EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $250, Get $25 | Kentucky Downs | today’s races$3,000 Exacta-Thon | Kentucky Downs | today’s racesSCHEDULE NOTESSaratoga, Del Mar, Colonial, Timonium, Emerald, Evangeline | closing day of meetTOURNAMENT TIME$2,000 Del Mar Closing Day Challenge | detailsFun in the Sun Final Table | $16K+ prize pool | qualifiers set | previewNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $98,079 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $52,080 | Monmouth | begins Race 3 | 1:49 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $315,161 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $89,692 (CAN) | Woodbine | begins Race 3 | 2:07 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $7,373 | Colonial Downs | begins Race 6 | 2:31 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | $104,692 (CAN) | Woodbine | Race 8 | 4:57 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $12,940 | Emerald Downs | begins Race 3 | 5:46 pm ETKEY RACESColonial | Race 6 | 2:31 pm ET | Rosie’s StakesColonial | Race 7 | 3:06 pm ET | Kitten’s Joy StakesColonial | Race 8 | 3:42 pm ET | Old Dominion OaksFinger Lakes | Race 7 | 3:49 pm ET | Arctic Queen StakesKentucky Downs | Race 7 | 4:00 pm ET | KD Juvenile Fillies StakesColonial | Race 9 | 4:18 pm ET | Old Dominion DerbyKentucky Downs | Race 8 | 4:36 pm ET | Lucky Lantern StakesFort Erie | Race 9 | 4:36 pm ET | Prince of Wales StakesSaratoga | Race 10 | 4:38 pm ET | Funny Cide StakesColonial | Race 10 | 4:52 pm ET | Colonial CupKentucky Downs | Race 9 | 5:10 pm ET | Gun Runner StakesSaratoga | Race 11 | 5:13 pm ET | Gio Ponti StakesColonial | Race 11 | 5:28 pm ET | Da Hoss StakesKentucky Downs | Race 10 | 5:45 pm ET | Mint Millions StakesKentucky Downs | Race 11 | 6:17 pm ET | Franklin-Simpson StakesDel Mar | Race 6 | 7:14 pm ET | I’m Smokin’ StakesAlbuquerque | Race 9 | 7:40 pm ET | All American Gold Cup (AQHA)Albuquerque | Race 10 | 8:15 pm ET | All American Futurity (AQHA)Del Mar | Race 9 | 8:44 pm ET | Mabee StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXKentucky Downs | Race 3 | 1:40 pm ETSaratoga | Race 8 | 3:28 pm ETColonial Downs | Race 9 | 4:18 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHBrad Cox | Kentucky Downs | 5 of 6 entrants 3-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Kentucky Downs | jockey Flavien Prat | 6 winsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Kentucky Downs Exacta-Thon PlaysScott Shapiro: Saratoga Monday Spot PlaysJeremy Plonk: Del Mar Monday Spot PlaysFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

It is hard to believe, but today marks Closing Day of the 2026 summer meeting at historic Saratoga Race Course. Racing on the New York Racing Association calendar will continue after a week off with the official opening of the newly renovated Belmont Park set for Friday, September 18. I will be covering the fall meeting when I return from a few days off of my own, but before we look ahead, it is time to focus on the 12-race card that gets started at 11:30 AM local time. Here are a few horses I like most on the day, including my top choice in the featured $200k Gio Ponti.Race 2:Trainer Chad Brown heads into Closing Day with a five-win lead over Linda Rice in the trainer standings. Brown sends out a strong 1-2-punch in this MSW event for 2YO fillies at six-furlongs over the main track with first-time starters #2 Ready Set Roll and #10 Heirsuta. Over the last 30 days, the Brown barn has sent out 17 2YO first-time starters in dirt sprints with five finding the wire first. One of those was Inalienable yesterday. The debut runner was hammered down to favoritism and won going away at odds of 8-5. Hopefully, the price will be twice as big on my top choice in this spot Ready Set Roll. The Upstart filly enters her first start after a long series of morning drills, mostly at Belmont Park. She is bred to win early being out of a Kantharos mare that has produced three foals prior to this gal. Two have won at first asking with one finishing second last summer at Horseshoe Indianapolis. She gets hot riding Manny Franco in the saddle and appears as live as anyone in this group at first