Race 8 | 5:09 pm ET | Troy StakesMountaineer | Race 7 | 7:30 pm ET | WV Governor’s StakesDel Mar | Race 6 | 7:40 pm ET | Sorrento StakesMountaineer | Race 8 | 7:55 pm ET | West Virginia Derby | Plonk: Race of WeekLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXColonial Downs | Race 1 | 12:30 pm ETWoodbine | Race 7 | 4:19 pm ETSaratoga | Race 10 | 6:19 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHBob Baffert | Ellis Park, Del Mar | all 6 entrants 4-1 or less odds (5 at 2-1 or less)DID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Del Mar | favorites won 7 of 10 races on the card (just 28% for meet)PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Sunday Spot PlaysJeremy Plonk: Del Mar Sunday Spot PlaysDustin Fabian: Mountaineer WV Derby Day Full-Card PicksBrian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Sunday's West Virginia Derby Day card at Mountaineer co-features the West Virigina Governor's Stakes in Races 7 and 8. First post is a twilight special 5 pm ET with 9 races slated. Horseplayers at Xpressbet, take part in the $500 Mountaineer West Virginia Derby Day Pegasus World Cup Betting Championship Qualifier handicapping tournament today.Race 1 (5:00PM ET)#9 Rock n’Opportunity (10/1): Gets class relief as part of the cross-state trek from Charles Town for 26% trainer Ronney Brown and benefits from outside stalking trip.#5 Victory Song (5/2): Charles Town invader has finished flat in a pair of 4.5f WV-bred MSWs cross state but is good enough to handle this bunch if he breaks well.#3 All Roads to Denis (8/1): At 0-for-39 is not a win contender but has 16 2nds and 3rds on the resume and ITM 4-of-5 tries at the distance.Notes: WV-bred MSW is a melting pot field, consisting of two first-time-starters, a pair of Charles Town shippers, and a trio that is 0-for-20+ locally. I’ll give the cross-state shippers a decided edge over the locals, who are led by a horse that tired badly going a furlong longer at 4/5-odds last out.Race 2 (5:25PM ET)#7 Back On Track (7/2): Has three blowout wins since moving to California to West Virginia and drew impeccably. Would consider this one a Pick 4 single, assuming #1 Silent Rule scratches.#6 Canadian Bear (5/1): Razor sharp filly ITM in 9 of her last 9 dating back to March. Doesn’t have the sizzle of the topic pick, but more than good enough to fill out exotics.#4 Mama Marge (4/1): Blowout local victory on July 13 was great and easy, but the water is much deeper here. Several speed players to her outside.Notes: Going to assume that Silent Rule scratches out of this spot for the $100K Best of Ohio stakes race he’s entered in on Saturday. If he runs here, he’s as formidable a 1/9 shot as you’ll find.Race 3 (5:50PM ET)#4 Leave Drama Behind (7/2): “Speed of the speed” put it all together in the N2X version of this race on July 27 and wheels back fast. Is a daughter of ’09 WV Derby runner-up, Big Drama.#1 Emily’s Joy (9/2): Daughter of ’16 WV Derby winner Cupid isn’t a fast starter, which is a big challenge in 5-furlong turf dashes. Best on paper, but needs great trip.#9 Artella (8/1): Midwest invader has won two straight, but both turf races (at route distances) were not good. Was dirt the key to better form? Or simply a cutback in distance?Notes: Not an overload of speed signed on for this 5-furlong turf dash, and thinking Indiana-invader Emily’s Joy is overbet from the rail. She’s best on paper but can’t afford to break at the back of the bunch. Local speedster Leave Drama Behind might be gone by the time she breaks free.Race 4 (6:15PM ET)#10 Beach Colt (12/1): The morning line feels like wishful thinking for this one, who knocked heads with Viking, Rolando, Jack’s Promise and others at Gulfstream over the winter.#6 Highly Flammable (10/1): Either of his races at Churchill in April/May were probably good enough to win this and may be a bit forgotten after a loss to much tough competition at Ellis.#1 Catch the Humor (9/2): Can tuck away inside plenty of speed to his outside and should come with a big kick. First time away from CT, so make sure value is fair.Notes: This race is a who’s who of some of the quickest horses at Mountaineer, but Gulfstream invader Beach Colt may be quickest of them all. If he runs as well here as he did in the Smile Sprint on July 4, they probably never get to him.Race 5 (6:40PM ET)#5 Sperry Chalet (5/2): Painful to pick an 0-for-16 ML favorite but shows two really strong local turf races on the resume. Catch her if you can.