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.

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

BELMONT STAKES COVERAGE1/ST Belmont Stakes Wager Guide | Free Access | Daily UpdatesScott Shapiro: Saratoga Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Spot Plays for ThursdayEXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Saratoga | today’s racesSCHEDULE NOTESSaratoga | day 2 of 5-day Belmont Stakes Racing FestivalChurchill Downs | twilight racing | first post 5 pm ETTOURNAMENT TIME$100 Belmont Stakes Challenge feeder | details$40 Canterbury BCBC Challenge feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $129,204 | Churchill Downs | begins Race 3 | 5:58 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $101,971 | Charles Town | begins Race 4 | 8:25 pm ETKEY RACESSaratoga | Race 2 | 1:07 pm ET | Jersey Girl StakesSaratoga | Race 3 | 1:40 pm ET | Pennine Ridge StakesSaratoga | Race 8 | 4:27 pm ET | Intercontinental StakesSaratoga | Race 10 | 5:36 pm ET | Belmont Gold CupLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXChurchill Downs | Race 3 | 5:58 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 8 | 6:03 pm ETPenn National | Race 3 | 6:43 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJose Silva Jr. | Canterbury Park | 5 of 6 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Delaware Park | jockey Paco Lopez | 5 wins, 2 thirds from 7 mountsYesterday | Saratoga | favorites went 0-10 on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Spot Plays for ThursdayFrank Carulli: Charles Town Keys for Thursday’s $101K Pick 6 CarryoverFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Charles Town has a $101,973 carryover and mandatory payout provision for tonight's pick 6 sequence. Races 4-9 make up the 6-pack, beginning at 8:25 pm ET. The Charles Town pick 6 is a 20-cent base bet. Here are my key plays.Charles Town - Race #4#5 BOSS LADY K P (9-5): Solo play to begin Pick 6.#2 HELLO FOXY (6-1): Starts fresh, gets pace to rally into on cutback from two-turn sprint.#4 CLOUDYNCOOL (10-1): ‘Boss’ stablemate idle since Fall but ‘ultra sharp’ in MSW win with blinks on.Race Summary: BOSS LADY K P fired a blank in allowance company off a similar layoff to begin her 3-year-old season in 2025. But she bounced back to set the pace and finish 1-2 in allowance company before chasing the winning favorite and tiring in a double ‘key’ 4-1/2F sprint when last seen in August. If she’s right, she should wire the field in her first start for a claiming price for a hot barn. Bet to win and place.Charles Town - Race #5#1 JUST DO BELIEVE (5-2): Believe in this barn to hopefully keep alive the Pick 6 hopes.#4 LAURIE DUN Y’ALL (5-1): Other half of uncoupled Farrior entry; dam won debut at Santa Anita by 10-1/2 lengths.#9 JANE N MARGO (3-1): ‘Willing’ third throughout as the 8-to-5 favorite in her debut.Race Summary: Trainer Anthony Farrior sends out a double threat to enhance his 23-percent win rate with first-time starters. Use both in the Jackpot Pick 6, but lean toward JUST DO BELIEVE despite drawing the difficult rail post going 4-1/2F. The $80,000 sales buy shows several fast workouts at Laurel Park and her sire, Dialed In, ranks in the Top 50 in North America this year with $2.4 million in progeny earnings. Bet to win and place and play a 1/ 4,9/ALL trifecta.Charles Town - Race #9#2 GONE WITH THE WYN (6-1): Last won at this level, contended for higher tags, offers some value.#6 CORRI FELICE (7-2): Won going away in last two starts as the favorite off similar rest.#7 FLAG WOMAN (2-1): Good first gear, failed at odds-on in last pair, sheds 7 pounds.Race Summary: GONE WITH THE WYN, overmatched in allowance company, can factor at a decent price in the final leg of the Pick 6 if she duplicates her in-the-money runs at the $10k, $15k and $25k levels this year. She finished in the money in half of her career starts, most at this distance, and looks to surpass $100,000 in earnings. Bet to win and place and play an exacta with numbers 2, 6 over 2, 6, 7, 9.

