If Saturday’s Belmont Stakes is the main course for Saratoga’s Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, the 14-race card Friday can be considered an appealing appetizer. Not only are there three Grade 1 and two Grade 2 stakes to wager on, Xpressbet and 1/ST BET are offering an exciting Exacta-Thon promotion that allows bettors to win up to $10,000 in bonus cash on both days. The rules are simple: If you wager the $2 base minimum on six winning exacta combinations, you will win or share $8,000 in prize money on Friday and/or Saturday. The contestant(s) with the most winning exactas will win or share an additional $2,000. The exacta payout amounts have no bearing on the outcome. Bet on six winning exactas during the card and you win, plain and simple. For more Belmont Stakes coverage, access the free 1/ST Belmont Stakes Wager Guide.We’ll try to get you started with five exactas on the Friday card listed below that will cost $84 to play:Saratoga 2nd Race (12:19 p.m. EST)Morning-line favorite KENNY BE showed promise at the onset of his career and appears rounding back to his stakes-placed form as a 2-year-old after a sub-par 2025 season. But try to beat him in the Exacta-Thon on the grounds that the runners he beat in his first victory are 10-for-69 since then with only two allowance wins, and the rivals he ran away from last out were 9-for-60 heading into the entry-level allowance for New York breds. ELYSIAN MEADOWS rallied for two seconds and a third in four allowance sprints, spanning five starts since March of last year. But he should get ample pace flow to launch another contending rally. HIT THE POST was out-dueled by the winner in his seasonal debut at 7F on a sloppy track and finished a length behind Elysian Meadows. But he broke his maiden in style off a layoff last year and shows a fastest-of-37 workout at the training track here since his last start.$2 Exacta-Thon Wagers: 2, 3 with 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 (Cost $20)Saratoga 4th Race (1:29 p.m. EST)WAYS AND MEANS has an unmistakable way about her at Saratoga. Pick a superlative – brilliant, jaw-dropping, timeless – and it applies to the 5-year-old mare’s history at the upstate New York track. She won her debut here by 12-1/2 lengths, the Grade 1 Test on a muddy track at this distance as a 3-year-old and posted a 111 Beyer speed figure when she romped in the Grade 2 Bed ‘O Roses last June at age 4 to set up today’s title defense. Her only loss locally was a troubled second in the Grade 1 Spinaway. But she could face one of her toughest challenges in the form of GRAND JOB, who arrived from Ireland in the Fall of 2023. She won three of her first four starts stateside by 19-1/4 lengths and upstaged that run through the allowance ranks with a pair of triple-digit speed figures in winning the Grade 2 Inside Information and missing by a nose in the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland, both at 7F. If the favorites don’t run 1-2, the versatile SENZA, a smashing debut winner at Saratoga two years ago, or late running, two-time graded stakes winner PRAYING could sneak into the exacta.$2 Exacta-Thon Wager: 3 with 1, 4, 5 (Cost $6)Saratoga 8th Race (3:52 p.m. EST)MENTEE appeared hopelessly beaten when an erratic, onrushing rival cut in front of him at the half-mile marker, forcing him to check and lose several lengths in a 6F turf sprint. But he recovered well from the mishap, hitting his best stride in the stretch to finish third on the yielding turf. In similar fashion, the well-traveled BOLTAGE was well-reserved while saving ground on the backstretch, but he lost all chance when forced to check sharply. He dropped back to last on the turn, then rallied strongly in the stretch to get beat 2-1/4 lengths in a six-figure allowance at Keeneland. GOLD TRUST, one of seven entrants with $200,000-plus in grass earnings, won 3 of his last 5 sprints and looks to bounce back off a sub-par effort in his second start off a layoff like he did in winning an allowance race last year. It’s anybody’s race in here, so put the three aforementioned runners on top of a deep ticket.$2 Exacta-Thon Wagers: 6, 7, 10 with 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 12 (Cost: $30)Saratoga 10th Race Acorn Stakes (5:08 p.m. EST)ALWAYS A RUNNER stalked a fast pace, advanced 3-wide on the final turn and drove past the dueling leaders in the final sixteenth of the Kentucky Oaks (G-1) to remain unbeaten in three starts. She will be a popular Exacta-Thon play against similar rivals in today’s Grade 1 Acorn at the same 1-1/8-mile distance. But don’t sell PROM QUEEN short as a better price option in the rematch. She was visually impressive and handled with supreme confidence when winning the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G-2) in the race prior. But in the Kentucky Oaks, she was squeezed shortly after the break, raced far back on the backstretch, rallied extremely wide on the turn and finished willingly when angled inside through the lane. She could change tactics from the rail and be the target today.