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

After Sovereignty came from off-the-pace to steal the show and return to the Saratoga winner’s circle after his dominant victory in the Whitney (G1), the racing week concludes in Saratoga Springs with an 11-race card that kicks off at 1:10 PM local time. The afternoon is headlined by the Troy (G2) for turf sprinters, as well as a first-level allowance over both surfaces. Here a few horses I am interested in, including my thoughts on the feature.Race 2:My first play of the day comes in this MSW for 3YOs+ at 1 1/16-miles over the Inner Turf where I will lean on one of the most experienced runners in this compact group of non-winners hoping to breakthrough for the first time. #2 Feline Curious exits a race where he was beaten by two rivals entered in this spot, but I expect a better run in his second local start. Two-back at Churchill Downs, the son of Kitten’s Joy broke on top before jockey Adam Beschizza was happy to let others go and settle a couple lengths off the pace instead. Johnny V rode this guy in his first start at the Spa last month where they went considerably quicker in the early stages than I expect them to today. He failed to finish with energy, but I expect him to be on the lead or right off the pace today against a field that could be caught in chase mode late. The Kelsey Danner trainee appears in with as a good a shot as anyone in the start of the early Pick 4.Play: #2 Feline Curious (9-2 ML)Picks: 2-6-3Race 8: Troy (G2)The lone stakes race on the Sunday agenda is this 5.5-furlong dash over the grass where there should be an honest pace given the presence of #1 Dancing Buck, #3 Doncho, #4 Coppola, #5 Waralo, and the probable speed of the speed #8 John the Beer Man. This should bode well for the New York-bred #2 Twenty Six Black. The son of War Dancer took advantage of a big setup and perfect trip last out in the Harvey Pack, but ran two big races prior to that as well. Three-back in the Elusive Quality, the son of War Dancer was likely best, but was unable to get through along the inside until it was too late in his neck defeat to Waralo. His fourth-place finish during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festvial in the Jaipur (G1) was better than looks since it was against the best of the division and included a wide sweeping move into the lane in a race where that was not the favorable trip. Twenty Six Black has shown a true affinity for this turf course, retains hot riding Manny Franco, and makes his second start of the summer meet for the red-hot Horacio De Paz barn. There is lots to like outside of his probable price.Play: #2 Twenty Six Black (5-2 ML)Picks: 2-3-8Race 9:My final play of the week comes in this state-bred first-level allowance at seven-furlongs over the main track where I will hope #6 Max Money can make it two wins in a row for trainer Mike Maker. The Three Diamonds Farm colt went five starts as a 2YO without a win, but broke his maiden at this same distance on April 18 at Aqueduct before a failed try against stakes foes in the Mike Lee. The son of Maxfield rebounded though by besting allowance foes out of the Wilson chute on July 16 and should get a perfect stalking trip today under jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. Hopefully, he can cap off a solid week for yours truly off despite a poor Whitney Day with a victory for the “good guys.”Play: #6 Max Money (4-1 ML)Picks: 6-5-4

After a smashing juvenile win in the Best Pal on Saturday by Hughes, we’ll see if the fillies’ first step to the Del Mar Debutante can produce similar fireworks. The Grade 3 Sorrento goes as Race 6. First post for Sunday’s 9-race card is 5 pm ET / 2 pm PT. The final race has a super hi 5 carryover of $25,516.Each day this summer at Del Mar, I’ll be handicapping the action with my top plays on the card – including full-card selections for a featured program each week (this week’s full-card was Saturday).Del Mar: Race 3 | 6:04 pm ET#1 Red Cherry (5-2 morning line odds) has no excuses here as rail speed in a wire-to-wire threat. Nearly pulled it off over a sixteenth farther last out over this track. Filly who nailed her last time was stakes-placed and winning for the second straight time. Win bet #1. Picks 1-4-7Del Mar: Race 5 | 7:10 pm ET#8 Daniel’s Magic (3-1 morning line odds) has run very well in Del Mar turf sprints against tougher competition and comes into the race in positive form. Trainer Craig Dollase has had Del Mar turf sprint claiming success in recent summers. Win bet #8. Picks 8-3-9Del Mar: Race 7 | 8:10 pm ET#9 Pure Chaos (4-1 morning line odds) best bet on the card after blasting late last time and galloping out clearly best. Speed held very well in that blanket finish, so her close gets extra kudos and note the winner came back here Friday to win again. Rival #7 Pavel Is Appealing had the easier trip last out of the pair. Win bet #9. Picks 9-7-3