If Saturday’s Belmont Stakes is the main course for Saratoga’s Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, the 14-race card Friday can be considered an appealing appetizer. Not only are there three Grade 1 and two Grade 2 stakes to wager on, Xpressbet and 1/ST BET are offering an exciting Exacta-Thon promotion that allows bettors to win up to $10,000 in bonus cash on both days. The rules are simple: If you wager the $2 base minimum on six winning exacta combinations, you will win or share $8,000 in prize money on Friday and/or Saturday. The contestant(s) with the most winning exactas will win or share an additional $2,000. The exacta payout amounts have no bearing on the outcome. Bet on six winning exactas during the card and you win, plain and simple. For more Belmont Stakes coverage, access the free 1/ST Belmont Stakes Wager Guide.We’ll try to get you started with five exactas on the Friday card listed below that will cost $84 to play:Saratoga 2nd Race (12:19 p.m. EST)Morning-line favorite KENNY BE showed promise at the onset of his career and appears rounding back to his stakes-placed form as a 2-year-old after a sub-par 2025 season. But try to beat him in the Exacta-Thon on the grounds that the runners he beat in his first victory are 10-for-69 since then with only two allowance wins, and the rivals he ran away from last out were 9-for-60 heading into the entry-level allowance for New York breds. ELYSIAN MEADOWS rallied for two seconds and a third in four allowance sprints, spanning five starts since March of last year. But he should get ample pace flow to launch another contending rally. HIT THE POST was out-dueled by the winner in his seasonal debut at 7F on a sloppy track and finished a length behind Elysian Meadows. But he broke his maiden in style off a layoff last year and shows a fastest-of-37 workout at the training track here since his last start.$2 Exacta-Thon Wagers: 2, 3 with 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 (Cost $20)Saratoga 4th Race (1:29 p.m. EST)WAYS AND MEANS has an unmistakable way about her at Saratoga. Pick a superlative – brilliant, jaw-dropping, timeless – and it applies to the 5-year-old mare’s history at the upstate New York track. She won her debut here by 12-1/2 lengths, the Grade 1 Test on a muddy track at this distance as a 3-year-old and posted a 111 Beyer speed figure when she romped in the Grade 2 Bed ‘O Roses last June at age 4 to set up today’s title defense. Her only loss locally was a troubled second in the Grade 1 Spinaway. But she could face one of her toughest challenges in the form of GRAND JOB, who arrived from Ireland in the Fall of 2023. She won three of her first four starts stateside by 19-1/4 lengths and upstaged that run through the allowance ranks with a pair of triple-digit speed figures in winning the Grade 2 Inside Information and missing by a nose in the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland, both at 7F. If the favorites don’t run 1-2, the versatile SENZA, a smashing debut winner at Saratoga two years ago, or late running, two-time graded stakes winner PRAYING could sneak into the exacta.$2 Exacta-Thon Wager: 3 with 1, 4, 5 (Cost $6)Saratoga 8th Race (3:52 p.m. EST)MENTEE appeared hopelessly beaten when an erratic, onrushing rival cut in front of him at the half-mile marker, forcing him to check and lose several lengths in a 6F turf sprint. But he recovered well from the mishap, hitting his best stride in the stretch to finish third on the yielding turf. In similar fashion, the well-traveled BOLTAGE was well-reserved while saving ground on the backstretch, but he lost all chance when forced to check sharply. He dropped back to last on the turn, then rallied strongly in the stretch to get beat 2-1/4 lengths in a six-figure allowance at Keeneland. GOLD TRUST, one of seven entrants with $200,000-plus in grass earnings, won 3 of his last 5 sprints and looks to bounce back off a sub-par effort in his second start off a layoff like he did in winning an allowance race last year. It’s anybody’s race in here, so put the three aforementioned runners on top of a deep ticket.$2 Exacta-Thon Wagers: 6, 7, 10 with 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 12 (Cost: $30)Saratoga 10th Race Acorn Stakes (5:08 p.m. EST)ALWAYS A RUNNER stalked a fast pace, advanced 3-wide on the final turn and drove past the dueling leaders in the final sixteenth of the Kentucky Oaks (G-1) to remain unbeaten in three starts. She will be a popular Exacta-Thon play against similar rivals in today’s Grade 1 Acorn at the same 1-1/8-mile distance. But don’t sell PROM QUEEN short as a better price option in the rematch. She was visually impressive and handled with supreme confidence when winning the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G-2) in the race prior. But in the Kentucky Oaks, she was squeezed shortly after the break, raced far back on the backstretch, rallied extremely wide on the turn and finished willingly when angled inside through the lane. She could change tactics from the rail and be the target today.$2 Exacta-Thon Wagers: 1-2, 1-3, 1-5 and 5-1 (Cost $8)Saratoga 13th Race (7:04 p.m. EST)KARLEY B was bet down to 3-to-5 after a troubled third in her debut. She trailed early after a bumpy start at 6F, made a quick 3-wide bid to engage the leaders nearing the turn, wore down the 2-1 favorite in mid-stretch and galloped out strongly. The daughter of multiple graded stakes-winning router Girvin should handle the added ground.$2 Exacta-Thon Wagers: 7-ALL (Cost $20)

