EXTRA INCENTIVES$2,500 Hit & Split Late Pick 5 | Saratoga | Friday-Saturday-Sunday offered$5,000 Hit & Split Triple Tri | Los Alamitos | Friday-Saturday-Sunday racesKing’s Plate Flyaway Sweepstakes | Woodbine | earn up to 4 entries todaySCHEDULE NOTESLos Alamitos | closing day of meetTOURNAMENT TIME$500 Los Alamitos Challenge | details$40 Monmouth Feeder | details$40 Canterbury Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 6 | $185,091 | Saratoga | begins Race 4 | 2:56 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $58,051 | Los Alamitos | begins Race 6 | 6:19 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | $63,059 (CAN) | Woodbine | Race 12 | 6:56 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $121,892 | Prairie Meadows | begins Race 6 | 7:07 pm ETKEY RACESGulfstream | Race 7 | 3:38 pm ET | Proud Man StakesSaratoga | Race 6 | 4:04 pm ET | Kelso StakesEllis Park | Race 8 | 4:12 pm ET | Pea Patch StakesMonmouth | Race 7 | 4:16 pm ET | Monmouth County StakesWoodbine | Race 8 | 4:50 pm ET | Pink Lloyd StakesSaratoga | Race 8 | 5:12 pm ET | Harvey Pack StakesWoodbine | Race 10 | 5:56 pm ET | Ballade StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXEllis Park | Race 4 | 2:16 pm ETWoodbine | Race 7 | 4:17 pm ETSaratoga | Race 9 | 5:46 pm ETLos Alamitos | Race 8 | 7:17 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHChad Brown | Saratoga | 4 of 5 entrants 7-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Saratoga, Ellis | trainer Brendan Walsh | 3 wins, 2 seconds from 8 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Sunday PicksJeremy Plonk: Los Alamitos Triple Tri Hit & Split Promo Plays | Friday thru SundayBrian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The first Sunday of the Saratoga summer includes a carryover in the Pick 6 of $185,090 after the wager went unsolved on Saturday afternoon. The nine-race card kicks off at 1:10 PM eastern with the first steeplechase of the meeting followed by eight thoroughbred races. The Pick 6 commences in Race 4. Here are a few horses I like most over the course of the afternoon.Race 4:I will single #7 Holy Seven to kick off the first Pick 6 carryover of the meet. The $700k son of Into Mischief debuted at Churchill Downs back in mid-September for Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen. The FTS August ’24 purchase broke mid-pack before being four-wide during the middle stages of that 6-furlong dash over the main track. He moved into second as they turned for home, but tired chasing the winner to the wire and ended up finishing fourth beaten a little over a length. Asmussen opted to give Holy Seven lots of time after his solid debut before a long series of works this spring in Louisville. He has looked very good in the morning and returns in a 6.5-furlong dash in upstate New York. He should handle this compact field of seven without much issue assuming a move forward off his 2YO debut.Play: #7 Holy Seven (2-1 ML)Picks: 7-2-3Race 6: Kelso (G3)The pace should certainly be contentious in the first of two stakes races conducted over the grass to close the first week of the summer. #1 Zulu Kingdom may opt to try to stalk instead of show speed from the rail with #2 Maycocks Bay, #3 My Boy Prince, #7 Itsallcomintogetha, and #8 Mi Bago all drawn to his outside. The 5-2-ML favorite disappointed at odds-on in his return race and appears to have a much tougher task shortly after 4PM eastern this afternoon. I prefer backing a runner who should benefit off the probable race shape. Hall of Famer Bill Mott has a two-horse uncoupled entry that should be in the position to take advantage of an honest to fast first half mile. #11 Capitol Hill came with a