One of Saratoga’s biggest Saturdays of summer will be spotlighted in this week’s Fun in the Sun handicapping contest at Xpressbet. The Grade 1 Whitney could be the race of the year so far in 2026 and goes as the 12th of 14 races on the card Saturday. The final 5 races at Saratoga and first 5 races at Del Mar make up the weekly contest, entering its fourth week of qualifying for the season. Other stakes in the contest mix this week also include the Fourstardave and Saratoga Derby as well as Del Mar's Best Pal.Week 3 featured a runaway victory and season-best bankroll total from Ellis Starr, whose $345 in returns was $111 better than runner-up Dave Nichols at $234. Starr bagged $1,144.50 in prize money, while Nichols earned an extra $476.88 for his efforts. For Nichols, he became the 2026 season’s first 2-time qualifier for the Labor Day Final Table. Other Week 3 qualifiers included Donald Murdock ($184 bankroll, $286.12 in prize money), Greg Knepper ($175.60 bankroll) and Theresa Salerno ($169.50 bankroll).Fun in the Sun contestants play for weekly prize money and a chance to join each week’s top-5 players in the tournament’s Final Table on Labor Day. The FITS progressive jackpot for the Final Table stands at $12,497 after the first 3 qualifying rounds with $10,000-added from Xpressbet.The 9-week Fun in the Sun handicapping contest runs 8 Saturdays from July 18-September 5 and concludes with the 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.

Whitney Week at Saratoga gets started on Wednesday afternoon with a ten-race card that kicks off with a Grade 1 steeplechase event followed by nine flats races, including the $200k Johnstone for NY-bred fillies and mares at seven-furlongs over the main track. I will let you seek analysis on the jumps race elsewhere, but here are a few horses I like most on the day.Race 3:My first play of the week comes in this MSW event at one-mile over the main track that was originally carded last Wednesday, but postponed due to torrential rains. #4 Wedelia was made the significant 6-5-ML favorite shipping in from Kentucky for trainer Brad Cox. The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro is a tough read since both of her races came over an off track, but I am concerned with her lack of early speed coming out of the Wilson chute. I will try to beat her with #2 Noble Glow. The Juddmonte homebred debuted at seven-furlongs at Churchill Downs in a full-field 2YO MSW in late November where she was sent from the gate and was caught up in an early tussle on the front end while caught wide throughout. The daughter of Gun Runner has been on the sidelines since, but comes in off a strong series of local drills. The fact she retains Prat and has the early speed the favorite does not adds to the appeal.Play: #2 Noble Glow (9-2 ML)Picks: 2-4-3Race 5:The pace should be honest at the very least in this optional claimer for 3YOs at six-furlongs over the main track, which should set things up for a runner that can settle and finish. Price option #1 Tripp’s Promise fits the profile. The Baron Thoroughbreds colt returned off the freshening in late May at Churchill Downs and put in a solid run to finish second to horse that got a big jump on him when he encountered traffic issues on the turn and into the lane. The son of Promises Fulfulled finished well once he found clear sailing and propelled that strong late run into an off-the-pace victory on June 12 despite racing over the outside part of the track on a day where the inside had a slight edge. I am not overly concerned that Tripp’s Promise failed to hit the board at Ellis Park last month since the speed ran 1-2 around the oval and the race shape should be much more to his liking on Wednesday. The quick return may not be ideal for the colt, but otherwise the son of Promises Fulfilled fits the profile I am looking for. Hopefully, he runs them down late to kick off the Pick 6.Play: #1 Tripp’s Promise (8-1 ML)Picks: 1-4-6Race 9: Johnstone S.There is little doubt that #6 Usha is the deserving 6-5-ML favorite and filly to beat in this seven-furlong dash over the main track. The Tiz the Law filly beat Grade 3 foes at Churchill in late May and is the clear class of the field. That said, she is going to be bet down significantly and has never run over this racetrack. Therefore, I will take a swing with a filly that I thought ran sneaky well last out.