asking.Play: #2 Ready Set Roll (3-1 ML)Picks: 2-3-10Race 7:Trainer Linda Rice is up against it to catch Chad Brown in the trainer standings, but has a shot to earn another victory in this six-furlong dash for 2YOs over the main track. #7 Dargham is a son of Army Mule that commanded $500k at the OBS March sale. The colt is out of a Speightstown mare that has produced three foals prior to this fella with one of them finding his way to the winner’s circle at first asking. Rice is not known for her prowess with juvenile firsters, but has proven capable with the right stock. She might have a fast one with this Kentucky-bred that comes in off a strong four-furlong breeze in 47.4 on August 30 and attracts Ricardo Santana Jr.Play: #7 Dargham (5-1 ML)Picks: 7-4-6Race 11: Gio PontiThe final stakes race of the meeting is this $200k race for 3YOs at one-mile over the Inner Turf where there does not appear to be that much early speed signed on. This should bode well for #7 Siyouincanada. The Joe Sharp trainee took advantage of a lone lead at odds of 16-1 on debut over the Churchill Downs grass, but has not had things quite as easy since shipping to New York to take on winners this summer. He was dueled into defeat in the Saranac on July 3 before being beaten to the front when encountering older runners for the first time in an allowance race over this course on August 6. The French-bred moves back into restricted 3YO company and should have the speed to control the tempo like he did on debut in Kentucky in late May. Kendrick Carmouche gets the leg up for the first time with Jose Ortiz set to ride at Kentucky Downs once again this afternoon.Play: #7 SiyouincanadaPicks: 7-4-8

The Labor Day racing weekend keeps working for you with the next-to-last card of the season at the 1/ST BET Kentucky Downs boutique turf meet. Monday’s main events include the $750K Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies in Race 7, the $1.75 million Gun Runner Stakes for sophomores in Race 9, the $2 million Mint Millions Invitational for milers in Race 10 and the $1.5 million Franklin-Simpson for 3-year-old sprinters in Race 11.The 1/ST BET and Xpressbet daily $3,000 Exacta-Thon continues. Be sure to register for your chance at the bonus cash with winning exactas ($2 minimum) in at least 3 of races.Kentucky Downs Race 2 | 1:05 pm ET#11 Pretty Patriotic (10-1 morning line) showed good speed while well-bet at 5-2 in her Ellis Park debut before fading. Bold placement by Tommy Drury instead of waiting for Churchill, and the Army Mule pedigree is what attracts me to this Kentucky Downs attempt. The sire is lights-out with his offspring locally, including a 5-1 winner here Sunday also via Ellis in the maiden ranks and a close-up 19-1 third-place finisher in stakes company Saturday. Win play and will use him with the experienced horses in the field and avoid the first-timers (debut runners just 17% in the exacta 11-65 at the meet).Exacta-Thon Play: Key-box 11 with 1,2,3,5,6Kentucky Downs Race 6 | 3:25 pm ET#8 My Stubborn Lassie (9-2 morning line odds) scratched off the also-eligible list Sunday at a mile and winds up in this 7-furlong spot over a trip at which she won last summer at KD. In a long line of Army Mule offspring who relish this course and I like that Ben Curtis has ridden her in all 4 starts at 4 different venues to date. Second start of the current form cycle, the same spot that produced last year’s win.Exacta-Thon Play: 8 over 3,12Kentucky Downs Race 11 | 6:17 pm ET#4 Oscar’s Hope (8-1 morning line odds) is a pure sprinter in a race loaded with milers cutting back in distance. He’s been effective on dirt and showed pace versatility last out at Saratoga when narrowly missing in the Mahony. Sire Twirling Candy’s offspring are fabulous at KD and he could take to it with a major chance.Exacta-Thon Play: 4 over 2,5,8,10,12

