The second Saturday of the Saratoga summer offers horseplayers an 11-race card that kicks off at 12:35 PM and is headlined by a pair of Grade 2 events over the grass. Here are my thoughts on the entire slate.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: BUse: 3 DecimationForecast: The opener is a 5.5-furlong sprint for 2YOs over the main track where I landed on #3 Decimation. Fellow Kentucky import #1 Midnight Still is expected to take more money after a solid third on debut, but I am expecting big improvement in career start two from this Jackie’s Warrior colt. He was asked for speed from the gate by jockey Keith Asmussen in his first start and ran off a touch before tiring badly in the lane. North America’s all-time leading trainer takes the blinkers off and thinks enough of him to ship him to New York where a stronger rider will be in the saddle. Hopefully, he shows a lot more stamina because I know the speed is there.Race 2:Grade: CUse: 6 Harpoon; 3 Hot Fries; 5 Angel of KirkForecast: I lack creativity and confidence in this 5.5-furlong sprint over the dirt for 2YO fillies made up of all first-time starters. #6 Harpoon is listed as the biggest price of the three gals I give a chance at first asking. She draws outside her main rivals and is out of a mare that won on debut at Santa Anita in 2022. Mark Casse legs up Jose Ortiz for her debut.Race 3:Grade: XUse: 6 Speightful LilyForecast: I have far more confidence in Race 3, but unfortunately it is because the 6-5-ML favorite #6 Speightful Lily looks tough to beat. She cuts back half a furlong after following a gate-to-wire winner to the wire during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in her first start since April ’25. Flavien Prat sticks aboard the 6YO mare that should have things her way on the front end at a short price.Race 4:Grade: C+Use: 1 Sounds Like a Plan; 3 Final VerdictForecast: There may appear to be a good deal of speed on paper in this second-level allowance at one-mile over the Inner Turf, but not enough for me to expect the pace to be highly contentious over this course. That gives the edge to a pair of runners that draw along the inside and possess tactical speed. #1 Sounds Like a Plan has won 4 of 5 for Horacio De Paz, including a first-level allowance victory over this course on June 6. A favorable voyage could lead to another win. #3 Final Verdict may be at his best sprinting, but should get a good trip as well after a pair of solid runner-up efforts to kick off his 6YO season. Not one of my favorite races on the card, but not going to get expect a fast pace to materialize given all of the variables.Race 5: Caress (G2)Grade: B-Use: 3 Italian Soiree/4 SunnaForecast: #4 Sunna is the one to beat in this 5.5-furlong turf dash for fillies and mares since she appears to have a pace advantage in her first local start. The Kent Sweezey trainee has rattled off three consecutive wins, including two at this same surface and distance. The issue is she will be a short price in the toughest spot of her career. #3 Italian Soiree might need some luck from a race shape perspective, but she has done little wrong in her two turf sprints this year. She dominated a lesser field in Laurel in her first start off the bench and then put forth a solid runner-up effort to wire-to-wire winner Roja in the Intercontinental (G2). If Sunna regresses or takes pressure early, this filly should take advantage. She is the better bet of the two I give a chance in the first stakes of the day.Race 6:Grade: C+Use: 1 RosapennaForecast: Most folks will understandably spread in this state-bred MSW for 2YOs over the main track, but I will try to call my shot with #1 Rosapenna. The daughter of Mo Donegal commanded $125k at the OBS March sale despite her sire standing for just $10k to start his second career. The rail is not ideal, but trainer Mike Maker has been worth wagering on when sending 2YO first-time starters to debut at Saratoga of late. In fact, over the last three years Maker has sent 18 juveniles to the Spa for their debut and 4 have won for an ROI well above $3. The fact Flavien Prat takes the call on this filly also could be a tell she has some talent.Race 7:Grade: B+Use: 7 Candytown/ 8 Plensa; 2 Unit EconomicsForecast: This second level allowance event that kicks off the late Pick 5 is one of the more intriguing races of the afternoon. ML favorites #2 Unit Economics and #4 Yinzer have run big races against solid competition for high-level connections, but are making their first start since last year. I am willing to let both beat me, especially because I like the chances of #7 Candytown to move forward in his second start off the bench. He returned at 1 1/16-miles in early June and was caught