#3 Munnings Express is one of two entered for trainer Linda Rice. The 4YO filly made her second start of the form cycle on July 23 after a race over the grass in late June. Her best races have always been when she is able to find favorable forward position early and that was simply not the case a couple of weeks ago when she did not get out of the gates great from her rail draw costing her any real chance. Now, she moves back into the NY-bred ranks and gets hot riding Manny Franco in the saddle. The Rice barn starting heating up with three winners over the weekend. I would not be surprised if it continues this week.Play: #3 Munnings Express (8-1 ML)Picks: 3-6-5

TOURNAMENT TIME$100 Saratoga Feeder | details$40 Mountaineer Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | Thistledown | $127,454 | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETKEY RACESSaratoga | Race 1 | 1:10 pm ET | Smithwick Memorial Stakes (Steeplechase)Saratoga | Race 9 | 5:46 pm ET | Johnstone StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 5 | 4:14 pm ETSaratoga | Race 10 | 6:20 pm ETMountaineer | Race 2 | 7:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHMiguel Clement | Saratoga | all 7 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Horseshoe Indianapolis | favorites went 2 for 10 on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Spot Plays for WednesdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Throughout August, Tuesdays and Thursdays stay hot at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet with our Midsummer Money promotion. Bet $100, Get $10 on select tracks this month. Next up Tuesday will be Mountaineer as West Virginia Derby Week rolls on. Here’s how I’ll approach the card in West Virginia with an assist from the Betmix Angler database.Mountaineer Race 3 | 7:50 pm ET#1 Amour de La Vie (3-1 morning line odds) locked up in a 3-way duel last time, winning the battle vs. the other speed, but losing the war as the even-money favorite ran her down in the final yards. That was against the boys and the filly takes them on again with every chance to finish the deal from the rail in a 5-furlong dash with surprisingly little early speed on paper. Win bet #1. Exacta 1-5 bigger and 5-1 smaller. Picks: 1-5-8Mountaineer Race 5 | 8:40 pm ET#4 Denali Rae (8-1 morning line odds) fits the conditions of this claimer beautifully, winning twice last July right before the August 4, 2025 cut-off date for eligibility. No threat against slightly tougher in the local debut at a shorter trip, but got involved a bit more late and the extra ground helps. Speedy #10 Girl Bye also fits conditions to a T but failed last out at 6-5 and prefer the price on her rival. Win-place bet #4. Exacta box 4-10. Picks: 4-10-1The August Midsummer Money lineup includes:• Tuesday, August 4 // Mountaineer• Thursday, August 6 // Canterbury Park• Tuesday, August 11 // Finger Lakes• Thursday, August 13 // Charles Town• Tuesday, August 18 // Thistledown• Thursday, August 20 // Colonial Downs• Tuesday, August 25 // Horseshoe Indianapolis• Thursday, August 27 // Penn National

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Mountaineer | tonight’s racesTOURNAMENT TIME$40 Mountaineer Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | Thistledown | $114,756 | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | Assiniboia Downs | $16,657 (CAN) | Race 7 | 11:05 pm ETKEY RACESAssiniboia Downs | Race 2 | 8:30 pm ET | Debutante StakesAssiniboia Downs | Race 3 | 9:00 pm ET | Manitoba OaksLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXFairmount Park | Race 7 | 5:00 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 7 | 5:16 pm ETMountaineer | Race 8 | 9:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHEdward Essenpreis | Fairmount Park | 4 of 5 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Finger Lakes | favorites won 6 of 8 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Mountaineer Bet $100, Get $10 Picks Frank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

