Take down exactas in at least 5 races Saturday at Woodbine and claim your share of $3,000 in bonus cash with the 1/ST BET and Xpressbet Exacta-Thon. The 13-race program on King’s Plate Day gets underway at 12:30 pm ET. Players can make as many exacta wagers as desired in any races but note promotion minimums are $2 per combination.Here are the big-stakes approaches I’ll be looking at for the Exacta-Thon.Woodbine Race 6 | $150,000 Soaring Free StakesLoved the finishing flair by #7 De la Renta in her debut on Tapeta and she’s bred for the turf. Trainer Kevin Attard won this race last year with a similar Tapeta debut winner and can press repeat. Exactas 7 with 2,6,8.Woodbine Race 7 | $175,000 Bold Venture Stakes#8 Notorious Gangster gets a fantastic pace set-up to kick home late and note he’s won 3 of his last 4 starts around 1 turn. Exactas 8 with 2,5,6.Woodbine Race 8 | $200,000 Canadian StakesThere’s a reasonable chance #1 Lupa gets loose on the lead from the rail and it could be a big day for trainer Josie Carroll’s barn. Like this one’s chances to hold first or second. Exacta key-box 1 with 6,7,4.Woodbine Race 9 | $150,000 Catch a Glimpse StakesPricey winners at 11-1 have won this race 2 years in a row, so don’t be afraid to step out. #1 Liberty Beach showed excellent improvement in her second start and first against the gals and has trained well on turf since. That 6-1 morning line appeals. Key to a price here with #3 Meloni and #5 Ghost Me respected. Exactas 1,3 with 1,3,5.Woodbine Race 10 | $1 million King’s Plate StakesEven-money chalk #1 Luster could continue a strong run for fillies in the Plate, but the 10-furlong distance is the question that will keep me from accepting a short price. Her trainer, Josie Carroll, has route-gened longshot #6 Don Ique on my radar after a big gallop-out in the Plate Trial. At 30-1 morning line, have to get some win money there. As for exactas, 6-1 box bigger; smaller key-box 6 with 5,8,10,12.Woodbine Race 11 | $200,000 King Edward StakesDefending champ #3 Gas Me Up makes her annual summer pilgrimage back from California to the Kevin Attard barn. Not wild about the 8-5 price on top but from an Exacta-Thon standpoint, that’s not the concern. Exactas 3 with 2,4,1.

EXTRA INCENTIVESWoodbine Mile Flyaway Sweepstakes | earn up to 4 entries todaySCHEDULE NOTESEllis Park | racing cancelled due to heatTOURNAMENT TIME$100 Saratoga Feeder | details$80 Del Mar Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $84,294 | Charles Town | begins Race 3 | 8:02 pm ETKEY RACESSaratoga | Race 9 | 5:44 pm ET | Smart and Fancy StakesPenn National | Race 1 | 5:45 pm ET | Marshall Jenny StakesPenn National | Race 2 | 6:14 pm ET | Crowd Pleaser StakesPenn National | Race 3 | 6:43 pm ET | PA Governor’s Cup StakesPrairie Meadows | Race 10 | 9:51 pm ET | Debutante StakesHoosier Park (harness) | Race 13 | 10:06 pm ET | Dan Patch Stakes | Cimaglia PicksLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXDelaware Park | Race 7 | 3:33 pm ETColonial Downs | Race 7 | 3:36 pm ETDel Mar | Race 6 | 7:36 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHDoug O’Neill | Del Mar | all 7 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?This Week | Saratoga | favorites won 12 for 18 so farPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Spot Plays for FridayJeremy Plonk: Del Mar Spot Plays for FridayFrank Carulli: Penn National All-Stakes Pick 3 Analysis for FridayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

It's a similar, 8-race card as to Thursday’s, alternating dirt and turf races evenly throughout the menu. Feel more solid about the early portion of the card than late, so an early pick 5 might be in the crosshairs with morning line favorite #3 Stanford Dropout a deserving single in the Race 1 opener. First post is 5 pm ET / 2 pm PT.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).Del Mar: Race 3 | 6:02 pm ET#2 Circuit Breaker (7-2 morning line odds) has the best maiden win on paper for $30,000 claiming at Churchill. His 3: 1-2-0 dirt record is soiled by some poor efforts on turf and synthetic, but he’s right where he belongs. Clear-cut second last out behind a wire-to-wire winner and catches a field in which he should get a dynamite, inside trip under Juan Hernandez. Win bet #2. Daily Double 2-4. Picks 2-3-6.Del Mar: Race 4 | 6:34 pm ET#4 Mubtadaa (6-1 morning line odds) hasn’t routed in some time but was credible going long here vs. much tougher in the past and exits a series of even-running sprints that should play well Friday. Modest pace projected and should be involved throughout this one. Class drop suits. Win bet #4. Picks 4-1-10.Del Mar: Race 6 | 7:36 pm ET#4 Lucky N Smart (9-2 morning line odds) goes for a Carla Gaines barn that’s hot-and-cold historically and on a good run right now. No surprise to double down on wins at the meet after flashing late to break his maiden last out off a 2-year hiatus. Speed figures don’t impress like some here, but much of that other flash has come on dirt from his rivals. Win bet #4. Exacta box 4-1. Picks 4-1-8.