strong run at a big price in the Poker (G3), but was unable to get to #5 Pass the Hat. Capitol Hill has a great kick and enters in the best form of his life. He might have been my play if he was not done so dirty at the draw, but the 11-hole makes his task that much tougher. On the other hand, Pass the Hat drew well giving him a big chance to make it three wins in a row. The son of Collected was forced to keep Zulu Kingdom honest in his win last month, but should be able to settle mid-pack off a brisker first half mile in the Kelso. The Pin Oak Stud runner has one of the best kicks in the field and proved he can handle this course just a month ago. Johnny V sticks was aboard for the first time last out. He is back aboard for the Sunday feature.Play: #5 Pass the Hat (6-1 ML)Picks: 5-11-8Race 8: Harvey PackMy final play of the day comes in this $200k turf sprint for 4YOs+ where I will try #3 Possiblemente. The son of Tale of Ekati makes his third start of the form cycle for trainer Joe Sharp after a Grade 3 win over the all-weather at Woodbine on May 30. Prior to that, the 6YO gelding ran better than looks when taking on some of the best in the division on Derby Day in the Turf Sprint (G2). He found himself last early, but came with a solid run late to split the field and lost by a little over a length at odds of 21-1. He galloped out with a ton of interest, which should set him up for a big run in his first start over the Saratoga sod. The fact trainer Joe Sharp attracts Jose Ortiz does little to hurt his chances in a race named for one of the most iconic folks in New York Racing Association history.Play: #3 Possiblemente (4-1 ML)Picks: 3-7-1

\ Northfield Park begins the week with a 15-race card and the $1.00 Late Pick 4 with a $10,000 guaranteed pool starts in Race 11. My Spot Plays are in Race 2, Race 9, and Race 13. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 2 (6:22 PM EDT)9-Don't Take My Keys (5/2)-Recent races versus better including Open company have been dull. Has started with an outside post draw in the last 5 races and now drops to the lowest level in quite a while. This is a spot to wake up and did beat better on 4-12 from the 9-hole. Regular pilot Chris Lems returns after missing the last race and that should help chances. Plus, there is some gate speed inside, that won't hurt and this is a beatable field. Will likely be bet and will use on top in Exactas with a 7/2, 6/1 and 7-1 horse underneath.#9-Don't Take My Keys in Exactas 9/3,5,79-3-5Race 9 (8:56 PM EDT)7-Looks Like Moni (12-1)-Meadows shipper was hung the mile last week against Open Handicap company. Makes the 2nd start in the Jason McGinnes barn and the Stable.ca entry did miss a race before the last outing. Now, comes back in sequence, Dan Noble takes the lines, has gate speed, and will look for a smoother trip from start to finish. There are other droppers in this field but could be sitting on big try in the 2nd race in town. Banked over $147,000 in 2025 and its Nfld record is (3-1-0-0). Noble doesn't usually steer for this barn, so not thinking the morning line holds up but still should be a solid price.Playing #7 Looks Like Moni in a Win Bet7-3-4Race 13 (10:24 PM EDT)2-Racing Rampage (3-1)-Makes its season debut after 2 sharp qualifiers at Dela. Yonkers shipper was cashing checks against stronger competition before being put away in mid-December. Has hit the board in 4 of 6 at Nfld with 2 pictures. Qualified without Lasix and will race that way tonight. Could get on the point or land in the pocket and either can work for a picture. Will use on top in Exactas with a 9/2, 7/2 and a 5-1 shot.2-4-7Playing Racing Rampage on top in Exactas 2/4,7,9Check me out on X!