Closing day at Del Mar means mandatory payouts in all the pools (no major carryovers) and top west coast turf filly Thought Process a dominant choice in the featured Grade 2 John C. Mabee. Hope you’ve enjoyed the daily horses to watch and weekly featured full-card picks throughout the meet.Del Mar: Race 4 | 6:11 pm ET#4 Dottie Hinson (4-1 morning line odds) can keep yet another big closing week at Del Mar rolling for trainer Andy Mathis. He’s done it in the past and doing it this weekend with multiple wins. Winner over the track last summer never got to save a step last time from an outer draw and should be tighter today and should appreciate the extra distance. Picks 4-1-2Del Mar: Race 5 | 6:44 pm ET#2 Mo Bradley (12-1 morning line odds) is a potential price player from the aforementioned Andy Mathis barn and comes off a 10-month layoff. Long, strong workout tab since the very start of the meet for a barn that saves bullets for the end of Del Mar summer meet. Draws well to save ground. Picks: 2-7-3Del Mar: Race 10 | 9:14 pm ET#10 Joint Venture (6-1 morning line odds) was claimed for $20,000 just 15 days ago likely with an eye in the condition book to fit here. Steve Sherman trainee has been right there in 7 straight starts on dirt and the cut-back in distance might be enough to put him over the top after a recent runner-up at a mile. Picks 10-3-5-8

  Yonkers Raceway has a 9-race card with the $1.00 Pick 5 that has a $10,000 guaranteed pool rolling in Race 5. Tonight's Spot Plays are in Race 4, Race 5, and Race 7, and they could be used in Win Bets or Gimmicks. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 4 (7:45 PM EDT)4-Sweethomealabama N (8-1)-Drops to a level where a win can happen and might be overlooked. The Corey Stratton veteran isn't having a great year but has been in the mix at the wire against this kind. Jordan Stratton should have the pedal down and could pop at a price if the trip works out. At this price, could be used in gimmicks as well.4-5-6Race 5 (8:05 PM EDT)5-Topville Somebeach (3-1)-Won 3 straight versus 30k claimers and then stepped up to face this kind and drew post 7. Was used to get the 2 hole and finished that way in a quick mile. Won't be 15-1 with this post draw but should offer a solid price. Gets some post relief and could return to winning ways.5-3-4Race 7 (8:45 PM EDT)6-Forward Flash (6-1)-This is another that should be a good price and this race could set up nicely for the 4-year-old. Has the gate speed to get a good early seat and the fractions should be honest. Jim Marohn could push the button at the right time and be the best down the lane. Does good work at Yonkers winning 6 of 21 races. Best to respect, in 2026 has hit the board 13 times in 18 starts with 6 pictures.6-1-2Check me out on X!

Monday’s $16,367.50 Xpressbet Fun in the Sun handicapping contest Final Table matches 34 individual entrants with 6 players earning two seats in the Saratoga and Del Mar season finale. Players earned their seats in the Final Table by placing top-5 in one of the 8 qualifying weeks while also playing for weekly prize money.Contestants once again compete over the final 5 races at Saratoga and the first 5 races at Del Mar in a series of $10 win bets each race through the parimutel system on the Xpressbet platform.The Labor Day finale features 2025 Fun in the Sun champion Andy Muhlada in a bid to become the contest’s first repeat winner since converting to its current format in 2020. Muhlada punched his ticket early with a Week 2 fifth-place finish to secure a spot at the Final Table.Six players earned double entry into the finale, including Bryan Ingram, whose Week 6 bankroll of $374.10 was the highest-scoring week on the season. He qualified again the following week with a fifth-place Week 7 performance. Other dual qualifiers were George Scott, Terrence Severson, Dave Nichols, Greg Calliwag and Week 8 winner Joseph McKay.Ingram and McKay are the only daul-qualifiers to win 1 of the weekly competitions. Other weekly winners included John Velguth, Thomas Carroll, Ellis Starr, Franco Pacione, Cheryl Knepper and Richard Miller.