Northfield Park starts the week with a 16-race card. The Spot Plays are in Race 4, Race 11, and Race 14. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 4 (7:06 PM EDT)2-The Plan (6-1)-Won 2 straight and stepped up again to face this kind and came a distant 2nd at 18-1. Ran into a monster that night who won in 152.1. Did race well considering was doubled bumbled and had a wide ride. Now comes back versus the same and this is a beatable field. Kurt Sugg should get a close-up seat, and work an efficient trip. This race could set-up nicely for the veteran and can offer a square price.Using #2 The Plan in a Win Bet2-4-3Race 11 (9:40 PM EDT)4-Out Of Ice (6-1)-Meadows shipper comes off a handy win at 1/9 and now steps up to face Open company. Has 1 win in 2 starts at Nfld, and that came against this kind back in April. Aaron Merriman posts 21% winners for the Bercury barn, he knows the 4-year-old, and it should offer a nice return. The pedal will be down and can land in the pocket or on top and either could work for an upset win.Playing #4 Out Of Ice to Win4-6-2Race 14 (10:46 PM EDT)2-Bryant Bros S (5-1)-Gets needed post relief but the morning line still seems low. The 5-year-old can win off a smooth trip and from this starting slot has a good chance of getting one. The Schillaci trainee could be sitting on a big try and likes to win at Nfld (36-9-2-5).Betting #2 Bryant Bros (5-1) to Win2-1-8Check me out on X!

EXTRA INCENTIVES$5,000 Exacta-Thon | Saratoga | today’s races$10 Money-Back Special | Woodbine | Races 9 & 10 | if win bets finish 2nd, 3rd | Jeff Bratt picks10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Meadowlands harness | today’s races10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Summer Sweep 5 (Gulfstream/Woodbine)Woodbine Mile Flyaway Sweepstakes | earn up to 4 entries todaySCHEDULE NOTESSaratoga | early 11:45 am ET first postMeadowlands harness | early noon ET first postSPECIAL WAGERSSummer Sweep Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 7-9-10, Woodbine Races 7-10--$1 minimum, 15% takeout, no CAWTOURNAMENT TIME$500 Monmouth/Saratoga Whitney Day Challenge | details$125 Fun in the Sun (Saratoga / Del Mar) | details$100 Saratoga Feeder | details$80 Del Mar Feeder | details$40 Canterbury Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 5 | $24,997 | Delaware Park | begins Race 1 | 12:20 pm ETPick 5 | $9,793 | Delaware Park | begins Race 3 | 1:24 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $136,953 | Thistledown | begins Race 4 | 1:50 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $4,575 | Gulfstream Park | Race 10 | 5:22 pm ETPick 6 | $148,537 | Del Mar | begins Race 5 | 7:16 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $74,216 | Charles Town | begins Race 3 | 8:02 pm ETKEY RACESThistledown | Race 1 | 12:10 pm ET | first of 5 Best of Ohio StakesMeadowlands | Race 3 | 12:50 pm ET | Cane Pace (harness)Delaware | Race 4 | 1:56 pm ET | Dover StakesGulfstream | Race 6 | 3:00 pm ET | Scandalous Act StakesDelaware | Race 6 | 3:00 pm ET | Blue Hen StakesMeadowlands | Race 9 | 3:36 pm ET | Hambletonian Oaks (harness)Monmouth | Race 6 | 3:36 pm ET | Oceanport StakesColonial | Race 8 | 3:57 pm ET | Shenandoah StakesColonial | Race 9 | 4:27 pm ET | Colonial Turf Dash StakesSaratoga | Race 9 | 4:36 pm ET | Test StakesMeadowlands | Race 11 | 4:51 pm ET | Hambletonian (harness)Saratoga | Race 10 | 5:14 pm ET | Fourstardave StakesWoodbine | Race 9 | 5:24 pm ET | Bison City StakesSaratoga | Race 11 | 5:52 pm ET | Saratoga Derby StakesWoodbine | Race 10 | 5:57 pm ET | Niagara StakesDel Mar | Race 3 | 6:07 pm ET | Best Pal StakesSaratoga | Race 12 | 6:33 pm ET | Whitney StakesDel Mar | Race 8 | 8:50 pm ET | Yellow Ribbon StakesPrairie Meadows 8 | Race | 9:00 pm ET | Cyclones HandicapLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXSaratoga | Race 4 | 1:34 pm ETEllis Park | Race 4 | 2:16 pm ETDel Mar | Race 10 | 9:48 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHAnthony Farrior | Charles Town | 7 of 8 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Saratoga | jockey Manny Franco | 6 wins, tying single-day Spa recordPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Full-Card Saturday PicksJeremy Plonk: Del Mar Full-Card Saturday PicksAl Cimaglia: Meadowlands Hambletonian Day All-Stakes PicksFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Hambletonian Day at the Big M will include 9-Graded Stakes on the 16-race card. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track and they cover all of the Graded Stakes.Xpressbet/1st Bet Account holders will receive 10X 1st Reward Points on all bets on the Hambo card. So don't forget to register!Race 3-Cane Pace Purse $310,750 (12:50 PM EDT)2-Brandon Blvd (6/5)-The morning line chalk will be a small price and the 2nd choice #3 Gentleman's Club and #5 Odds On Mr Mamba have a shot. But with a small field and Dexter Dunn at the controls, Brandon shouldn't have a compromised trip and is on top of its game. The Andrew Harris trainee is 3-3 at M1 and when this race ends its perfect record should still be intact.2-3-5Race 8-Cashman Memorial Purse $281,200 (3:04 PM EDT)1-Super Chapter (7/2)-Lost to On To Norway two straight times by a neck in July and then tuned up at M1 in 151.4 on 8-1. Ran into a monster and today On To Norway is not a worry, and with a decent trip can take its 3rd picture in 5 races this year. Lexus Cody is no slouch but will lean toward Dunn with the Marcus Melander trainee being the best down the lane.1-6-7Race 9-Hambletonian Oaks Purse $500,000 (3:36 PM EDT)1-Busy Miss Lissy S (4-1)-Going for an upset and it looks like the Ake Svanstedt entry is peaking at the right. If Svanstedt connects it will be his 2nd Hambo Oaks win. For some, the Elimination win could be dismissed as being trip aided. But this filly has won 5 of 7 at M1, and although getting a pocket ride, she was sharp and showed her versatility. Lissy should be racing on top or close to it once the wings fold. But she also has the grit to hold onto the lead or roll by others down the lane. Yannick Gingras will steer the 2nd chalk Nezuko Kamado S as Scott Zeron was hurt in an accident Thursday night at Yonkers. No doubt, Gingras is one of the best. But this will be a new set of hands at a less than opportune time, and it may not provide a winning difference.1-2-4Race 10-Steele Memorial Purse $183,650 (4:08 PM EDT)5-Yo Tillie (3-1)-The Andrew Harris prize pupil makes her 2nd start on Lasix after winning on 8-1 in a gate to wire score. Comes back in sequence, last time was on the bench since 7-11. When this gal is right, and she looks that way now, it is hard to ignore her M1 record (9-7-0-0). Todd McCarthy should be no worse than in the pocket around the opening turn. This isn't a lay-up but with a smooth trip should have her way with this field.5-4-2Race 11-Hambletonian Final Purse $1,000,000 (4:51 PM EDT)4-Big Ranger (2-1)-It's difficult for some with an East Coast bias to recognize the talent of some bred in Ohio, Indiana or Canada. But Ohio bred or not, my take is there is no way to discount Big Ranger outstanding effort in last week's Elimination. Is it possible that Apex or Endurance could win, or someone else off a great trip? Yes, but possible and likely are two different things. If the Anette Lorentzon entry comes with the same determination today as last week, driver Tim Tetrick will take his 2nd Hambo picture.4-6-3Race 12-McKee Memorial Purse $138,650 (5:34 PM EDT)9-Lou Hill (7/2)-Lou has big gate speed and there isn't a lot of that in this field except for #4 Captain Optimistic. No doubt Yannick Gingras will be blasting off the gate. One way or the other he should be in control early in the mile. The Per Engblom trainee loves to win and has been doing a lot of it lately. In the last 10 races the 5-year-old has taken 7 pictures and is a prefect 2 for 2 at M1. Will look for another big try and the post draw helps the price.9-3-4Race 13-McKee Memorial Purse $139,900 (5:58 PM EDT)3-Bythemissal (9/2)-This race is a taffy pull, so will look for a square price and the inside draw shouldn't hurt. Missal turned heads in its last start with a 53.2 back half and rolled by them all with a 25.4 last quarter. Consecutive wins don't happen as often these days for the Ron Burke veteran, but if it repeats its last performance, it could here. Has also won 5 of 12 at M1 and that's the best win percentage in the field.3-1-7Race 14-Lady Liberty Purse $156,500 (6:24 PM EDT)2-Miki And Minnie (3-1)-Doesn't have big gate speed so that can make the job more difficult. Drawing inside could help James MacDonald stay in the hunt early on. With a decent trip the Chris Ryder entry could pull off a mild upset and beat its stablemate Twin B Joe Fresh who Dexter Dunn will be steering. Can offer some value and does very good work at M1 (9-7-0-2)2-7-4Race 15-Shady Daisy Purse $123,200 (6:48 PM EDT)5-Be Perfect BG (9/5)-This is the best horse in the field, very consistent, and Dexter Dunn does the steering. The good points don't stop there. Comes off a win, has taken 6 pictures in 7 races at M1, and draws well. Will be a small price and it would be a surprise if the Tony Beaton 3-year-old weren't posing.5-1-7Check me out on X!

