The Lead:The first of the summer "majors" for the Triple Crown alumni comes up with the Grade 1 Haskell. That will be followed by the Travers in August and the Pennsylvania Derby in September among the Grade 1 dirt routes. Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner Golden Tempo awaits a date at the Spa, while several of the prime Preakness players are back to match up in the Haskell.The 1-1/8 miles race will be part of the $5,000 Hit & Split promotion for Saturday's card at Monmouth. Bet the late pick 4 or pick 5 with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet and earn your share of bonus cash.​​Field Depth:Grade 1 winners include NAPOLEON SOLO and FURTHER ADO. Both THE PUMA and IRON HONOR are Grade 3 winners and Grade 1-placed. OCELLI also is Grade 1-placed. Those 5 all match up pretty evenly in terms of strength of schedule, perhaps FURTHER ADO was an edge, albeit not wide.​Pace:NAPOLEON SOLO under Paco Lopez likely will be the aggressor and set the tempo. Horses like FURTHER ADO could line up next along with longshots BABY VINO and STAR SWEEPER. The tempo does not look to overcook on paper. Closers could need some help on a historically fast strip.​Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.1-STAR SWEEPER: Longshot looks to be in a no-lead, no-pass situation and overmatched against superior talent. He’s 0-7 in stakes and both wins in 9 starts came at 6-1/2 furlongs.2-FURTHER ADO: Decent bounce-back win in the Matt Winn Stakes for the Kentucky Derby beaten favorite. But it was a far cry from his impressive Keeneland performances. Trainer Brad Cox continued sharpening the knife with fast works in early July at home at Churchill. Monmouth surface may benefit him the faster and tighter they make it, which can often be the case on Haskell Day. Hard to argue with 5: 4-1-0 record when Irad Ortiz Jr. rides. Obvious contender, but likely an underlay price at below 2-1, which are my fair odds.3-BABY VINO: Progressive sort has improved in every start and exits a career-best victory in the Pegasus over this track. Wildcard needs another big leap forward against this level of competition and not sure the damside pedigree gives him enough punch to win over 1-1/8 miles against this bunch.4-THE PUMA: The field’s best finisher hasn’t raced since the Florida Derby in late March, but was in training through the Kentucky Derby when an eleventh-hour scratch. Missed a month on workout tab thereafter but has 6, perfectly spaced drills with this target in mind all summer. Gustavo Delgado trainee got stronger deeper into his form cycle this winter/spring and loses regular rider Javier Castellano to injury. Replacement pilot Luis Saez may not be the perfect style fit for a finisher like this. Still, probably the one to fear late and wouldn’t surprise me to win.5-IRON HONOR: Preakness runner-up already has seen the middle jewel’s third-place finisher Chip Honcho return to win the Ohio Derby. That he remained at Belmont and didn’t go with the A-team to the Spa in recent months indicates that’ve had their eye on this Jersey Shore prize for some time. Some concern over 9F that if he stays closer to the pace – like he did in the Wood vs. the Preakness – that he won’t have enough late firepower. Monmouth isn’t the kind of track on Haskell Day where patience is rewarded. Mixed vibes.6-NAPOLEON SOLO: The horse to beat exits a Preakness score that re-wrote his future forecast. He wiped away tiring losses in the Fountain of Youth and Wood Memorial and carried his winning stamina around 2 turns for the first time. The Haskell long has looked like his best chance at a major in the sophomore ranks – and he, frankly, got there sooner at Laurel. Jockey Paco Lopez for all his glaring flaws has been winning at an unfathomable 46% rate this meeting and he’s a speed jockey on a clear speed horse – vs. a field largely made up of horses who’d rather chase from second or third. Catch him to win.7-OCELLI: Deep closer remains a maiden through 9 starts and does enough most times to tease you along for another chance. The Haskell typically doesn’t fall apart to a horse from the clouds like this amd the quality runners in this field all have a major tactical edge on him. This surface might play closer to Colonial from his Viriginia Derby effort, which was not one of his best. Not for me today.Most Likely Exotics Contender:Lopez is nearly 75% in the money at the meet and his style and pace situation fit NAPOLEON SOLO quite well, despite the horse's up-and-down campaign in 2026.Best Longshot Contender:None projected. Top-4 wagering choices look dialed into the exacta, and likely trifecta.​​Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$90 win NAPOLEON SOLO. $10 exacta NAPOLEON SOLO over THE PUMA.