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).Final Table Prizes$6,367.50 (30% 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 PoolFun in the Sun Final Table Qualifiers** Ingram Bryan ($374.10) | Week 6 | 1 + ($271.40) | Week 7 | 5Knepper, Cheryl ($358.50) | Week 5 | 1** Scott, George ($356.10) | Week 6 | 2 + ($239.00) | Week 4 | 3Bassett, Joseph ($347.80) | Week 5 | 2Starr, Ellis ($345.0) | Week 3 | 1Campanella. Frank ($336.80) | Week 6 | 3Miller, Richard ($335.30) | Week 7 | 1Velguth, John ($333.50) | Week 1 | 1** Severson, Terrence ($330.50) | Week 1 | 2 + ($236.20) | Week 4 | 4Danner, Jeffrey ($329.60) | Week 7 | 2Gold, Aaron ($322.90) | Week 6 | 4Woodward, Nathan ($319.30) | Week 1 | 3Skotz, Christopher ($308.00) | Week 6 | 5Carroll, Thomas ($297.80) | Week 2 | 1Wolfson, Stephen ($287.40) | Week 7 | 3Levine, Stuart ($273.00) | Week 5 | 3** Caliwag, Greg ($272.80) | Week 7 | 4 + ($209.40) | Week 4 | 5Nagy, Nicholas ($271.20) | Week 1 | 4Sampo, Dino ($268.00) | Week 5 | 4** McKay, Joseph ($265.90) | Week 8 | 1 + ($243.70) | Week 4 | 2Pacione, Franco ($264.20) | Week 4 | 1DeCaspers, Anthony ($261.00) | Week 5 | 5Grau, Peter ($245.50) | Week 8 | 2Rotell, Joe ($241.10) } Week 8 | 3** Nichols, Dave ($240.00) | Week 1 | 5 + ($234) | Week 3 | 2Scott, George ($239.00) | Week 4 | 3Hill, Barry ($237.30) | Week 2 | 2Dodds, Wardell ($236.90) | Week 2 | 3Kaufman, Craig ($231.60) | Week 8 | 4Essig David ($216.90) | Week 2 | 4Murdock, Dave ($184.00) | Week 3 | 3Muhlada, Andy ($176.90) | Week 2 | 5 (2025 FITS Defending Champion)Knepper, Greg ($175.60) | Week 3 | 4Salerno, Theresa ($169.50) | Week 3 | 5

Saturday might have been the most lucrative day of the meet for horsemen at the 1/ST BET Kentucky Downs meeting in terms of purses, but Sunday could very well be such a bonanza for horseplayers. That’s because a $136,904 pick 6 carryover waits in the wings. What’s more? The 1/ST BET and Xpressbet daily $3,000 Exacta-Thon continues. Be sure to register for your chance at the bonus cash with winning exactas ($2 minimum) in at least 3 of races.Favorites are just 7-41 (17%) at the current meet with an average winner 7-1 odds, so we’ll have our work cut out for us navigating the pick 6. Don’t overlook the intra-race value in pursuit of the difficult, multi-race plays. Nonetheless, a carryover is worth a look … even with a modest investment at the $1 base bet.Let’s get to work.Kentucky Downs: Race 7 | 4:56 pm ET | maidenMaiden races this meet have seen 5 winners 10-1 plus with only 3 at 3-1 or less, so don’t be afraid to shop. The morning line favorite is 0-7 and out since last December at Turfway; it’s about Maker-Prat connections. Don’t be afraid if $500K filly #3 Sangarette doesn’t awaken from her Oaklawn disappointments. Owner Tom Durant sent some very good horses recently to Joe Sharp and this one lures Jose Ortiz. #7 Lucky to Dance also is double-digit odds in the morning line, and while the distance may be too sharp, she’s going to be the most interesting late runner. #12 Coco G could get Brendan Walsh’s cold barn a much-needed win off a decent debut fourth in which the winner came back to win a first-level allowance at Ellis.Key horses: 3,7,12 (spread as deep as you can afford)Kentucky Downs: Race 8 | 5:29 pm ET | $500,000 One Dreamer StakesJust a field of 6 in a race restricted to horses who have not won a stakes in 2026. #4 Miwa stands out in this spot to me with only 2 starts this year and 1 in a stakes. She was superb here last year in 2 starts and third on this card in the $1.5 million Ladies Marathon, a race in which she might contest if not being eligible for this much easier spot for a healthy $500K chunk. You get Jose Ortiz for Joe Sharp and this is where I’ll take the single given the field size and fact that morning line favorite Hang the Moon has lost her last 8 stakes bids. Don’t sleep on #6 Cheetah Lady, who had no chance last out behind a dawdling pace over a speed-players turf course at Monmouth. She’s run very well in back-to-back years at KD. Certainly an exacta consideration at least.Key Horses: 4 (back-up 6)Kentucky Downs: Race 9 | 6:15 pm ET | allowance#1 Infinite Sky is a local course winner and takes a class drop to where she belongs for Prat-Cox. Expect her running late, but does often give herself a lot to make up. #3 Struck at Midnight ran well here last year and comes in freshened since spring for Joe Sharp while hidden away at Turfway training. There’s little pace here, so the other Sharp trainee #6 Our Shenanigan intrigues at 30-1 morning line. Think she could play for a while near the front along with #12 Perrylu.Key