The first open-company juvenile stakes of the Del Mar season takes place Saturday with the Best Pal, co-featured on a 10-race card that includes the Yellow Ribbon for Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf divisional prospects. A $148,537 carryover in the pick 6 gets underway in Race 5.Each day this summer at Del Mar, I’ll be handicapping the action with my top plays on the card – including full-card selections for a featured program each week (this week’s full-card will be Saturday).Let’s get to work.Del Mar: Race 1 | maiden / optional claiming#4 Billy Goat and #5 High Pronto chased winners who will match up in the co-featured Best Pal Stakes a few races later. Tough to separate those Doug O’Neill stablemates who could be dueling up front, while top choice #6 Boss Man Bolt exits a good second July 17 over the track and continued the success we’ve seen from the Bolt d’Oro stock locally in past seasons. Blinkers off could get Boss Man Bolt over the top after being his own worst mental enemy late in his last start. Picks 6-5-4.Del Mar: Race 2 | starter / optional claimingSolid lean to top pick #2 Hannah Buckle, who is beautifully drawn for a turf mile and returns to her favorite course (2-5 here, 0-8 elsewhere). The Bated Breath offspring relish this lawn and she’s no exception. Note the mare who beat her at Santa Anita in June already has returned to win the Osunitas Stakes at this meet. #1 Eternal Reign is a public darling while favored in 8 of her last 12 starts, but she’s won just 1 of her last 10 and has settled far too many minor awards to take at a small price. #3 Nikolina might be stretched farther than her damside pedigree suggests, but intigues enough to include underneath. Picks 2-1-3.Del Mar: Race 3 | $150,000 Best Pal StakesNot unexpected, the Best Pal has been dominated by Bob Baffert’s 12 career wins, including each of the last 4. #3 Hughes debuted like a 3-5 should at Los Al and has trained well since. Liked the gallop-out from his July 25 bullet work over this track as seen at 1st.tv. Speedball #2 He Is No Lie nearly parlayed a Santa Anita debut dash win into Churchill Downs’ Bashford Manor score. He dueled the favorite into a 12-length defeat, but was nailed late by a 31-1 shot. This looks like the right pair but short prices in an uncreative opinion. #6 Kennyten romped in his SA debut, while his 2-3 pursuers already have returned to finish second in maiden heats. Picks 3-2-6.Del Mar: Race 4 | claimingTurf sprint claimer has at least 4 runners on paper who could cook early, setting this up for a finisher. The slight cut-back for #4 Tigerhon should suit him for a stalk-and-pounce under Hector Berrios, riding turf with success this meeting. Another in a line of Bated Breath offspring who relish this grass. Best bet early in the card and will feather out some depth underneath for the exotics. #5 Code Duello is the early pace player I trust most, dropping in class and so consistent on grass. He’s often hammered in the betting, so be price sensitive. #7 Regal Patriot likes to win races (45% 9-20 lifetime) and returns from the long layoff while dropping in class for a Steve Knapp barn that has struggled. Big shot to #11 Doncic if that one draws in off the also-eligible list, even from a tough post. Picks 4/11-5-7-3-1-8.Del Mar: Race 5 | claiming | start of $148,537 carryover pick 6The best maiden win in this non-winners of 2 lifetime claimer belongs to #2 Ima Track Star, and he’s merely 1-for-3 in a race loaded with horses mired at this condition for a long time. Pace looks fair, but if he’s simply faster than these it won’t be a surprise. Next door, #3 Desert Kat just missed for us at 13-1 earlier in the meet and returns in a similar spot. He’s part of a long line of tough beats for trainer George Papaprodromou this summer so far. Deserves a look, especially if price is right. #8 Chapter