Thursday afternoon’s card in Saratoga that starts at 12:35 PM eastern is headlined by a trio of graded stakes races spread over the 11-race slate. Of the three, the Intercontinental (G2) over the grass is the one that intrigues the most. Here are a few horses I plan to build my Day 2 of the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival around. For more Belmont Stakes coverage, access the free 1/ST Belmont Stakes Wager Guide.Race 1:My best bet of the afternoon comes in the lid lifter where I love the chances of second-time starter #6 Margie’s Girl. The $345k FTK July ’25 purchase was not expected to take much money in her first start based on human connections and other data, but took a ton of support at the windows suggesting there was more to her than one might think. The daughter of Vekoma broke well in Louisville at first asking, but was outsprinted early forcing jockey Luan Machado to make a wide before she was able to find her best stride late. A big move forward should be expected with the start under her belt and a rider switch to the hottest rider on the continent. Hopefully, the Kenny McPeek trainee can start the day off the right way in this 5.5-furlong dash over the main track.Play: #6 Margie’s Girl (3-1 ML)Race 2: Jersey GirlThe lone non-graded stakes event on the Thursday slate is this 6-furlong dash for 3YO filly sprinters where #6 Mythical is expected to go off the prohibitive favorite. The Florida-bred heads back to New York after rattling off a pair of easy victories at Gulfstream Park this spring for trainer Jorge Delgado. There is no doubt the daughter of St Patrick’s Day is the one to beat, but I will take a swing against her with #4 Paige Turner. The Cherie DeVaux trainee was clearly well-meant in her first race off the layoff on May 1 at Churchill Downs, but it was #1 Carmel Coast who got the jump and had no desire in stopping. Carmel Coast also returns in this spot, but draws the rail and should have things a bit tougher in the early stages. This would bode well for the $350k OBS March ’25 purchase that has done little wrong thus far through four starts. Paige Turner is a filly I have always been extremely high on and should be the best price of her career since being sent off at 6-1 over this surface last August on debut.Play: #4 Paige Turner (4-1 ML)Race 8: Intercontinental (G3)My final play of the afternoon comes in this aforementioned 5.5-furlong turf dash for older fillies and mares where 3-1-ML favorite #3 In Our Time (pictured) should be a tough customer. The daughter of Not This Time cut back in distance in April in the Giant’s Causeway (G2) at Keeneland after a pair of starts against quality competition going two-turns. Saffie Joseph Jr. turned to jockey Flavien Prat in Kentucky last out and it paid dividends. Prat found a perfect spot early after breaking well and cruised home to an easy victory in the end. Often times fading runners off favorable trips can be a winning strategy, but In Our Time projects to get the same trip here against a field she should be able to handle. I will key her on top in verticals and single her in late horizontals.Play: #3 In Our Time (3-1 ML)

The Lead:The prestigious $1 million Metropolitan Handicap, the Met Mile, highlights Saturday's Belmont Stakes Day undercard at Saratoga. The 14-race card includes 7 major stakes, featuring the final jewel in the Triple Crown. We've got you covered for that one in the free 1/ST Belmont Stakes Wager Guide. But the Race 11 Met Mile is annually one of my favorite races and will be the focus here.​​Field Depth:Grade 1 winners NYSOS, JOURNALISM, ANTIQUARIAN and SAUDI CROWN are among the field of 7. KNIGHTSBRIDGE is a multiple Grade 3 winner. Knocking off the G1 winners here will be a tall ask.​Pace:Sprinter RATED BY MERIT, rapid miler SAUDI CROWN, KNIGHTSBRIDGE and inside-drawn VIBE and NYSOS should all employ some degree of early speed and provide a rapid pace. A strong finisher has every chance if he fires.​Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.1-NYSOS: The Baffert-Prat tandem won this race 2 years ago with National Treasure and this big-time threat is only 1-1/4 lengths from perfection from 9 starts. He’s 44-and-change fast when necessary but hasn’t shown that kind of pace of late. Expect some early ask from the rail coming out of the chute as this one has been freshened since February and working fast as you’d expect for the barn. Horses cutting back in trip, like he and Journalism in this field, win 16% in Saratoga chute races (13% for those returning at a mile, 12% for those stretching out off their most-recent race).2-VIBE: Improving class riser scratched from last week’s Blame Stakes at Churchill for this more difficult test, a sign the horse should be doing well. Outran a graded-stakes winner in Bullard on the Kentucky Derby undercard, so there’s some measure of quality. But there are in a different league. Has employed a first-over trip to win 3 straight but will have to work very hard to get that kind of journey Saturday.3-ANTIQUARIAN: Deep-closing Jockey Club Gold Cup winner over this surface last year at 10 furlongs surprised me by his handiness to win the 1-turn Westchester last out at Aqueduct, beating Cigar