Over the next 9 weeks, horseplayers at Xpressbet can test their skills on the summer’s 2 hottest meets – Saratoga and Del Mar. The annual Fun in the Sun handicapping contest runs 8 Saturdays from July 18-September 5 and concludes with the $10,000-added Final Table on Labor Day Monday, September 7.Entry is just $25 each qualifying round week and players utilize a $100 live bankroll on the final 5 races from Saratoga and first 5 races from Del Mar ($10 parimutuel win bets in each of the contest races). The top-5 players in accumulated earnings each week qualify for a seat in the final table, where just 40 entries will square off for the grand prize (players can qualify up to 2 entries in the Final Table). Weekly prize pool money will be on the line for the top-3 finishers each Saturday (70% of entry fees paid out weekly, 30% carries over to the Final Table pool).The Final Table format began in 2020 and past champions include Robert Rosen (2020), Wayne Tam (2021), Kevin Saunders (2022), Joe Tambasco (2023), Gordon Maruya (2024) and Andy Muhlada (2025).2026 Tournament DatesSaturday, July 18, 25Saturday, August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29Saturday and Monday, September 5 and 7 (Final Table)Buy-In$125 Buy-In per week, split between $100 Bankroll + $25 Entry FeeHow to PlayTournament consists of the last five (5) races each Saturday at Saratoga and the first five (5) races each Saturday at Del Mar. Players must make a $10 Win bet on one (1) horse in each race via the Contest Wagerpad.Weekly Prize Pool70% of Entry Fees are paid out each week as the Weekly Prize PoolWeekly PrizesTop Five (5) finishers each week automatically qualify for the Final Table1st Place Finisher – 60% of Weekly Prize Pool + Final Table Seat2nd Place Finisher – 25% of Weekly Prize Pool + Final Table Seat3rd Place Finisher – 15% of Weekly Prize Pool + Final Table Seat4th Place Finisher – Final Table Seat5th Place Finisher – Final Table SeatFinal Table Prizes30% of Entry Fees carried over to the Final Table$10,000-added prize pool courtesy of Xpressbet1st Place Finisher: 55% of Final Table Prize Pool2nd Place Finisher: 25% of Final Table Prize Pool3rd Place Finisher: 10% of Final Table Prize Pool4th Place Finisher: 5% of Final Table Prize Pool5th Place Finisher: 5% of Final Table Prize Pool‍For more and to register, visit the Tournaments page.

The racing week at Saratoga Race Course kicks off in a big way since the Pick 6 carryover from Sunday was pushed back to Thursday afternoon after communication issues between the New York Racing Association and the jockeys. Therefore, there will be a $1 traditional Pick 6 carryover of $166,702 starting in Race 4 (2:56 PM eastern) on Thursday. Here are a few horses I consider must uses within the sequence.Race 4:This $100k maiden claimer at one-mile over the Inner Turf kicks things off where #9 Franklin Delano appears a vulnerable 5-2-ML favorite. Yes, the Liam’s Map colt gets class relief after failing four times against protected maidens to kick off his career for Todd Pletcher, but his last race was extremely underwhelming against just an average group at Aqueduct. He has kept stronger company, but overall but does not strike fear into me by any stretch. #1 Arabian Power has had his chances with favorable trips as well. His last two starts since moving to the grass, adding blinkers, and stretching out to two turns have been better, but also have resulted in losing lone leads without any real excuse. The advantage he is on Thursday is the inside draw over an Inner Turf Course that greatly favors those that can avoid wide voyages into that first turn. The inside draw and slight cutback to eight-furlongs make this Not This Time gelding a must use to kick things off.Play: #1 Arabian Power (7-2 ML)Picks: 1-8-6Race 6:This MSW event for fillies and mares at 1 1/8-miles appears wide-open. 5-2-ML favorite #4 Ati Girl has had eight chances already, while #6 Pippa Adds tries a route of ground for the first time after three speed and fade efforts going one-turn. I trust neither and prefer a trio of 3YO fillies that should offer more value. #1 Morning Menace was not competitive late in her third-place finish going 6.5-furlongs off the bench in May, but draws the rail and Prat on the stretch out, while #5 Moonlit ran into a good-looking winner in each of her first two starts for Miguel Clement