After a Thursday of racing that saw all formful results, Saratoga Race Course returns to action on Friday afternoon for a ten-race card that is headlined by the $200k Smart and Fancy run at 5.5-furlongs over the grass. Here are a few horses I like most later today in New York.Race 7:The pace in this 1 1/8-mile event over the main track for open $16k claimers should be honest. I expect most of the public to therefore understandably look to #7 Glen Airy as the likeliest to take advantage. The Sky Mesa gelding drops in class for Mike Maker, gets Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle, and has the right running style. That said, he will be a short price and is not proven at the nine-furlong distance. On the other hand, #9 Apaita is. The son of Authentic makes his first start since late June and third off the claim for trainer Ilkay Kantarmaci. He has won 3 of 5 at today’s 1 1/8-mile distance and gets a positive rider upgrade to Manny Franco after clipping heels after the start of the race on June 28 costing him several lengths on a day where speed was good and the 2-1-winner took advantage. The post is not ideal, but Franco has been riding well and should have no issue angling over and saving ground in the rear. I expect a strong late run in his first start of the Saratoga summer meeting.Play: #9 Apaita (9-2 ML)Picks: 9-7-8Race 8:This second-level allowance event at 7-furlongs over the main track drew a compact, but solid group of veteran sprinters, including my top choice #7 Bold Strength. The Juddmonte colt makes his first start off a seven-week freshening for trainer Brad Cox after a dominant win under the twin spires of Churchill Downs in late June. I expect things to go similar to how they did that day for this Constitution colt who broke well, stalked the inside speed early, and took control when they turned for home. He meets a stronger field this afternoon, but one he should handle assuming Irad Ortiz is able to find a similar tracking position off #2 Contrary Thinking and #4 Vibrant Express as he did in most recent start in Louisville. If so, he should make it two wins in a row.Play: #7 Bold Strength (3-1 ML)Picks: 7-2-3Race 9: Smart and FancyThe featured turf sprint is for fillies and mares 3YOs+ and is led by 2-1-ML favorite #9 Zeitlos. The veteran Steve Asmussen trainee has earned all nine of his wins over the main track, but has three runner-up efforts over the grass, including his second straight in the Caress (G2) last out. He retains hot riding Jose Ortiz, but as always will need the right setup to be at his best. I prefer a gal that is all but certain to get the jump on him in #6 Miss Vyvyanne. The Florida-bred has to prove herself in New York going a bit further than her preferred five panels and with #6 Itzel likely on her flank throughout, but trainer Gail Cox does not waste starters. Cox has sent out 35 runners to date this year with 7 winning for a positive ROI. She brings regular rider Pietro Moran to town. I expect a big run from the Florida-bred mare.Play: #6 Miss Vyvyanne (5-2 ML)Picks: 6-1-9

Hoosier Park begins the weekend with a big 15-race card. The headliner rolls in Race 13, the Dan Patch Free-For-All with a $300,000 purse. The Spot Plays are in Race 8, Race 11, and Race 13. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 8 (8:11 PM EDT)6-A Cool Moment (9/2)-Shipped in from the Red Mile and landed in with some tough customers, as Little Rocket Man took top honors in 150.0. The 6-year-old knows its way to the HoP winner's circle (41-10-7-5). Comes back in sequence and the team Putman entry should relish the company.6-5-3Race 11 (9:20 PM EDT)9-Captain Arturovico (4-1)-This is Dexter Dunn's pick over the #1 and #5. Shipped in from Kentucky, faced Open company and drew the 8-hole. Left hard and got the top into a 26.1 opening quarter, lost it and then wasn't able to close. The post helps the price, gets Dunn, and has banked over $204,000 in 2026. Will look for better in its 2nd start in town and has the gate speed to land in a good early seat.9-3-4Race 13 (10:06 PM EDT)7-Prince Hal Hanover (7-1)-Cashes checks versus this company on a regular basis and raced big in last to come 2nd in the McKee Memorial. This will be its HoP debut, but Hal always seems to travel well and will hope the morning line price holds up. This looks like a main player that only needs a smooth trip from its usual pilot Todd McCarthy to cash the top check.7-6-3Check me out on X!