Mile hero Bishops Bay. John Velazquez wins 26% in Saratoga chute races so he’ll give him every chance in a Met Mile he’s won 5 times downstate. Todd Pletcher won this race with more brilliant Quality Road and Palace Malice. Likely to be overlooked, but not without a chance behind a great pace set-up.4-SAUDI CROWN: $3.6 million earner flutters between elite race placements and easier spots, diving back into the deep end Saturday after scoring twice this season against lesser competition. The 2023 Jim Dandy runner-up was solid in his only previous Spa appearance and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. is a 24% winner from the Saratoga chute, while Brad Cox has won 6 of 18 such races (33%). Does his best work on the lead, and that makes for a more difficult assignment while other pace abounds.5-RATED BY MERIT: Brings sprint speed to the Met Mile and has made the lead in 5 of 6 career starts. Suffered his only defeat last out in the Grade 2 Carter when fourth, his only start since October’s win in the Discovery. Chad Brown trainee gets Dylan Davis on a rider change and will be the biggest price of his career while facing easily his stiffest test. He certainly plays a role in how the race will be run (and likely won).6-KNIGHTSBRIDGE: The air came out of the tires on Kentucky Derby Day when he faded through the lane to finish sixth in the Churchill Downs Stakes. That snapped a 4-race winning streak that saw him win a trio of Grade 3 stakes. His series of 3 workouts since that last start indicate he’s no worse for the wear and a rebound candidate. This field looks tougher overall and there’s no shortage of early heat, but the pace probably won’t be as sharp over a mile as it was at 7 furlongs, and that chould keep him in the hunt. Bill Mott and Junior Alvarado teamed to win the 2023 Met Mile with Cody’s Wish.7-JOURNALISM: Classy 2025 Belmont Stakes runner-up was a clear-cut second in his only try over the Saratoga surface and returns while making his second start of the ’26 season. All 6 career wins (and 11 of 12 starts) have come in traditional, 2-turn races; the mile chute configuration here and trip are the obvious hurdles. Lost his composure in the gate at Oaklawn in his only try this year so it will be important to see if he keeps his cool pre-race. Loading last could work to his benefit, and nobody is riding better than Jose Ortiz, who teams back up with Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes. The pace scenario should suit his tenacious style and note the Californians have won both Met Mile editions held at Saratoga – National Treasure in 2024 (Bob Baffert) and Raging Torrent in 2025 (Doug O’Neill).Most Likely Exotics Contender:JOURNALISM is 12-12 in the superfecta lifetime, experienced over the track and gets a positive race shape in front of him to rally.Best Longshot Contender:ANTIQUARIAN at 6-1 morning line isn’t a huge price, but is off the radar as fourth choice and would not surprise to be in the exacta.​Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$75 win JOURNALISM. $25 exacta JOURNALISM-ANTIQUARIAN.

BELMONT STAKES COVERAGE1/ST Belmont Stakes Wager Guide | Free Access | Daily UpdatesScott Shapiro: Saratoga Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Spot Plays for WednesdaySCHEDULE NOTESSaratoga | opening day of 5-day Belmont Stakes Racing FestivalTOURNAMENT TIME$100 Belmont Stakes Challenge feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 5 | $14,380 | Delaware Park | begins Race 1 | 12:20 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $8,344 | Churchill Downs | Race 1 | 12:45 pm ETPick 5 | $14,380 | Delaware Park | begins Race 3 | 1:24 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $106,841 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETPick 5 | $15,463 | Delaware Park | begins Race 4 | 1:56 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $123,837 | Churchill Downs | begins Race 4 | 2:13 pm ETPick 5 | $13,618 | Finger Lakes | begins Race 4 | 2:22 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $86,255 (CAN) | Assiniboia Downs | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ET--Note Charles Town ($101,971) has a mandatory payout coming ThursdayKEY RACESSaratoga | Race 1 | 12:35 pm ET | Steinman Hurdle HandicapSaratoga | Race 2 | 1:11 pm ET | Bouwerie StakesSaratoga | Race 3 | 1:45 pm ET | Mount Vernon StakesSaratoga | Race 4 | 2:19 pm ET | Kingston StakesSaratoga | Race 5 | 2:53 pm ET | Critical Eye StakesSaratoga | Race 8 | 4:38 pm ET | Mike Lee StakesSaratoga | Race 9 | 5:13 pm ET | Commentator StakesHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 8 | 5:55 pm ET | Shelby County StakesHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 9 | 6:26 pm ET | William Henry Harrison StakesAssiniboia Downs | Race 3 | 9:25 pm ET | Beausox StakesAssiniboia Downs | Race 6 | 10:40 pm ET | Lil Missknowitall StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXChurchill Downs | Race 5 | 2:45 pm ETDelaware Park | Race 7 | 3:32 pm ETSaratoga | Race 7 | 4:03 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHBrandon Kulp | Presque Isle, Penn National | all 8 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Horseshoe Indianapolis | favorites won 6 of 9 races on both cardsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Spot Plays for WednesdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section