and gets more ground. They are both worth consideration, but I landed on the other Clement #7 Jadorlinija. The Moyglare Stud Farm homebred is by Curlin out of a Scat Daddy mare that won eight races, albeit on the grass, for the same connections. She shook off the rust last out and should relish the 9-furlong trip. Ricardo Santana Jr. has been riding well and hopefully uses his gate skills to get her into the race out of the gate.Play: #7 Jadorlinija (6-1 ML)Picks: 7-1-5Race 7:This non-winners of two for $35k claimers at 1 1/16-miles over the Inner Turf is another race that could prove tough for chalk players. #8 Ciro di Marzio drops in for a tag for the first time off a year layoff for Wesley Ward. He has raced against the best competition, but the layoff for the 5YO gelding and return to claimers does not breed confidence he is ready for his best off the bench. Second choice #2 English Law holds the recency edge over the favorite, but his only win came in December ’24. The fact he has been unable to hit the board over his first three starts for Will Walden says a lot. I will try to beat them both with #6 Vintage Vino. The son of Vino Rosso lacks early speed, but gets a massive rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz Jr. If Irad can keep him within shouting distance early, he should have the kick to run this group down late for trainer Linda Rice.Play: #6 Vintage Vino (4-1 ML)Picks: 6-8-2

EXTRA INCENTIVESRed Shores Super Saturday Sweepstakes | Summerside (harness)SCHEDULE NOTESDelaware Park | cancelled due to heatTOURNAMENT TIME$40 Assiniboia Feeder | details$40 The Meadows (harness) feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $378,672 (CAN) | Assiniboia Downs | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ETKEY RACESFair Meadows Tulsa | Race 3 | 7:56 pm ET | Muscogee Creek Nation StakesAssiniboia Downs | Race 3 | 9:25 pm ET | Hazel Wright Sire StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 3 | 3:12 pm ETThistledown | Race 8 | 4:20 pm ETMountaineer | Race 4 | 8:15 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJuan Pablo Silva | Mountaineer | 6 of 8 entrants 3-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Monmouth | Saturday’s Haskell field drawn, featuring Napoleon Solo, Further AdoPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMBrian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Finger Lakes | today’s races20% Exacta Boost (up to $20) | Assiniboia Downs | today’s racesTOURNAMENT TIME$40 Assiniboia Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $148,023 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $358,301 (CAN) | Assiniboia Downs | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ETKEY RACESAssiniboia Downs | Race 3 | 9:25 pm ET | Hardy StakesAssiniboia Downs | Race 6 | 10:40 pm ET | Canada StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXFinger Lakes | Race 5 | 2:51 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 7 | 5:16 pm ETMountaineer | Race 4 | 8:15 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHBrad Cox | Horseshoe Indianapolis | all 5 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Parx | favorites won 5 of 9 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Finger Lakes Bet $100, Get $10 Picks for TuesdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Throughout July, Tuesdays and Thursdays heat up at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet with our Red, White & Bet 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 2 | 1:24 pm ET#6 The Brown Egg (7-2 morning line odds) showed vast improvement last out when dropping to this class level and adding blinkers. Horse who finished ahead of him there came back to beat winners next out by 6-1/2 lengths. Trainer Charlie Baker has won with 4 of 9 local starters in recent weeks. Win bet #6. Picks: 6-1-3.Finger Lakes Race 6 | 3:20 pm ET#7 Banking Silver (3-1 morning line odds) steps up in class naturally off a good maiden-breaker June 22, the classic “nibbler breaks out” candidate after several close losses. These types often win right back. No barn hotter than Rachel Sells in recent weeks at Finger Lakes and note this one beat an Aqueduct debut runner-up for Miguel Clement in that last win, a strong rival for a FL maiden heat. Even sprinter should like the route and barn excels with the stretch-outs. Win bet #7. Picks: 7-1-6.