three-wide on both turns over a turf course that was not forgiving to those who lost ground. However, I am willing to forgive his lack of finish against similar given his price and trip last time out. Edgard Zayas will pick up the mount. He was aboard him during both career victories. #8 Plensa is another one making his second start as a 4YO that could improve quite a bit. He was wired out in his 2026 debut at Churchill Downs, but did not run poorly by any stretch. He will need to avoid a wide trip and being too far back early though to have a serious chance.Race 8:Grade: B-Use: 2 BosunForecast: This first-level allowance event over the grass is likely to be a spread race for most in the late horizontals, but I am going to take my chances with just #2 Bosun. The Midshipman gelding is not without warts since he has not raced since late January at Fair Grounds and was not nearly as good when he moved into open company. That said, he has been gelded since his last start, won both races over this course last summer and should get a good trip from the inside. If he is ready off the bench, he should handle this field.Race 9:Grade: B+Use: 4 Toscano/ 5 King Farro; 7 Judge BoushayForecast: I will try to beat 2-1-ML favorite #2 Tricky Business in this state-bred allowance out of the Wilson chute. The son of Vekoma won nicely on debut, but did so taking advantage of a track that favored his outside trip. He came back versus winners in the Pegasus and was outrun. He could get over bet and is far from a stand out. I like #4 Toscano. The son of Vino Rosso makes his second start off a year layoff after a fourth-place effort chasing a gate-to-winner at 7-furlongs in his return. He gets more ground after shaking off the rust and should be set for his best with Tyler Gaffalione jumping aboard.Race 10: Bowling Green (G2)Grade: CUse: 1 Ole Crazy BoneForecast: I lack a strong opinion in this 1 3/8-mile event over the Inner Turf, but will continue to hope it is a big day for Mike Maker. #1 Ole Crazy Bone was claimed for a cool $100k by Maker and Flying P Stable in late June ’25 and he has run first or second in the three starts since. He came off the bench in an allowance at Churchill Downs on May 21 and ran an extremely credible second at 1 1/16-miles to Dresden Row. Now, he gets back to a longer trip where he should get a favorable prominent voyage under Flavien Prat making him the one to beat in the co-feature.Race 11:Grade: B-Use: 10 Coach RyanForecast: Those that have recency lack ability thus far in the careers of these NY-breds hoping to earn their first victory in a two-turn turf race at Saratoga. This should open things up for the 5-2-ML favorite #10 Coach Ryan. The Chad Brown trainee was winless in two starts as a 2YO, including his debut at the Spa in late August ’25. He does not draw particularly well, but should still have no issue out finishing this bunch to end the day.

One of the biggest cards of the weekend occurs in Shelbyville, Indiana where it is Indiana Derby Day. The folks at Horseshoe Indianapolis have put together a strong 13-race card to celebrate the biggest day of their meeting. The featured event goes as Race 12 (6:40 PM eastern) and makes up the third leg of the late Pick 4. The wager has a $1 minimum denomination and if you play it at 1/ST BET or Xpressbet you will be eligible for our 2 Million Rewards Points Hit & Split. Just head over to the promotional landing page under the promotions tab, register, and you are set to automatically earn your share of the 2 million points. Here is how I plan to attack the sequence that includes three stakes and a state-bred MSW over the sod to close things out.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 10: Jonathan B Schuster MemorialGrade: C+Main Ticket: 8 Seminole Chief; 5 EncinoBackups: 6 Higgins Boat; 3 WadsworthForecast: This 1 1/16-mile event over the grass attracted a solid field of 10 with a noticeable lack of serious early speed. It was difficult to separate this group based on current form, so I will use those I expect to be prominently placed early. This includes 20-1 longshot #8 Seminole Chief. The son of Girvin has always shown ability for Jack Sisterson winning 5 of 15 career starts. He moved into the Joe Sharp barn last out where he was dropped in class leading to a confidence building three-quarters length win at Churchill Downs. Sharp sends him the short trip from Kentucky to Horseshoe Indy where he should find a favorable early position once again, but at a much bigger price. I will make him my lukewarm top choice with plenty of respect to both the Brad Cox runners #4 Wadsworth and #5 Encino, as well as #6 Higgins Boat.Race 11: Indiana Oaks (G3)Grade: B-Main Ticket: 1 Star ActressBackups: 5 Prom QueenForecast: This year’s Indiana Oaks only drew a compact group of six, but it is competitive nonetheless. 