This Saturday’s card is not necessarily as star-powered as last weekend’s Whitney Day extravaganza, but there is plenty of great action to take part in at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet nonetheless. The 12-race card is headlined by the Christophe Clement (G1) at 12-furlongs over the Inner Turf. The feature goes as Race 9 and makes up the second leg of the late Pick 5. Here are my thoughts on the entire card.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: B-Use: 5 Antietam; 6 SalmingForecast: The pace should be contentious in this $30k non-winners of three claiming event over the main track. This should bode well for those that can settle early and finish with energy. #6 Salming is the obvious runner. The 5YO gelding makes his first start off the claim for Linda Rice after an easy win from off-the-pace going away on July 24. If he can avoid regression off the class hike, he should be tough, but the tote will show that as well, so I will take a swing with #5 Antietam. The Curlin colt has not paid off his sales price, but could relish the cutback to a sprint after a pair of nine-furlong races to start the summer meeting. He is almost certain to be last early, but also should be rolling late if I am right about the race shape.Race 2:Grade: B-Use: 5 Santis; 3 Saratoga Tee; 4 Mindfield; 8 Upper Echelon; 7 Big HandsomeForecast: A challenging state-bred MSW event at six-furlongs over the main track kicks off the early Pick 4 where there are a few ways I considered going, but in the end went with the biggest price #5 Santis. Trainer Mike Maker has quietly had a solid summer and is 4 for 17 with a $4.08 ROI over the last three years with 2YOs making their first start over the Saratoga dirt. Maker sends out this son of Epicenter who is out of a Majesticperfection mare that has already produced a pair of debut runners. Santis is likely to get a bit overlooked in the wagering with plenty of other solid options for horseplayers.Race 3:Grade: B-Use: 9 Sweet Redemption; 5 Nystateofmind; 8 Arawak; 6 J BuckForecast: A second division of 2YO state-bred special weights at six-panels follows where #4 Road Show is expected to be a heavy favorite off of his runner-up effort over this surface on debut on July 12. It was a solid first out performance for the Roadster colt, but he got a huge setup that day in a race that absolutely feel apart late. So, I will try to beat him with a few, including long shot #9 Sweet Redemption. Trainer James Ryerson is capable at the Spa with a price horse and has a chance to get one to the wire first with this son of Twirling Candy that was beaten handily by the chalk on debut, but had a much different voyage chasing the early pace. The racing experience and move to an outside draw should lead to a much-improved performance from this Dirico Racing homebred.Race 4:Grade: C+Use: 2 Lady Rose/5 Top of the TableForecast: Trainer Linda Rice has a strong 1-2-punch entered in this state-bred first-level allowance out of the Wilson chute with 9-5-favorite #2 Lady Rose and 3-1-second choice #5 Top of the Table. Lady Rose met a much stronger group at this level last out when she chased the pace of gate-to-wire winner Queens Cat early and tired late to finish fourth. She should perform much better on the stretch out versus this weaker bunch. If the chalk fails, stablemate Top of the Table is likely to be the one to beat her. She ships into Saratoga after shaking off the rust at Finger Lakes last month. Kendrick Carmouche is should have her in a prominent spot early.Race 5:Grade: C+Use: 2 Tongue Twister; 1 BertrilleForecast: #8 Considerate City enters this state-bred first-level allowance event over the Inner Turf as the heavy 8-5-ML favorite. This is understandable since she has finished ahead of the rivals in this group she has encountered recently and comes in off three consecutive runner-up efforts. The problem is her lack of speed. She always comes with a big run late, but often without her ever having a chance to win the race. No doubt, she has a shot to beat this group, but I am not willing to swallow the chalk on a horse whose lone win came via DQ last September. I will use the two inside runners. #1 Bertrille and #2 Tongue Twister both need