Horses: 1,3,6,12Kentucky Downs: Race 10 | 6:52 pm ET | $1.5 million KD Ladies Marathon#8 Stellify and #2 Way to Be Marie ran 1-2 in this stakes last year and rematch after both finishing off the board in the Beverly D at Colonial Downs. Stellify is even-money on the morning line behind a 2-for-2 local record, and viable excuses at Colonial behind a slow pace and making her first start since November. Given the 9-horse field size and heavy favoritism, #8 Stellify will be a common single among players. While you typically try to beat these kind, a Kentucky Downs sequence’s difficulty makes accepting something more obvious acceptable as you expect chaos around any surrounding corner. #1 Dona Clota will appreciate the distance and Jose Ortiz just can’t be dismissed locally right now. That’s the alternative.Key Horses: 8 (back-up 1)Kentucky Downs: Race 11 | 7:23 pm ET | allowance optional claiming#3 Elnaj has sprint speed and route class from Saratoga for Cox-Prat and looks highly logical along with #7 Anmer Hall, who raided from SoCal to win a similar race last year and remains in very good form. Trust this pair of favorites.Key Horses: 3,7 (back-up 11)Kentucky Downs: Race 12 | 7:54 pm ET | maidenCapacity field of juvenile sprinters wraps the sequence. The Saratoga experience of #7 Without Hesitation should play well against a mostly Ellis Park cast, which is led by #6 A La Vie, who must be respected with Jose Ortiz up for Joe Sharp, and #9 Hollywood Starlet, a decent debut finisher behind Mid American, who returned to win the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sprint earlier this meet. Longshot look to #12 Majorbrowniepoints who could vastly improve with the move to the KD lawn. Sire Twirling Candy’s offspring are fantastic here with a positive ROI the last 5 years and trainer Mark Casse has had a very strong current meet. As mentioned to start the pick 6, maiden races this meet have seen 5 winners 10-1 plus with only 3 at 3-1 or less, so don’t be afraid to shop.Key Horses: 7,6,9,12

EXTRA INCENTIVES$3,000 Exacta-Thon | Kentucky Downs | today’s races$10 Money-Back Special | Woodbine Race 9 Wonder Where Stakes | up to $10 back if win bet finishes 2nd, 3rd.SCHEDULE NOTESDel Mar | early first post 4:30 pm ET / 1:30 pm PTSPECIAL WAGERSSummer Sweep Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 7-9, Kentucky Downs Races 8-9-10--$1 minimum, 15% takeout, no CAWTOURNAMENT TIME$400 Del Mar Closing Day Challenge Qualifier | details$40 Canterbury Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 5 | $11,950 | Colonial Downs | begins Race 6 | 2:59 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $66,088 (CAN) | Woodbine | begins Race 5 | 3:12 pm ETPick 6 | $136,904 | Kentucky Downs | begins Race 7 | 4:56 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | $94,801 (CAN) | Woodbine | Race 10 | 6:08 pm ETKEY RACESMonmouth | Race 5 | 2:48 pm ET | Red Bank StakesSaratoga | Race 10 | 5:19 pm ET | Hopeful StakesKentucky Downs | Race 8 | 5:29 pm ET | One Dreamer StakesWoodbine | Race 9 | 5:33 pm ET | Wonder Where StakesSaratoga | Race 11 | 5:55 pm ET | Disco Partner StakesKentucky Downs | Race 10 | 6:52 pm ET | KD Ladies Marathon StakesDel Mar | Race 4 | 6:11 pm ET | Del Mar FuturityEmerald Downs | Race 7 | 7:57 pm ET | Muckleshoot Juvenile Filly StakesDel Mar | Race 8 | 8:14 pm ET | Shared Belief StakesEmerald Downs | Race 8 | 8:27 pm ET | Muckleshoot Distaff StakesDel Mar | Race 9 | 8:44 pm ET | Del Mar Juvenile Fillies TurfEmerald Downs | Race 9 | 8:56 pm ET | Muckleshoot Classic StakesEmerald Downs | Race 10 | 9:25 pm ET | Gottstein FuturityLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXKentucky Downs | Race 3 | 2:36 pm ETDel Mar | Race 1 | 4:30 pm ETEmerald Downs | Race 10 | 9:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHSteve Asmussen | Saratoga | 3 of 4 entrants 3-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Kentucky Downs | jockey Jose Ortiz | 4 wins ($5, $9, $11, $25)PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Sunday Spot PlaysJeremy Plonk: Del Mar Sunday Full-Card PicksJeremy Plonk: Kentucky Downs Sunday P6 Carryover Keys Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section