9-5-ML favorite #5 Prom Queen gets some class relief as one of two fillies entered by Brad Cox. The Quality Road filly has disappointed in back-to-back starts, including the Kentucky Oaks (G1) where she did not get out of the gates well costing her any real chance. She returned in the Acorn (G1) where she was caught in a tight spot early and did her running from last, but had nothing left late when the real running started. There are certainly reasons to believe that the decrease in competition and a cleaner trip will lead to a much-improved performance, but at a short price she is not an attractive wagering option. I will instead take a swing with the longest shot on the board #1 Star Actress. The George Krikorian homebred tried the turf for the first time last out, but has been moved back to the dirt by trainer Bill Mott. She has just one win, but has not had things her way at all in her dirt races. She was down on a dead rail most of the way in her debut before finishing full of run late. Then, she handled business with a cleaner break in her next start before losing little in defeat in the Ashland (G1) and being caught wide throughout and racing against the flow on Oaks Day. She may have a lot of ground to make up late, but she is more talented than her running lines suggest. Hopefully, she shows it in this spot.Race 12: Indiana Derby (G3)Grade: B-Main Ticket: 8 Leading Change; 3 ZihnalBackups: NoneForecast: With #9 Desert Gate set to run in the Iowa Derby, it is likely that #8 Leading Change is sent off the heavy favorite in this year’s Indiana Derby. The Wathnan Racing colt was dominant on debut going 7-furlongs at Churchill Downs coasting to a 6-length romp. He has to prove himself at two-turns and against winners, but looks like the real deal making him tough to want to take on with confidence. That said, I will also include #3 Zihnal. I have tried to bet this gelding before in stakes spots, but he has been scratched by trainer Jonathan Thomas both times. He clearly has a lot of upside based on the way this highly respectable barn has handled him from the get-go and should get overlooked at the windows. I am unsure why the scratched him out of the Ohio Derby, but he will be on all of my tickets along with Leading Change if he remains in this spot.Race 13:Grade: C+Main Ticket: 3 Koger LaneBackups: 5 Haziel; 9 Hotline IrisForecast: The second and third place finishers from an earlier state-bred MSW at 1 1/16-miles over the turf make plenty of sense in the finale. #5 Haziel was forced to make a four-wide middle move while #9 Hotline Iris stalked three-wide into the first turn and was unable to save ground. Both were out finished that day, but in with significant chances again. That said, I prefer the likely value of second-time starter #3 Koger Lane. The daughter of Unbridled Express debuted in a dirt sprint last month for trainer Aaron West. She was out of the gates slow and ran and underwhelming third, but stretches out here and moves to the grass. Both have every right to help her against a modest group of non-winners. Hopefully, she takes to the trip with Michell Murrill back in the saddle.

EXTRA INCENTIVES10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Newmarket (UK) | today’s racesBet $100, Get $10 | Canterbury Park | today’s racesRed Shores Super Saturday Sweepstakes | Charlottetown (harness) | today’s racesTOURNAMENT TIME$100 Saratoga Feeder | details$40 Horseshoe Indianapolis Feeder | details$40 Canterbury Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $128,855 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETPick 5 | $21,540 | Delaware Park | begins Race 4 | 1:56 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | $76,475 (CAN) | Woodbine | Race 7 | 6:05 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXDelaware Park | Race 6 | 3:00 pm ETEllis Park | Race 7 | 3:42 pm ETColonial Downs | Race 8 | 4:07 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHAnthony Farrior | Charles Town | all 8 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Belterra | Race 8 | nation’s highest-paying exacta ($402), trifecta ($4856) and superfecta ($53,241)PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Spot Plays for ThursdayJeremy Plonk: Canterbury Bet $100, Get $10 Promo Picks for ThursdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