to move forward off of their latest runs, but draw favorably along the inside and should get the jump on Considerate City at better prices.Race 6:Grade: C+Use: 2 V Formation; 5 Oneinamilliongirl 3 Libby LloydForecast: #8 Tumoohaat is listed as the 5-2-ML favorite in this six-furlong dash for 2YO fillies over the main track where I could talk for days given the pedigrees, sales prices, and barns with firsters. The Shadwell Stable filly is by star sire Into Mischief out of 2021 Kentucky Oaks winner Malathaat. Malathaat won at first asking going seven-furlongs and no doubt her first foal can win this race, but there are far too many well-bred horses in here to bet this likely short price.A couple of price options are intriguing. #5 Oneinamilliongirl selling for 60 times her stud fee and attracting Jose Ortiz is noteworthy, but she is likely to take some public support for her Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winning trainer. That said, she appears to be shipping in from Ellis Park with purpose. #2 V Formation is the runner I like that I do not expect to get bet. The $400k OBS April ’26 purchase must have looked the part commanding 40 times her sire’s stud fee in Ocala. She debuts for a barn without sparkling numbers with debut runners, but one that has won an open company MSW race with a first-time starter the last two years. She has a good shot to outrun her odds.Race 7:Grade: BUse: 3 No Evidence/4 Final VerdictForecast: There is a serious lack of early speed signed on in this second-level allowance sprinting over the grass, which should put #3 No Evidence in a good spot early. The son of Vekoma comes in off a win against lesser where she broke well, but was content to let two speeds to her inside battle. With the lack of zip in this one and an inside post, I expect Flavien Prat to get her into a favorable forward position and go from there. #4 Final Verdict is the one likely to be up there with her in the early stages, but not sure her speed will be as good from the gate exiting a two-turn race last month. These two though should be in a good spot to thrive given the likely race dynamics.Race 8:Grade: CUse: 3 Q B Rocket; 2 Card Man/8 Damavand; 5 Katz in the CradleForecast: This open company 2YO MSW event for the boys also came up strong, but I lack a strong opinion. #2 Card Man and #3 Q B Rocket both appear live at first asking for big barns, but are unlikely to provide much value. I have horses I slightly prefer over others if the two favorites do not fire, but not with much confidence, so I will tread lightly in the first leg of the late Pick 5.Race 9: Christophe Clement (G1)Grade: B-Use: 5 Fort George; 3 Ole Crazy BoneForecast: The featured event was called the Sword Dancer, but has been renamed in honor of the longtime New York based Hall of Fame conditioner. The race run over the Inner Turf is run at 1 �-miles and drew a compact field of seven led by the top three from last month’s Bowling Green (G2). #3 Ole Crazy Bone held on gamely to beat #5 Fort George with #6 Minaret Station finishing an off-the-pace third. I still think Minaret Station is the most-talented of the trio and in this field, but once again am concerned he will be up against it from a race shape perspective making his 3-1-price tough to swallow. I slightly prefer Fort George to Ole Crazy Bone in the rematch. He is capable of regressing second time in the States, but also has more of a ceiling at this point. A move forward and he gets to the wire first.Race 10: GalwayGrade: BUse: 4 Queen Juno; 2 Epic Lady LuckForecast: The other stakes race on the Saturday agenda is a 5.5-furlong turf dash for 3YO fillies and it appears wide open. I will take a swing with a couple of the bigger prices on David Aragona’s morning line. #4 Queen Juno is the higher price of the two Joe Sharp runners, but ran a better than looks second last out in the first start for her new barn. It appears to be a lesser spot at a quick glance, but that came against older runners and the winner was a buzz saw first off the plane from Australia. The fact Sharp brings her back on just two weeks rest I take as a positive at this price. #2 Epic Lady Luck is also intriguing. Trainer George Weaver has become one of the best turf