EXTRA INCENTIVES1 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Gulfstream | today’s $3 late pick 3SCHEDULE NOTESGulfstream Park | begins Monday racing | first post 12:20 pm ETSPECIAL WAGERSGulfstream Park | new $3 late pick 3 | 15% takeoutGulfstream Park | new $5 late double | 15% takeoutGulfstream Park | new $1 place pick 8 | 15% takeoutTOURNAMENT TIME$40 Assiniboia Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $139,448 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $86,735 | Gulfstream | begins Race 4 | 1:53 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $340,573 (CAN) | Assiniboia Downs | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ETKEY RACESFinger Lakes | Race 3 | 1:53 pm ET | New York OaksFinger Lakes | Race 7 | 3:49 pm ET | Reed Memorial StakesFinger Lakes | Race 8 | 4:18 pm ET | New York DerbyAssiniboia Downs | Race 3 | 9:25 pm ET | Speers StakesAssiniboia Downs | Race 5 | 10:35 pm ET | Derby Trial StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXGulfstream | Race 5 | 2:27 pm ETColonial Downs | Race 7 | 3:36 pm ETMountaineer | Race 2 | 7:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJamie Ness | Parx | 5 of 6 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Mountaineer | favorites won 6 of 8 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Gulfstream $3 Player’s Pick 3 | Monday, July 13, 2026Frank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Gulfstream Park introduces some new player-friendly wagers as part of their summer Monday programs. Yes, that is right a trio of new horizontals will begin for the first time with the Monday addition to the schedule in Hallandale Beach. The $1 Players Place 8, a wager that challenges bettors to pick the winner or the second-place finisher in all eight races, the $3 Players Late Pick 3, and the $5 Players Late Double all give horseplayers better shots at profiting than most wagers offered by the competition. Here are my thoughts on the first $3 Players Late Pick 3 ever offered at Gulfstream Park Plus, an $86K carryover in the Rainbow 6 has a Monday mandatory payout provision.. Read more about the new Monday lineup here.Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.Race 7:Grade: B-Main Ticket: 3 Corta Fuego; 1 Navy CrossBackups: 11 Saratoga FlashForecast: Trainer Nicholas Tomlinson has been scorching of late. In fact, over the last 30 days, Tomlinson is 5 for 12 with a $4.72 ROI and sends out 2-1-ML favorite #11 Saratoga Flash. The son of Laoban makes his first start since an off-the-pace third place finish where he failed to threaten the wire-to-wire winner at odds of 2-1. The decrease in competition is noteworthy, but so is the fact just 1 of his 9 career victories have come over an all-weather surface. He is the one to beat, but I prefer the value a pair of geldings drawn to the inside offer.#3 Corta Fuego is my top choice. The son of Divisdero has been very popular at the claim box and comes in off a runner-up finish versus similar. There is little doubt this is his preferred surface. #1 Navy Cross is a bit more of a stab, but could find himself loose on the lead. This was true last time to an extent, but he took some heat during that second quarter that led to a race shape that favored off the pace. Perhaps Edgar Perez can control the tempo a bit better in this guy’s second start of the form cycle.Race 8:Grade: C+Main Ticket: 4 Sonic SurgeBackups: 2 R WinchesterForecast: I lack creativity in this $30k N2L at 6-furlongs over the main track where class dropper #4 Sonic Surge is the one to beat. The 8-5-ML choice gets some major class relief in his first start against older runners after tackling stakes foes last out. Overall, he has kept far better company than his competition and his one drop into the claiming ranks saw him overcome an outside bias with his inside trip throughout. If he fires, he should win. If not, it is #2 R Winchester’s race to lose. He has been freshened up since his maiden victory on April 25. A repeat of that run at Tampa Bay Downs gives him a significant chance, but regression is certainly within the range of potential outcomes. I will single the chalk on most tickets with one back to the deuce.Race 9:Grade: B-Main Ticket: 3 Curly Sue; 4 Keepsake BoxBackups: NoneForecast: I will try to beat 2-1-ML favorite #9 Elenique in the finale. The daughter of Leinster has been freshened up after her third-place effort against similar on May 9. The Patrick Biancone trainee has been consistent, but also a major money burner through seven starts. She has lost as the post-time favorite five times already and draws to the far outside in this MSW over the grass. I will use #4 Keepsake Box on the move back to the sod for Saffie Joseph and #3 Curly Sue. Trainer Jose D’Angelo has not had a great 2026, but has heated up at in Florida of late. He is 5 for 12 with a $3.64 ROI over the last 15 days and gives this daughter of Curlin her first chance to go long and compete over the lawn. She certainly has the upside still to get the job done.