In 26 runnings of the Iowa Oaks this decade, 21 jockeys and 22 trainers visited the winners’ circle. Another chapter will be added to the 1-1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies this Friday, July 10, at Prairie Meadows. The $225,000 Oaks is part of an All-Stakes Pick 4 wager. Here’s a closer look and a suggested $1 ticket that costs $30 to play:Prairie Meadows Park 5th Race (8:51 EST) GOOD CHEER (pictured) won three consecutive Grade 2 stakes at today’s distance before she won the G-1 Kentucky Oaks at 1-1/8 miles. Her class should prevail in the $100,000 Iowa Distaff as the shortest price in the Pick 4 sequence. If GOOD CHEER is scratched, use #1 QUEEN AZTECA in the leadoff leg.Prairie Meadows Park 6th Race (9:21 EST) Maiden Special Weight winners from five tracks unite in the $100,000 Prairie Golden Lassie, with all but one making their stakes debut. WILD VEKOMA, bet down to 2-to-5 in her debut at Prairie Meadows, was far back on the turn going 5F. But she lived up to the hype in the final quarter mile, blowing past her leg-weary stablemate “without really being asked,” according to announcer Bobby Neuman. She might be this good and the extra half furlong can only help. MY KID’S SAID NO blazed to the lead under strong urging in her debut at Gulfstream Park and left three rivals in the dust. The $70,000 sales buy returned to Canterbury Park, worked in :46-4/5 from the gate in her second of two bullet preps, now shows up here. VALKYRIE, the lone entrant with a stakes race on her resume, “held firm” on the lead in her MSW debut, holding off a pair of sub 2-to-1 favorites to win at Churchill Downs.Prairie Meadows 7th Race (9:53 p.m. EST) MIZUMI saved ground, tipped 3-wide at the top of the stretch and hit her best stride in mid-stretch while drawing away from maiden Wolf Hill in the Grade 3 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita. She extended the margin quickly on the gallop out and could sit another dream stalking trip in the speed-laden Iowa Oaks at the same distance. GRACE IS FREE lost by double-digit lengths in her only two stakes races at 1-1/16 miles. But she served notice that the Iowa Oaks distance is well within reach as she sat a perfect stalking trip off a spirited pace and overpowered the field in the one-mile Panthers Stakes to go 2-for-2 locally.Prairie Meadows 8th Race (10:24 p.m. EST) On their best, the eight entrants in the $100,000 Saylorville Stakes range from an 83 to 88 Beyer speed figure. In addition, they are a combined 24-for-80 with six $200,000-plus earners. PARADISE CITY ran 6F for the first time in her career after seven months away, but she won going away despite awaiting room in early stretch on a day when off-the-pace runners fared well on the Churchill Downs dirt. THUNDERS ROCKNROLL toured four tracks and won her last four 6F stakes races by a combined 16-3/4 lengths. EVRADEAN has tactical speed, runs well fresh and is 14 of 17 in the money with a $338k bankroll at 6F. SILENT LAW won a Grade 3 stakes race through disqualification as a 3-year-old, made the lead from post 10 in the Grade 1 La Brea, now puts the blinkers back on for her second start as a 4-year-old for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. TAPIT QUICK fits on her best race, can be excused for a “bumpy” comeback and makes the ticket at 12-1 on the morning line.PrM 5th Race: 5 (If scratched, use #1)PrM 6th Race: 2, 6, 7PrM 7th Race: 1, 4PrM 8th Race: 3, 4, 5, 7, 8Cost for a $1 ticket: $30

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 Thursday will be Canterbury Park. Here’s how I’ll approach the card in Minnesota with an assist from the Betmix Angler database.Canterbury Race 7 | 9:22 pm ET#2 Hey River (5-2 morning line odds) appears to hold a significant early pace edge if able to outhustle #1 Eighty sixchevy, the 9-5 morning line chalk, at the start. Trainer Lynn Rarick’s runners are 6-10 in the exacta over the past few weeks and this is a pure, 7-furlong horse. Win bet #2. Daily Double 2-1. Picks: 2-1-8.Canterbury Race 8 | 9:52 pm ET#1 Levigata (4-1 morning line odds) tries 2 turns for the first time and the best time to do that is from the rail with the entire field outside of you to keep you honest when that first turn comes up quickly. Trainer Joel Berndt has won with 4 of his last 9 starters locally since June 28 (including $9 and $18 scores) and this likely will be his longer-priced of 2 entrants in this race. Win bet #1. Exacta key-box 1 with 6,7. Picks: 1-6-7Eligible tracks and days:• Thursday, July 9 // Canterbury Park• Tuesday, July 14 // Finger Lakes• Thursday, July 16 // Belterra Park• Tuesday, July 21 // Mountaineer• Thursday, July 23 // Penn National• Tuesday, July 28 // Horseshoe Indianapolis• Thursday, July 30 // Charles Town