sprint conditioners in the country. He sends out this Vekoma filly for her first start in his care and since a strong third at Gulfstream Park in January. This gal has a better chance of running well than the tote will suggest.Race 11:Grade: C+Use: 4 Celtic Prince; 2 Calling CardForecast: #2 Calling Card was made the understandable 5-2-ML favorite in this state-bred starter out of the Wilson chute. He has run the fastest races and makes his first start off the claim for owner/trainer Linda Rice. My only concern is how he takes to his first trip out of the new(ish) configuration. I do not have that much else against this gelding, but prefer the likely price of #4 Celtic Prince. The Keri Brion trainee returns to New York to take on fellow NY-breds after competing in the Mid-Atlantic in his last three starts. He lacks class, but I like his running style for this course. Plus, he attracts Irad for his first Saratoga start.Race 12:Grade: C+Use: 3 D C Boy’s; 1 Before the Wind; 4 Osiris LawForecast: Backers of 5-2-ML favorite #8 Gilbane in his start in late July have to still be sick to their stomach about losing at over 5-1, but that does not make him a cinch in this spot. In fact, it feels like last time was the time to me since he had a great trip and now moves to an outside post. I will try to beat him with a few, including #3 D C Boy’s. The son of Bolt d’Oro has not lived up to expectations or close as a 5YO, but does make his first start going long on the grass for Mike Maker. He will not have to be much to get the best of this state-bred maiden claiming group on the lawn to close the day.

The fifth Saturday of the Del Mar stand presents a pair of minor listed stakes in Races 6 and 8 on a 10-race card that gets underway at 5 pm ET. But it’s the Race 7 maiden for 2-year-olds that intrigues most as a potential springboard to the Del Mar Futurity.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 is Saturday).Del Mar Race 1 | maidenModest field of 6 to open as #6 Harmonique makes her second start of the year and should match up well after facing the boys here last year and facing eventual G1 La Brea winner Usha in separate Del Mar appearances. Jockey Joel Rosario has put together consecutive weeks riding at a higher level than we’ve seen him at in some time. #5 Wolf Hill is 8-for-9 among minor placings and 0-3 as an odds-on favorite. The one to beat but has had plenty of chances (cold barn makes short price-shopping even less appealing). #1 Apples Y Peaches adds blinkers in a third try at fending off the likely favorite and gets a favorable draw. Picks 6-5-1.Del Mar Race 2 | maidenSeven of 8 runners exit just 2 races, July 25 or 26 affairs, the former a dirt sprint and the latter a turf route that would seem the more apples-to-applies application Saturday. #4 Wildcatter was well-bet at 7-2 in the turf mile last out and ran credible while suffering a wide trip from the outside post. Moves in and has a sharp 47-2/5 drill since. Dam Wild At Heart was a second-start winner for Richard Mandella and her son will try to do the same for the same outfit. #3 Whiskey Bridge didn’t run as well as projected in his debut for Doug O’Neill after I loved what he showed on video going into that dirt sprint July 25. Half-brother to this year’s San Felipe runner-up and Kentucky Derby/Preakness alum Robusta doesn’t scream turf but should route. I’ll lean heavily on this pair. Picks 4-3-2.Del Mar Race 3 | claimingUnappealing group of 6 on paper lacks quality and quantity to get too excited. But you’ll need to navigate this in the early pick 5 if playing. #8 Van Cougar makes a drastic class drop that might be enough to best these, but a 3-week gap in the workout tab after a July 19 bullet does raise some red flags. #1 B Grayson should be running late and has 6 straight superfecta finishes when running sprint distances like this. #2 Lead Pipe Joe won back-to-back in Spring ’25 before going on the shelf. He’s worked fast but just once in the last 5 weeks and has obvious issues like many of these, not excluding #5 Will Be, who returns from an 11-length victory a mere 14 months ago for hot-going Phil D’Amato. Picks 6-1-2-5.Del Mar Race 4 | maidenBrian Koriner barn is cooking right now and #10 Fair