One has 1 “where’d that come from?” race surrounded by a bunch of lesser efforts. Hard to trust, but scary at his random best. Picks 2-3-8.Del Mar: Race 6 | maiden special weightHalf of these 10 exit the same July 18 Del Mar maiden turf mile won by a prior 0-for-4 runner. Now extending to 9 furlongs, I’m apt to reach for a fresh face. #3 Khonsu hasn’t raced since December and never on turf, but I’ll take a shot he fires early fresh in a paceless heat. The American Pharoahs have been better on turf, and the damside pedigree from an unraced dam leans grass. Second dam was a Calder turf stakes winner and the dam was half-sister to a Del Mar Green Flash Stakes turf sprint runner-up. Working sharp and we nailed an Adam Kitchingman sharp worker last week. #9 Path to Power is the other fresh face I like. The British export has all-day genes for the 9 furlongs and returns gelded and with blinkers. #1 Corkscrew Andy preferred among the July 18 returnees – quickest to return to the workout tab after that race and gets a much better post than harpooned in 10-hole last time. Picks 3-9-1.Del Mar: Race 7 | maiden special weightA spread race with no overly confident options to this eye. #6 Her Strut and #8 Take Revenge tried to close July 18 in a common event where the 1-2 finishers led throughout. Former’s trainer George Papaprodromou has better second-start stats and gets the slight nod. #4 Big Blast seemed to get better as his July 23 Del Mar 3-horse team drill from the gate went along, as seen on video. Best of the rookies. #3 Just Work It Out, albeit green, has been fast from the gate on video and might get the front for sharp debut barn John Sadler. Picks 6-4-3-8-2.Del Mar: Race 8 | $200,000 Yellow Ribbon Stakes#4 Princess Moche could get loose on the lead while making another sprint-to-route bid. Note she’s 2-for-2 when immediately extending the trip since arriving in the US from Peru. Those wins came on 17 and 21-day quick returns, so her 14-day rebound from the Daisycutter earlier this meet might be right on plan for hot-going Doug O’Neill. #5 Take a Breath gives herself a lot to overcome late but fits well with this group and should be firing in the lane like she was in last year’s Del Mar Oaks. Another Bated Breath offspring to fear on this course. Mike Maker doesn’t ship many west but #2 Sweet Rebecca was very good on a top-of-ground kind of turf at Lone Star and that will play well and similar to Del Mar. Shrewd road trip. #8 Whiskey Decision also comes west, and notably was runner-up last out to Gimme a Nother, who since returned to win last Saturday’s Beverly D at Colonial Downs. Good options in this race. Picks 4-5-2-8.Del Mar: Race 9 | allowance / optional claiming#4 Supernal won a similar condition at Los Al last out and returns Saturday for the optional claiming price to remain eligible. Six-time winner from 21 starts faces less-accomplished rivals. Has run well for Steve Knapp and Doug O’Neill through prior claims and looking for Isidro Tamayo to keep him in form. #9 Matt At Five was clearly second-best in his local unveiling July 17 and smoked a bullet since for Peter Miller. Remains on tilt and a big threat. #1 Special Club has run well over the track, but loses Juan Hernandez to #3 Miss Jo’s Curlin, perhaps a sneaky indicator on that turf runner coming off a year layoff. Picks 4-9-1-3.Del Mar: Race 10 | maiden claiming#3 Lucky Sniper didn’t want to settle when last seen in May, but since gelded and could be a different horse on the class drop if able to relax. Should be a lot of pace here drawn in the middle of the field and pace sets up for some patience. #1 Heroic Dose has been in drama through both starts but Jeff Mullins’ turfers are firing and could improve with a clean go. #5 Non Domicile might be best of a fast pace scenario but stamina comes into question. Leaning mostly on the top pair. Picks 3-1-5.