TOURNAMENT TIME$40 Horseshoe Indianapolis Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $118,588 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETPick 5 | $13,687 | Delaware Park | begins Race 3 | 1:24 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $7,844 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | Race 6 | 4:45 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $316,395 (CAN) | Assiniboia Downs | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXDelaware Park | Race 5 | 2:28 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 8 | 5:47 pm ETMountaineer | Race 3 | 7:50 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJamie Ness | Delaware, Penn National | all 5 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Finger Lakes | favorites won 6 of 7 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The Lead:The headline races to Prairie Meadows’ Iowa Festival of Racing share the Saturday night marquee. The Cornhusker, Iowa Sprint and Iowa Derby are part of a 10-race card that gets underway at 7 pm ET. The $250,000 Iowa Derby goes as Race 7 and will be our focus. Horseplayers at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet enjoy 10X 1/ST Rewards Points on all wagers for Prairie Meadows on Saturday.​​Field Depth:DESERT GATE is a Grade 3 winner and Grade 1-placed. He’s clearly held the best running lines over time. Stakes winners include CRUPPER and J J GREY, while THE HELL WE DID is Grade 3-placed.​Pace:DESERT GATE would be most committed to the front likely in a field of horses with pace versatility. Inside-drawn runners could be used for more speed, while the bulk of the lineup is made up of horses who want to be in the front third of the field early if possible. This track plays to speed and you rarely benefit from being far back, even with a hot pace.​Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.1-THE HELL WE DID: Talented brother to Senor Buscador disappointed in the Preakness when farther back than expected. That style won’t work at Prairie Meadows, and aggressive rider Ramon Vazquez likely puts him more into the race to secure the rail draw. Distance remains the question, however, but a top effort can land him in the exotics.2-CRUPPER: Similar pace versatility and Preakness disappointment as The Hell We Did, their stories don’t veer much. Capable on a flashback to his Oaklawn stakes victory of making some impact here. Best chance is to carve out a pressing trip from just off the leader. Not as busy on the post-Preakness workout tab as The Hell We Did, but sharpened Jun. 25 in Louisville.3-MAXIMUM EFFORT: Steve Asmussen’s record 5 Iowa Derby wins included Magnitude’s return score last summer as well as a 2017 victory with Hence when teamed with jockey Mike Smith. The veteran rider tries for the first time aboard this 7-race maiden who was third in the Texas Derby behind a pair of Iowa Derby return rivals. Maxfield colt loses ground to the leader in the final call each time, explaining his maiden status. Not for me.4-J J GREY: While a 9: 4-0-0 record might lead us to think he’s all-or-nothing, closer inspection sees the Kenny McPeek trainee as 3: 3-0-0 in 2-turn dirt routes like the Iowa Derby. Smashing 104 and 100 BRIS late pace figures in his last 2 starts, including a local prep win in the Prairie Mile, give a lot of confidence for backing this Fair Grounds and Oaklawn allowance winner. The pick.5-DESERT GATE: The 9-5 morning line favorite obviously is the most credentialed runner in the field and trainer Bob Baffert’s 4 Iowa Derby wins are second-most to Steve Asmussen’s 5. Owners Pegram, Watson & Weitman have taken the back roads this year to more than $300,000 in seasonal earnings via Santa Anita, Oaklawn, Lone Star, Thistledown and now Iowa. Back 3 weeks after tiring in the 9-furlong Ohio Derby, he’s been a modest finisher routing, even in victory in the Texas Derby not visually impressive or by the numbers (86 BRIS late pace figure). Inclined to try and beat him Saturday. Note: Cross-entered in the Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis.6-OUTMATCH: Local sprinter gets the class and distance test in one deep dive. One-turn closer is difficult to project in the pace scenario under Elvin Gonzalez, who navigated Iowa Derby success in 2022 with local 11-1 upsetter Ain’t Life Grand. Pedigree doesn’t bed for the distance but finished well enough going shorter to have earned a shot. Prefer others.7-BRICKLIN: In 5 races around 2 turns, he’s lost margin to the winner in 4 of those, including disappointments at 6-5 and 2-1 odds in stakes company. Has some apparent talent but disheartening stamina leans more to his questionable damside pedigree than his classic-winning sire Nyquist. Note: Cross-entered in the Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis and may fit better there as 1 of his 2 lifetime victories came over that surface last year. However, connections are leaning to Iowa