$2 Exacta-Thon Wagers: 1-2, 1-3, 1-5 and 5-1 (Cost $8)Saratoga 13th Race (7:04 p.m. EST)KARLEY B was bet down to 3-to-5 after a troubled third in her debut. She trailed early after a bumpy start at 6F, made a quick 3-wide bid to engage the leaders nearing the turn, wore down the 2-1 favorite in mid-stretch and galloped out strongly. The daughter of multiple graded stakes-winning router Girvin should handle the added ground.$2 Exacta-Thon Wagers: 7-ALL (Cost $20)

Thursday afternoon’s card in Saratoga that starts at 12:35 PM eastern is headlined by a trio of graded stakes races spread over the 11-race slate. Of the three, the Intercontinental (G2) over the grass is the one that intrigues the most. Here are a few horses I plan to build my Day 2 of the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival around. For more Belmont Stakes coverage, access the free 1/ST Belmont Stakes Wager Guide.Race 1:My best bet of the afternoon comes in the lid lifter where I love the chances of second-time starter #6 Margie’s Girl. The $345k FTK July ’25 purchase was not expected to take much money in her first start based on human connections and other data, but took a ton of support at the windows suggesting there was more to her than one might think. The daughter of Vekoma broke well in Louisville at first asking, but was outsprinted early forcing jockey Luan Machado to make a wide before she was able to find her best stride late. A big move forward should be expected with the start under her belt and a rider switch to the hottest rider on the continent. Hopefully, the Kenny McPeek trainee can start the day off the right way in this 5.5-furlong dash over the main track.Play: #6 Margie’s Girl (3-1 ML)Race 2: Jersey GirlThe lone non-graded stakes event on the Thursday slate is this 6-furlong dash for 3YO filly sprinters where #6 Mythical is expected to go off the prohibitive favorite. The Florida-bred heads back to New York after rattling off a pair of easy victories at Gulfstream Park this spring for trainer Jorge Delgado. There is no doubt the daughter of St Patrick’s Day is the one to beat, but I will take a swing against her with #4 Paige Turner. The Cherie DeVaux trainee was clearly well-meant in her first race off the layoff on May 1 at Churchill Downs, but it was #1 Carmel Coast who got the jump and had no desire in stopping. Carmel Coast also returns in this spot, but draws the rail and should have things a bit tougher in the early stages. This would bode well for the $350k OBS March ’25 purchase that has done little wrong thus far through four starts. Paige Turner is a filly I have always been extremely high on and should be the best price of her career since being sent off at 6-1 over this surface last August on debut.Play: #4 Paige Turner (4-1 ML)Race 8: Intercontinental (G3)My final play of the afternoon comes in this aforementioned 5.5-furlong turf dash for older fillies and mares where 3-1-ML favorite #3 In Our Time (pictured) should be a tough customer. The daughter of Not This Time cut back in distance in April in the Giant’s Causeway (G2) at Keeneland after a pair of starts against quality competition going two-turns. Saffie Joseph Jr. turned to jockey Flavien Prat in Kentucky last out and it paid dividends. Prat found a perfect spot early after breaking well and cruised home to an easy victory in the end. Often times fading runners off favorable trips can be a winning strategy, but In Our Time projects to get the same trip here against a field she should be able to handle. I will key her on top in verticals and single her in late horizontals.Play: #3 In Our Time (3-1 ML)