Happy Independence Day! Good luck on the holiday cards today.EXTRA INCENTIVES$2,500 Hit & Split Late Pick 5 | Saratoga | Friday-Saturday-Sunday offered$5,000 Hit & Split Triple Tri | Los Alamitos | Friday-Saturday-Sunday racesKing’s Plate Flyaway Sweepstakes | Woodbine | earn up to 4 entries todaySCHEDULE NOTESBelterra | early 11:15 am ET first postColonial Downs | cancelledMonmouth Park | cancelledTOURNAMENT TIME$1000 Saratoga BCBC Qualifier | details$40 Horseshoe Indianapolis Feeder | details$40 Canterbury Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 6 | $17,051 | Los Alamitos | begins Race 4 | 5:32 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | $56,288 (CAN) | Woodbine | Race 11 | 6:41 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $113,476 | Prairie Meadows | begins Race 6 | 7:07 pm ETKEY RACESSandown | Race 4 | 10:35 am ET | Coral-Eclipse StakesSaratoga | Race 5 | 2:54 pm ET | Sanford StakesSaratoga | Race 7 | 4:06 pm ET | Belmont OaksEllis Park | Race 8 | 4:12 pm ET | Dade Park DashSaratoga | Race 8 | 4:42 pm ET | SuburbanGulfstream | Race 9 | 4:47 pm ET | Soldier’s Dancer StakesGulfstream | Race 10 | 5:16 pm ET | Smile Sprint StakesSaratoga | Race 9 | 5:20 pm ET | Belmont DerbyPrairie Meadows | Race 4 | 6:15 pm ET | Prairie Meadows Gold Futurity (AQHA)Los Alamitos | Race 8 | 7:43 pm ET | Great Lady M StakesEvangeline Downs | Race 8 | 9:40 pm ET | John Henry StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXSaratoga | Race 6 | 3:29 pm ETEllis Park | Race 9 | 4:42 pm ETLos Alamitos | Race 5 | 6:03 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHKevin Attard | Woodbine | all 8 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Saratoga | jockey Jose Ortiz | 4 wins, 1 second from 9 opening day mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMTimeform/GBI: Sandown’s Coral-Eclipse Day Wager GuideScott Shapiro: Saratoga Full-Card PicksJeremy Plonk: Los Alamitos Triple Tri Hit & Split Promo Plays | Friday thru SundayScott Shapiro: Ellis Park Opening Day Turf Pick 3 PlayJeremy Plonk: Race of the Week – Smile Sprint at GulfstreamFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

They had to wait a couple of extra days due to mother nature, but later today Henderson, Kentucky celebrates the start of the Ellis Park meeting. The stand runs on a Friday-Sunday schedule through August 23 with a daily first post of 12:50 PM eastern time. The wagering menu is similar to past years with the $3 All-Turf Pick 3 being my favorite wager of the summer at the “Pea Patch.” Here are my thoughts on the first one of the meet, which kicks off with a first-level allowance and includes the featured Dade Park Dash.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 6:Grade: B-Main Ticket: 1 Doctrine; 3 Exonerate; 2 Patrol Squad SixBackups: NoneForecast: The sequence gets started with a competitive 1 1/16-mile event where I will oppose the two colts expected to take the most money based on the morning line. #4 Zakinthos added blinkers for the first time on June 5 at Churchill Downs for Brian Lynch and showed strong speed from the gate under jockey Rafael Bejarano. The shades stay intact and Bejarano stays in the saddle, but I will try to beat the Amerman Racing Stables colt that has burnt a good deal of money already. I also expect #9 Prepped to take a lot of public support for trainer Cherie DeVaux. He showed a strong turn of foot to break his maiden two months ago, but bypassed a stake last weekend in Louisville and lacks early speed. I will use the three inside horses equally in hopes of besting the ML favorites to kick things off. Both #1 Doctrine and #2 Patrol Squad Six have the tactical speed to find favorable forward position, while #3 Exonerate should be able to save ground throughout under Jaime Torres. Hopefully, one of them springs the upset to get things started.Race 8: Dade Park DashGrade: B-Main Ticket: 4 Tiz Mary’s Comet; 5 Trouble CallingBackups: NoneForecast: The first stakes race of the summer at the “Pea Patch” is a 5.5-furlong turf dash for 3YOs where Donamire Farm homebred #5 