Question just missed in a similar spot to open the meet at 14-1 odds. Also outran 37-1 price here in a similar spot last summer and should be tough vs. a modest group. My most clear-cut choice in the front half of the card and a deep field size to key in exotics intra-race. #4 Mo Diamentes has a strong debut tab and is worth a look in the paddock/post parade and on the tote; Mike Puype barn has been icy at the meet. Picks 10/4-12-11-7-9Del Mar Race 5 | starter / optional claimingJust a field of 7 but the outside 4 runners all figure to lock up in a pace battle, setting the table for a runner who can show a bit of patience. #3 Egyptian Mistress has been exclusively turf in 7 career starts, but Cairo Prince offspring win a strong 19% on the Del Mar dirt in recent years and this one could be traveling best late. #4 Miss Hellfire blew away Santa Anita maidens in her debut May 30, but her runner-up was a dull sixth earlier in the Del Mar meet vs. a slightly weaker optional claiming group. #7 Bourbon and Spice has been consistent in Kentucky and Indiana but it’s difficult to trust that form continues on a barn change to a cold Leonard Powell. Lean on the top pair for the early/late pace tactic. Picks 3-4-7.Del Mar Race 6 | $150,000 Solana Beach StakesBig field of 12 and quality stakes veterans provide the best betting race on the program. #5 Take Another Card is 4: 1-3-0 in California-bred stakes and runs well short or long, at Santa Anita or Del Mar. #6 Grand Slam Smile is the defending champ in the Solana Beach, wiring last year at 6-5 odds and she’s got one way to motor: fast early. It’s worked for her with a remarkable 6: 5-1-0 in Cal-bred stakes. She should get pace pressure from #4 Liberation, #7 Can’t Sleep and #8 Clubhouse Cutie, the latter pair drawn just to her outside to turn up the heat. #9 Wink and a Grin rallied last to fourth in this race last year and gets a more favorable pace set-up Saturday. Broke her maiden going sprint-to-route and second start of her form cycle like this and Carla Gaines’ horses are firing right now. Really working in the 5,9 combinations in the exotics spots intra-race. Picks 5-6-9.Del Mar Race 7 | maidenAll eyes will be on $2.1 million Flightline rookie #5 Inshallah, a son of Breeders’ Cup F&M Sprint winner Bar of Gold. The John Sadler trainee has worked right on cue since arriving at the track in June. My video study of his works indicates that he’s got a touch of greenness still to him and there’s a turfy stride that might be a card to play down the road. But there’s also a wow factor. He’s been working with older horses and looked devastating at times. If not the likely chalk, Bob Baffert went 4-4 at Del Mar last week and his maidens are typically potent in the juvenile races. #1 Emancipate and #3 Absolution rep the barn here. Emancipate is a half-brother to Hope Road, a Grade 1 winner at age 4 who dropped all 3 local juvenile decisions in 2023. He has been working with some barn beasts like Hughes, winner of the Best Pal last week. Absolution has shown to be a very clean breaker on video at 1st.tv and not speed-crazy. Neither would shock. All that talent said, the play could be debut runner #8 Domenici as he likely gets overlooked among the big names. He’s ready-made, costing $350K this April despite $12,500 sire Early Voting. His dam Bruised Orange was a Wesley Ward win-early baby dash winner at 2 at Keeneland. And, wow, what a work July 12 at Santa Anita from the gate when staying toe-to-toe with elder Listenupshance, who would win the Bing Crosby Stakes earlier this Del Mar meeting. The value player in me will be drawn to him, despite the uphill test that likely looms. Picks 8-5-1-3.Del Mar Race 8 | $100,000 CTT and TOC StakesDespite a 1-3/8 miles distance, you could surmise that 6 of these 11 entrants are essentially miler-types and the distance will be a massive hurdle. That’s not the case for #5 Vronti, loaded with European stamina pedigree and a Saratoga runner-up last out at this 11-furlong trip. The Graham Motion barn is popping all over the country right now and won last week’s Yellow Ribbon on the flight west to Del Mar. Looks to be a standout to me over the local cast and will be a multi-race wager single. #9 Kentucky Gal just