EXTRA INCENTIVES10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Summer Sweep 5 | Gulfstream Park & Fort Erie1 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Player's Pick 3 | Gulfstream Park$2,500 Exacta-Thon | Assiniboia Downs | tonight’s races1 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Late Pick 4 | Assiniboia DownsSPECIAL WAGERSSummer Sweep Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 5-6-7, Fort Erie Races 6-7--$1 minimum, 15% takeout, no CAWTOURNAMENT TIME$500 Assiniboia Manitoba Derby Pegasus World Cup Betting Challenge Qualifier | details$40 Mountaineer Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSMandatory Payout Pick 6 | Gulfstream Park | $19,464 | begins Race 3 | 1:22 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | Thistledown | $105,379 | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 5 | Assiniboia Downs | $476,656 (CAN) / $339,426 (US) | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ETKEY RACESPresque Isle Downs | Race 7 | 6:12 pm ET | Satin and Lace StakesAssiniboia Downs | Race 2 | 9:00 pm ET | Escape Clause StakesAssiniboia Downs | Race 5 | 10:15 pm ET | Manitoba MileAssiniboia Downs | Race 6 | 10:40 pm ET | Manitoba DerbyLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXFort Erie | Race 7 | 3:03 pm ETMountaineer | Race 1 | 7:00 pm ETLouisiana Downs | Race 7 | 7:53 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHSteve Keplin Jr. | Assiniboia Downs | 3 entrants 5-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Colonial/Woodbine | trainer Mark Casse | 4 wins, 1 second from 7 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Assiniboia Downs Full-Card Monday PicksBrian Nadeau: Gulfstream Park Full-Card Monday PicksFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Manitoba Derby Day shares the marquee at Assiniboia Downs tonight with a pick 5 carryover pool that has reached $476,656 (CAN) / $339,426 (US). In addition, horseplayers at Xpressbet can take part in the $500 Assiniboia Manitoba Derby Pegasus World Cup Betting Championship Qualifier tournament. When you bet with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet on tonight’s Assiniboia card, take advantage of a 1 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split in the late pick 4 and consider the $2,500 Exacta-Thon promotion where winning $2 exactas on at least 3 races on the 7-race card will win you a share of the additional prize money.Let’s get to work.Assiniboia Downs: Race 1 | allowance/optional claiming#4 Spin the Breeze runs back first off the claim for an Elton Dickey barn that has 3 wins and a second from its last 9 starters (including a 20-1 winner and 52-1 runner-up). This after going 0-12 to start the meet. The 5-1 morning line price attracts on a card that could see shorter prices as it ensues. #7 Smoocherro, the 9-5 morning line chalk, has been beaten favorite twice in 3 local starts, but has run well in all 3 since arriving from Tampa. Picks 4-7-1.Assiniboia Downs: Race 2 | $50,000 Escape Clause StakesTrainer Steve Keplin won 6-13 (46%) in July and is hitting a whopping 44% at the meet. His #4 Mad About Marie registered 1 of those scores in the Canada Stakes July 14 once stretched back to the proper distance after a couple of sprints upon her local arrival. She handled #2 Dontgiveupthefight handily that night to snap that filly’s 3-race winning streak for high-octane trainer Robertino Diodoro. Difficult to see beyond this favored pair. Picks 4-2-3.Assiniboia Downs: Race 3 | claimingThe pick 5 and its massive jackpot begins here. Favorites have won 48% of the claiming races this meeting at Assiniboia Downs from more than 90 offered (71% of favorites in the exacta). Morning line chalk #9 Neighneigh could be a standout off a claim-and-drop by trainer Demetris Tapouzis, 3-for-6 at the meet with limited strikes. Despite sprint running lines that might suggest trouble at the distance, she’s had success this far in the past with slower tempos. The pace doesn’t look wicked to her inside and morning line second choice #8 Gallant Oak is just 1 for her last 14 and has 26 minor placings from 52 career starts. Picks 9-7-8.Assiniboia Downs: Race 4 | maiden special