The Lead:The prestigious $1 million Metropolitan Handicap, the Met Mile, highlights Saturday's Belmont Stakes Day undercard at Saratoga. The 14-race card includes 7 major stakes, featuring the final jewel in the Triple Crown. We've got you covered for that one in the free 1/ST Belmont Stakes Wager Guide. But the Race 11 Met Mile is annually one of my favorite races and will be the focus here.​​Field Depth:Grade 1 winners NYSOS, JOURNALISM, ANTIQUARIAN and SAUDI CROWN are among the field of 7. KNIGHTSBRIDGE is a multiple Grade 3 winner. Knocking off the G1 winners here will be a tall ask.​Pace:Sprinter RATED BY MERIT, rapid miler SAUDI CROWN, KNIGHTSBRIDGE and inside-drawn VIBE and NYSOS should all employ some degree of early speed and provide a rapid pace. A strong finisher has every chance if he fires.​Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.1-NYSOS: The Baffert-Prat tandem won this race 2 years ago with National Treasure and this big-time threat is only 1-1/4 lengths from perfection from 9 starts. He’s 44-and-change fast when necessary but hasn’t shown that kind of pace of late. Expect some early ask from the rail coming out of the chute as this one has been freshened since February and working fast as you’d expect for the barn. Horses cutting back in trip, like he and Journalism in this field, win 16% in Saratoga chute races (13% for those returning at a mile, 12% for those stretching out off their most-recent race).2-VIBE: Improving class riser scratched from last week’s Blame Stakes at Churchill for this more difficult test, a sign the horse should be doing well. Outran a graded-stakes winner in Bullard on the Kentucky Derby undercard, so there’s some measure of quality. But there are in a different league. Has employed a first-over trip to win 3 straight but will have to work very hard to get that kind of journey Saturday.3-ANTIQUARIAN: Deep-closing Jockey Club Gold Cup winner over this surface last year at 10 furlongs surprised me by his handiness to win the 1-turn Westchester last out at Aqueduct, beating Cigar Mile hero Bishops Bay. John Velazquez wins 26% in Saratoga chute races so he’ll give him every chance in a Met Mile he’s won 5 times downstate. Todd Pletcher won this race with more brilliant Quality Road and Palace Malice. Likely to be overlooked, but not without a chance behind a great pace set-up.4-SAUDI CROWN: $3.6 million earner flutters between elite race placements and easier spots, diving back into the deep end Saturday after scoring twice this season against lesser competition. The 2023 Jim Dandy runner-up was solid in his only previous Spa appearance and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. is a 24% winner from the Saratoga chute, while Brad Cox has won 6 of 18 such races (33%). Does his best work on the lead, and that makes for a more difficult assignment while other pace abounds.5-RATED BY MERIT: Brings sprint speed to the Met Mile and has made the lead in 5 of 6 career starts. Suffered his only defeat last out in the Grade 2 Carter when fourth, his only start since October’s win in the Discovery. Chad Brown trainee gets Dylan Davis on a rider change and will be the biggest price of his career while facing easily his stiffest test. He certainly plays a role in how the race will be run (and likely won).6-KNIGHTSBRIDGE: The air came out of the tires on Kentucky Derby Day when he faded through the lane to finish sixth in the Churchill Downs Stakes. That snapped a 4-race winning streak that saw him win a trio of Grade 3 stakes. His series of 3 workouts since that last start indicate he’s no worse for the wear and a rebound candidate. This field looks tougher overall and there’s no shortage of early heat, but the pace probably won’t be as sharp over a mile as it was at 7 furlongs, and that chould keep him in the hunt. Bill Mott and Junior Alvarado teamed to win the 2023 Met Mile with Cody’s Wish.7-JOURNALISM: Classy 2025 Belmont Stakes runner-up was a clear-cut second in his only try over the Saratoga surface and returns while making his second start of the ’26 season. All 6 career wins (and 11 of 12 starts) have come in traditional, 2-turn races; the mile chute configuration here and trip are the obvious hurdles. Lost his composure in the gate at Oaklawn in his only try this year so it will be important to see if he keeps his cool pre-race. Loading last could work to his benefit, and nobody is riding better than Jose Ortiz, who teams back up with Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes. The pace scenario should suit his tenacious style and note the Californians have won both Met Mile editions held at Saratoga – National Treasure in 2024 (Bob Baffert) and Raging Torrent in 2025 (Doug O’Neill).Most Likely Exotics Contender:JOURNALISM is 12-12 in the superfecta lifetime, experienced over the track and gets a positive race shape in front of him to rally.Best Longshot Contender:ANTIQUARIAN at 6-1 morning line isn’t a huge price, but is off the radar as fourth choice and would not surprise to be in the exacta.​Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$75 win JOURNALISM. $25 exacta JOURNALISM-ANTIQUARIAN.