trip, reportedly.8-CANNED HEAT: The Prairie Mile runner-up was second-best late to J J Grey last out over 110 yards shorter in distance. There’s no shortage of pedigree here to get the trip, though interestingly this one sprinted 9 times in 11 starts. J J Grey worked twice to his 1 drill since the Prairie Mile, but this horse historically hasn’t done much clockwork in the morning for Jesse Oberlander. Barn is 2-45 on the year coming into the week and difficult to project getting all the candy Saturday.9-CHAD ALLAN: The field’s likely only true closer around 2 turns, expect jockey Alfredo Triana, Jr. to take him back off the pace from the opening bell and try to save ground behind the field. Second to Crupper and Desert Gate in separate stakes bids, he’s also dropped different decisions to The Hell We Did and Bricklin in the overnight ranks. He’ll get 8-10 pounds in relief from recent starts and benefits if they go fast; but deeper closers rarely find success on this racetrack. Underneath at best.Most Likely Exotics Contender:J J GREY has a win over the track, the best finishing figures in the lineup and has yet to be beaten around 2 turns on dirt.Best Longshot Contender:CRUPPER at 8-1 morning line is the most appealing of the prices. He fits better here than the Preakness, obviously, and isn’t afraid to fight in a race loaded with similar styles.​​Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$80 win J J GREY. $10 exacta part-wheel J J GREY over THE HELL WE DID and CRUPPER ($20).

The second week of summer racing at Saratoga is upon us beginning on Thursday afternoon with a nine-race card that gets rolling at 1:10 PM eastern. The card is headlined by four races over the grass, including a second-level allowance event that kicks off the late Pick 4. Here are a few horses I plan to build my day around to start the first four-day week in Saratoga Springs.Race 2:This 5.5-furlong dash over the grass for 2YOs drew a field of eight, including a quartet of first-time starters. Of those that have experience, #6 Generational is expected to take the most money, but I prefer #5 Beach Sandals. The Omaha Beach colt never got into things in his Saratoga debut during the Belmont Racing Festival, but showed strong speed in his runner-up finish at Churchill Downs in May. I like first-time starter #8 Pirate Ship most though. The Three Diamonds Farm colt was sent east from Keeneland by trainer Joe Sharp. Sharp sent four 2YOs to Saratoga last year to debut in a turf sprint. None went off at lower than 7-2. One won and only one finished out of the money. This son of Midshipman is out of a More Than Ready mare and draws favorably to the outside in the clear. I am willing to bet he is a runner.Play: #8 Pirate Ship (4-1 ML)Picks: 8-5-6Race 6:The Thursday feature is this $125k allowance event for fillies and mares run at one-mile over the Inner Turf. Trainer Chad Brown holds a strong hand in this one with 3-1-ML favorite #2 Play With Fire and 7-2-ML second choice #7 Opulent Restraint. Opulent Restraint does not interest me much, but is dangerous if they let John Velazquez set a moderate early tempo. Play With Fire is easier to like in a vacuum, but returns off a long break and takes on older gals for the first time. Trainer Phil Antonacci also has a two-filly entry with both making their first start in the States. Antonacci’s two runners to race last week both finished off the board, but he is a high percentage trainer that spots his horses to win. I will try the bigger price of his two on the ML #9 Ashikidah. The 4YO also makes her first start as a 4YO with just one try prior against older runners, but is likely to be double the price. She comes in off a steady series of works and should offer solid bang for the buck with Tyler Gaffalione jumping aboard.Play: #9 Ashikidah (6-1 ML)Picks: 9-1-7Race 9:Speaking of trainer Phil Antonacci, let’s take a swing in the finale with a first-time starter he sends out in this MSW event for 3YOs+ over the Inner Turf. A look around at those that have raced thus far shows a field that lacks early speed. Obviously, it takes projecting to get #6 Point Guard to be sharp enough to break well and the plan to be to see how far he can take them on the engine, but Antonacci legs up Ricardo Santana Jr. Santana is not a true one-trick pony in terms of his riding skills, but certainly has most often been at his best getting horses into the race early on. He takes the call on this Street Sense colt that should be fit and a big price. Hopefully, we can find a prominent spot early and beat this modest bunch of non-winners full of runners that come from bigger barns and are likely to take far more public support.Play: #6 Point Guard (15-1 ML)Picks: 6-5-1