weightPerhaps the best price shot on the evening with a field of 10 and lack of a power-barn standout. #2 Ralph’s Gift improved in his second start and goes for a Elton Dickey barn that is going very well right now, but not one to garner attention with a 3-21 meet record. That 10-1 morning line price would be fantastic. The July 7 race in which #6 She’s My Uncle was second as the favorite, #4 Judge Oliver finished third at 7-2 and #8 American Witt ran fourth at 7-2, didn’t get flattered when the winner, Banker Matt, returned to Asd and ran a solidly-beaten fifth in his allowance bid. Give #10 Charlie’s Prize perhaps a stronger look than that trio for additional support. Picks 2-10-6.Assiniboia Downs: Race 5 | $50,000 Manitoba Mile#2 Judo has been an Asd beast, winning 6 of 9 locally and rolling here as the favorite by 3 lengths last summer in this race. She’s taken a similar prep path in recent months and hasn’t been touched in 2 local appearances at the meet for 44%-winning trainer Steve Keplin. Appears to be a single to this eye. Local newcomer #7 Go Go Boss will merit attention off fast speed figures in Texas and it's hard to dismiss Robertino Diodoro in races like this. Blinkers go on in hopes of sharpening several bridesmaid performances in winning just 1 of her last 8. Picks 2-7-1.Assiniboia Downs: Race 6 | $125,000 Manitoba DerbyThe expectation that class will show out over 9 furlongs makes Kentucky-experienced raiders like #2 Western Warrior, #4 Gethsemane and the maiden #5 Direct Strike the focus. Certainly fear the outside speed of #9 Forty Twenty, but there’s pace to challenge him from the locals and the final furlong may prove his tripping point. The aforementioned trio change barns for local appearances but have been stock of Mark Casse, Linda Rice and Brad Cox, underscoring their level of class. I like going to a top local jockey with a classy shipper, getting the quality of the horse with the track knowledge of the pilot. The only of these to do so is #4 Gethsemane, who lands Antonio Whitehall in the saddle. Despite maiden status, #5 Direct Strike looks best-equipped to handle the 9 furlongs on pedigree and running lines. I’ll focus on those 2. Picks 4-5-2.Assiniboia Downs: Race 7 | claimingFavorites have won 48% of the claiming races this meeting at Assiniboia Downs from more than 90 offered (71% of favorites in the exacta). Not sure what went wrong last out for #9 Jacks Spring Break, eased after back-to-back meet wins. But it’s about the only thing that went awry in July for redhot trainer Steve Keplin. Pace versatility helps with a 9-hole draw in this mile. Underneath #3 Ells is better than the last and trainer Wendy Anderson wins 35% first off the claim. Picks 9-3-1.Carryover Pick 5 Key Runners9 with 2,10 with 2 with 4,5 with 9.

Yonkers Raceway has a 9-race card. The Spot Plays are in Race 2, Race 4, and Race 7. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 2 (7:05 PM EDT)1-None Better A (5/2)-The pedal was down in last as Jim Marohn Jr left hard from post 6 and got the top. Going the 27.2 opening panel to land on the point burned a lot of gas and then faded down the lane to finish 2nd. This time comes back in sequence, draws the 1-hole, and should get control in an easier fashion. Won't be 57-1 but looks like a main player and could offer a fair price.Playing #1 None Better A in a Win Bet1-4-5Race 4 (7:45 PM EDT)3-Soho Firestone A (8-1)-Has run into Sweet Beach Life and Mossdale Ben N, battled hard but couldn't solve that puzzle. Knows how to win and now tries Lasix for the 1st time. That's not an angle that is at the top of my list. But the morning line is probably too low, and if Lasix kicks in it could make a winning difference. Went off at 19-1 last time and lost by a neck and will look for another juicy price.Betting #3 Soho Firestone A to Win3-6-7Race 7 (8:45 PM EDT)3-Jumpingjackmac N 7/2-Drops to a level where Brent Holland should have choices. He may look to leave and get the top but if not could win coming off cover. This looks like a spot to cash the top check. Did win the last time in this cheap on 6-22 and should get another efficient trip.Will play #3 Jumpingjackmac N to Win3-1-6Check me out on X!