Trouble Calling aims to make it two wins in a row for Greg Foley after handling an allowance field at Churchill Downs on June 7. The son of Dialed In saved ground early and pulled away late suggesting the move to the grass was not an issue. He got a good trip that day and took advantage. I have no real knocks other than his likely off odds, but the longest shot on the board also intrigues. #4 Tiz Mary’s Comet makes his first start for trainer Joe Sharp after six starts over the main track. The Louisiana-bred could have chose other roads, but Sharp opts to give her a shot on the grass versus stakes foes to see what he has. I will take the decision and more so his gate speed as positives. There is a shot the son of Good Samaritan finds himself loose on the lead under Axel Concepcion. He offers to much intrigue to not take a small swing with if he stays at double-digit odds.Race 9:Grade: B-Main Ticket: 2 SumoodBackups: 1 Master ControllerForecast: The card and first All-Turf Pick 3 of the meeting conclude with this second-level allowance event at 1 1/8-miles over the Ellis grass where there is not much speed signed on. I am hopeful that benefits the two inside runners. #2 Sumood is my top choice. The Shadwell Stable gelding has been consistent, but a bit camera shy through eight starts. He should get a favorable voyage under jockey Ben Curtis given the draw and the field he competes against. The stretch out to 9-furlongs benefits his chances as much as anyone. #1 Master Controller is more of a wild card. The son of Tapiture has only raced over the grass once and it came at 7-furlongs at Kentucky Downs on debut, so the move back to the sod is a question. That said, he draws the rail and has more speed than most in this group. Perhaps jockey Chris Emigh can use both to his advantage and get the jump on his rivals. At his price, he is absolutely worth including at some level.

EXTRA INCENTIVES$2,500 Hit & Split Late Pick 5 | Saratoga | Friday-Saturday-Sunday offered$5,000 Hit & Split Triple Tri | Los Alamitos | Friday-Saturday-Sunday racesSCHEDULE NOTESSaratoga | opening day | first post 1:10 pm ETPresque Isle | early 12:30 pm ET first postCharles Town | late 8 pm ET first postMonmouth | cancelledColonial Downs | cancelledBelterra Park | cancelledEllis Park | cancelledDelaware Park | cancelledWoodbine | cancelledTOURNAMENT TIME$100 NYRA Feeder | details$40 Canterbury Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $103,355 | Prairie Meadows | begins Race 5 | 6:46 pm ETKEY RACESGulfstream | Race 6 | 3:06 pm ET | Sharp Susan StakesPresque Isle Downs | Race 7 | 3:46 pm ET | Karl Boyes StakesSaratoga | Race 8 | 5:07 pm ET | Wild Applause StakesPrairie Meadows | Race 2 | 5:26 pm ET | Keokuk Stakes (AQHA)Saratoga | Race 9 | 5:41 pm ET | Schuylerville StakesPrairie Meadows | Race 3 | 5:52 pm ET | Hawkeye Futurity (AQHA)Saratoga | Race 10 | 6:15 pm ET | Saranac StakesEvangeline Downs | Race 8 | 9:40 pm ET | Opelousas StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXGulfstream | Race 1 | 12:20 pm ETSaratoga | Race 11 | 6:49 pm ETEvangeline Downs | Race 4 | 7:51 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHAnthony Farrior | Charles Town | all 5 entrants 9-2 or less odds (4 at 5-2 or less)DID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Canterbury Park | trainer Mac Robertson | 3 wins, 1 second from 4 startersYesterday | Charles Town | favorites won all 8 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Opening Day Spot PlaysFrank Carulli: Gulfstream Late Pick 4 for FridayJeremy Plonk: Los Alamitos Triple Tri Hit & Split Promo Plays | Friday thru SundayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Northfield Park has a 15-race card. The Spot Plays for tonight are in Race 2, Race 8, and Race 14. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 2 (6:22 PM EDT)7-Bestiesforresties (5-1)-The last 2 starts came on a sloppy track and cashed smaller checks. Hasn't hit the board in 4 tries on a wet surface but has hit the board in 3 of 9 at HoP with 1 picture. Stays at the same level, did come a game 3rd from the 9-hole and didn't have the best of trips. Posted a win 3 back starting from post 1. Will look for better on a fast track at a square price.9-Tella Babe (8-1)-This 5-year-old makes only its 4th lifetime start and could offer a juicy price. Just about came to a stop back in April in its debut. Lost all chance with broken equipment on 6-7 and then went off-stride in the slop on 6-14. Braiden Rhoades drove in a qualifier on 6-25 and finished 3rd on a "Good" track. Tried to go gate to wire and faded but did stay flat. Will look to beat the 3/2 choice, #4-Ms Marshamarsha. Showed improvement in the last tune-up and will use with one above in Exactas versus a suspect field.7-9-4Exactas 7,9/4 and 7/9 BoxRace 8 (8:34 PM EDT)2-Win After Whisky (5-1)-The 3-year-old has looked good since arriving in town (3-1-2-0). Likes to go gate to wire and tried that plan in last but faded. Odds-on chalk could make amends tonight at a square price and will look for better here. Raced last on 6-20, but that start came after a sick scratch and was off almost a month.2-3-1Playing #2 Win After Whiskey to WinRace 14 (10:46 PM EDT)7-Crosswinds Sweetpe (7-1)The John Ciocca trainee posted 8 wins last year and is only 1-8 in 2026. But should offer a price and may have met a beatable field. Came off the bench 3 back on 7-7, and was in too deep. Then dropped to a soft spot and popped on a sloppy track. Missed a start, then made a double step up and didn't cash a check racing in the slop again. Has the gate speed to be forwardly placed and on the drop in class can be a player with a sharp steer.7-2-3Using #7 Crosswinds Sweetpe in a Win Bet.Check me out on X!

Lock into Los Alamitos this Friday, Saturday and Sunday for a $5,000 Hit & Split promotion with a twist. Our Triple Tri promo typically rewards those who can hit 3 trifectas on a card – but this time you’ve got 3 cards in which to land that same number of successful trifectas. Land 3 in any 3-day fashion (1 each day or all 3 in a single card or something in-between) to collect your share of $5,000 in additional funds.• Win your share of $3,000 in bonus cash when you hit three or more trifectas ($1 base minimum) on three or more separate races on the above promotional track across all 3 promotional days.• An extra $2,000 in bonus cash will be awarded to the player(s) who hits the most $1 base trifectas across all three promotional days.• Be sure to register at Xpressbet and 1/ST BET for the promotions.I’ll offer my most likely trifecta look for each day of the promotion. Let’s get to work!Friday: Los Alamitos | Race 3 | 5:02 pm ETFrom a promotional gameplay mindset, a shorter field can be an easier spot to pick up necessary Triple Tri scores and keep your budget down. While parimutuel race payouts will be shorter in a smaller field, the additional bonus potential adds benefit. This 6-horse claiming dash should run through Jeff Mullins’ #5 Aloha Dreamin or Richard Baltas’ #6 Shop Till You Drop.The ticket: 5,6 with 5,6,3 with 5,6,3,4 = $8 for a $1 play//Saturday: Los Alamitos | Race 8 | 7:43 pm ETThe featured Great Lady M Stakes provides 2-time defending champ #1 Sweet Azteca a safe haven of sorts for her first start in 11 months. She’s been a laser over this track. #5 Grand Slam Smile runs well around 1 turn or 2, turf or dirt and is 18-for-21 in the exacta lifetime with a high trust factor. Again, we’re looking for the safest plays with the least output for accumulating the Triple Tri scores, not necessarily the best-paying returns in-race.The ticket: 1 with 5 with ALL = $5 for $1 play//Sunday: Los Alamitos | Race 6 | 6:30 pm ETThe final 5 races on the Sunday card have 12 entries apiece, so you’ll want to secure your Triple Tri victories before then if seeking the easiest path. This 8-runner lineup includes well-drawn #3 Cecilia Street for a Leonard Powell barn that has gone 34: 11-5-5 (32% wins, $2.07 ROI for every $1 bet) at Los Al the last 5 years during this summer meet. I’ll key this filly on top and feather in a few options underneath in the trifecta.The ticket: Key 2 over 3,4,6 = $6 for $1 play