#1 Completely Elegant (20/1): Expect this one to get hammered off the 20/1 ML shipping in from Kentucky and with Johnny V in the irons. Plenty to love, despite finishing last in two-of-three races.#9 Red Drapes (15/1): Ran OK in two turf races at Laurel earlier this year, and the Jay Bernardini barn has been hot as they get locally of late. Wants to stalk the top pick.Notes: These horses don’t bring much in recent form, and many in here seem allergic to the passing lane, so going with the one that should be up front. Expect Completely Elegant to be a fraction of the 20/1 price off the company she’s kept.Race 6 (7:05PM ET)#9 Small Field (7/2): Mountaineer turf specialist is 2-for-3 locally and the stamina influence of damsire With Approval, 2nd in the ’90 BC Turf, doesn’t hurt. Expect him to be favored.#4 Royal Salute (5/2): Plenty of turf quality in the pedigree, including Kitten’s Joy, Dansili, and Oscar Performance in the immediate family. Is 2-for-2 locally for the Bernardini barn.#2 Blind Eye (6/1): Resume shows decent efforts at Monmouth, Laurel and Moutaineer on the lawn, but not sure the 1 3/4-mile distance suits as well as others.Note: 1 3/4 miles on the lawn is not a common distance on any circuit, so finding horses with penchant to marathon here is not easy. Going four turns, I expect the cream to rise to the top and this one appears to be between the two favorites.Race 7 (7:30PM ET) - $200K WV Governor’s Stakes#2 Bracket Buster (5/2): They’ve been picky finding the right spot for this one off the pine, but I think this 1 1/16 mile trip at Mountaineer should suit perfectly. Won the OK Derby in ’25 is tactical enough to handle these.#6 Hall of Fame (5/1): Worth a long look as this one gets back on Lasix for the first time in over a year. Recent form is questionable at best, but Asmussen and Team have made the walk to the MNR winner’s circle many times.#1 Neoequos (3/1): It has been a long time since this one won on the dirt, but he did win routing on turf at GP in January and his last three starts were all solid for Saffie. He should run well.Note: A few of these wouldn’t be a surprise, but thinking Bracket Buster and Hall of Fame are the ‘right’ two for the multi-race sequences. Priority is Bracket Buster, but Hall of Fame more than a capable runner on his best days.Race 8 (7:55PM ET) - $400K Grade 3 West Virginia Derby#4 J J Grey (2/1): Has quietly amassed a resume with four consecutive dirt wins dating back to March, all by at least 1 3/4-lengths. Can lead or stalk, which makes him a tactical handful for his rivals.#5 Zihnal (6/1): Ran evenly in the G3 Indiana Derby, but continues to improve for Jonathan Thomas and all three of his dirt races return big speed figs. Johnny Velazquez is named to ride.#6 Maximum Effort (9/2): Closed from the clouds to finish 3rd behind J J Grey in the Iowa Derby. Can’t pick a maiden up top, but he should fill in somewhere underneath.Notes: J J Grey is sharp, in-form and has the right tactical speed that is traditionally formidable in this race. Wayne’s Law is a complete wildcard to his outside, but adds blinkers and could set things up for a host of closers if he pushes the tempo quicker than ‘Grey wants to go.Race 9 (8:20PM ET)#9 Binging (5/1): Makes the cross-nation trek from Santa Anita to Mountaineer and the races he was running in SoCal over the winter would likely handle this bunch.#1 Mischievous Juan (10/1): White hot Juan Vazquez barn sends out this one. While just 1-for-11 locally, he should appreciate a return to a fast track and will be moving on late.#2 Crosstown Shootout (5/2): Veteran 10yo won a tougher race two back at Horseshoe Indy. Has finished 1st or 2nd in 30-of-65 races and even has two local scores back in 2021.Notes: Nightcap / getout race is a solid puzzle. I’ll land on the quality of the California shipper, but others in this group have been running well in Florida and Indiana. Binging is just 3-for-20 lifetime, but is 2-for-11 on the dirt and that February 28 race at Santa Anita would win this.Early Pick 4 TicketRace 2: 7 (add 1 if doesn’t scratch)Race 3: 1, 4, 9Race 4: 1, 6, 8, 10Race 5: 1, 5Ticket: $24 for $1Pick 5 TicketRace 5: 1, 5Race 6: 4, 9Race 7: 2, 6Race 8: 3, 4, 5Race 9: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9Ticket: $60 for 50-cents