might be better at Santa Anita than Del Mar, but feeling is she’ll run better than she did in this race a summer ago as the Phil D’Amato barn has been on point lately. #6 Resolve has 5 straight superfecta finishes in races 9 furlongs or longer and can get a share. Picks 5-9-6.Del Mar Race 9 | maiden claimingSix of these 11 basement-level maidens exit the same Del Mar race July 25 in which the winner rallied from last of 12 to win after 2 uncompetitive tries in maiden special weights. That a 52-1 and 30-1 rounded out the tri gives me bad vibes about that race and I’ll go to all fresh faces. #1 Captain Gabe faced much, much tougher in Kentucky and should be a standout at this class level for a Michael McCarthy barn that had a fast opening-weekend start and has hit the skids since. No excuses for this one as an obvious favorite. #2 Attack Now didn’t show anything locally over a mile, but his 1-turn races are solid and Doug O’Neill has been making all the right moves this meeting and removes blinkers. #6 Maxxander is a coinflip to use underneath off poor Gulfstream form at a higher class. Jose D’Angelo’s shippers have been hit-or-miss locally. Picks. 1-2-6.Del Mar Race 10 | allowance / optional claimingAnother big Kentucky class dropper could have run of the field late in the card Saturday when #8 Beyond Stoked brings stakes-placed turf miler form west. Three local works since settling in for high-percentage Brian Lynch. #11 Catch the Breeze had zero shot behind walking fractions here July 18 when rallying strong for third against the classy veteran Packs a Whallop. #9 Lyle the Crocodile has a couple minor stakes placings over this course and returns from a February layoff with a steady workout tab for a Phil D’Amato barn doing good things of late. Any of this trio makes sense and merit coverage in the multi-race bets. Picks 8-11-9.

Penn National’s Governor’s Cup weekend will start with a bang this Friday. Three turf stakes races kick off the nine-race card that begins with an 5:45 ET post time. The featured $150,000 Governor’s Cup is the final leg of a Pick 3 wager that shapes up with a suggested $24 ticket this way:Penn National Race 1 (5:45 p.m. EST)FLAMINGO WAY is firing bullets in the morning for his first start in five months. He won on soft footing on the Penn National lawn after six months away last June and projects a dream trip in the $75,000 Marhsall Jenney Stakes packed with speed. JEAN VALJEAN ranged up on the hard-dueling leaders in a 5-1/2F turf allowance at Saratoga but was out-kicked by Creditworthy (4-7, $264k), Grade 3 winner Clock Tower and multiple graded stakes winner and turf millionaire Nobals. FIERCE AND STRONG, a two-time stakes winner with an 8-for-18 record and $366k bankroll on his home course, remains a late-running threat despite dull form to start the year.Penn National Race 2 (6:14 p.m. EST)RED ZONE RUNNER, a runaway main-track stakes winner at this distance, arrives in the $75,000 Crowd Pleaser Stakes for 3-year-olds off a pair of solid turf efforts. He dueled hard and held okay after the favorites passed by him in a $40,000 optional claiming race two back, then he set all the fractions and drew away to a 5-3/4-length allowance victory at this distance. JES SEE ME won five of his last six starts going away, including three straight one-mile claiming races on the Tampa Bay Downs turf this spring by a combined 17-1/2 lengths.Penn National Race 3 (6:43 p.m. EST)AIR RECRUIT won four of six starts in photo finishes since last July, his first appearances since the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. He is the one to beat in the Governor’s Cup but will have to defeat several in-form shippers to do so. I’DRATHERBEBLESSED posted a dozen 86-plus Beyer speed figures in his last 19 starts to surpass a half million in turf earnings as he tries to give trainer Mike Maker back-to-back wins in the 1-1-1/16-mile race. VERSUS starts at his sixth grass course in the last year and is worth using at a price in the Pick 3. He ran down the pace-controlling, 9-to-5 second favorite to win an optional claiming race on a ‘good’ Monmouth Park course last out.Suggested $2 Pick 3PEN 1st Race: 3, 7PEN 2nd Race: 1, 8PEN 3RD Race: 1, 4, 7Cost for a $2 ticket: $24