BELMONT STAKES COVERAGE1/ST Belmont Stakes Wager Guide | Free Access | Daily UpdatesScott Shapiro: Saratoga Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Spot Plays for WednesdaySCHEDULE NOTESSaratoga | opening day of 5-day Belmont Stakes Racing FestivalTOURNAMENT TIME$100 Belmont Stakes Challenge feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 5 | $14,380 | Delaware Park | begins Race 1 | 12:20 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $8,344 | Churchill Downs | Race 1 | 12:45 pm ETPick 5 | $14,380 | Delaware Park | begins Race 3 | 1:24 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $106,841 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETPick 5 | $15,463 | Delaware Park | begins Race 4 | 1:56 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $123,837 | Churchill Downs | begins Race 4 | 2:13 pm ETPick 5 | $13,618 | Finger Lakes | begins Race 4 | 2:22 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $86,255 (CAN) | Assiniboia Downs | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ET--Note Charles Town ($101,971) has a mandatory payout coming ThursdayKEY RACESSaratoga | Race 1 | 12:35 pm ET | Steinman Hurdle HandicapSaratoga | Race 2 | 1:11 pm ET | Bouwerie StakesSaratoga | Race 3 | 1:45 pm ET | Mount Vernon StakesSaratoga | Race 4 | 2:19 pm ET | Kingston StakesSaratoga | Race 5 | 2:53 pm ET | Critical Eye StakesSaratoga | Race 8 | 4:38 pm ET | Mike Lee StakesSaratoga | Race 9 | 5:13 pm ET | Commentator StakesHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 8 | 5:55 pm ET | Shelby County StakesHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 9 | 6:26 pm ET | William Henry Harrison StakesAssiniboia Downs | Race 3 | 9:25 pm ET | Beausox StakesAssiniboia Downs | Race 6 | 10:40 pm ET | Lil Missknowitall StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXChurchill Downs | Race 5 | 2:45 pm ETDelaware Park | Race 7 | 3:32 pm ETSaratoga | Race 7 | 4:03 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHBrandon Kulp | Presque Isle, Penn National | all 8 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Horseshoe Indianapolis | favorites won 6 of 9 races on both cardsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Spot Plays for WednesdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The start of a fantastic week of thoroughbred racing in Saratoga Springs, New York is nearly upon us. The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival kicks off in earnest on Wednesday afternoon for the first of 5 cards headlined by Saturday’s third jewel of the Triple Crown. Wednesday is for the New York-breds and the slate came up as good as one could hope. Here are a few horses I like most to get things started at one of my favorite places on the planet.‍For more Belmont Stakes coverage, check out the 1/ST Belmont Stakes Wager Guide, free, with daily updates.Race 4: KingstonThis 1 1/16-mile event over the Inner Turf is likely to be bet like a three-horse race between #2 George Briggs, #6 Mi Bago, and #7 Spirit of St Louis. Mi Bago and Spirit of St Louis have the substantial class edge, but I still prefer George Briggs. The son of Fog of War was moved into the Miguel Clement barn before his last start against allowance foes at Aqueduct on June 3. He passed the test with flying colors at odds-on pulling away late to win very easily at this same distance. He has to prove himself against better competition, but should be set for his best with Flavien Prat back to ride. A win bet at 2-1 or higher for me and a single in horizontals.Play: #2 George Briggs (2-1 ML)Race 5: Critical EyeI definitely will hope to be live with a Daily Double out of the Kingston into this 9-furlong affair over the main track to #1 Walk With Me. The Central Banker mare ran three times at one-turn this winter/spring at Aqueduct, including a win against open company allowance foes at 12-1 in February. With the two favorites #3 Landed and #7 Bernietakescharge potentially compromising each other’s chances on the front end, it is quite possible the David Duggan trainee will be in the perfect spot to take advantage. The fact she has a win at the distance and gets a major rider upgrade to Flavien Prat gives me reason to believe that with the right voyage she can out finish this group late. Duggan does not start a ton of horses, but thus far in 2026 he has won with 7 of 36. 18 have finished in the money. Hopefully, she stays at her ML price or floats slightly higher.Play: #1 Walk With Me (7-2 ML)Race 8: Mike LeeMy final spot play on the Wednesday agenda comes in a strong edition of this 7-furlong event over the main track. There are some talented runners in here, but I am going to try to beat the logicals with #2 B Thedonald. The pace should be contentious, which should bode well for those who can settle early and finish with energy. This lightly-raced son of Girvin certainly fits the bill. He comes in to his first stakes try off a pair of narrow wins in similar voyages as he encounters in his first trip to upstate New York. Trainer Horacio De Paz comes in smoking hot, winning with 8 of 27 over the last 30 days for a $3.05 ROI. The $60k EAS May ’25 purchase should be finishing well off a favorable voyage if he is up to the class test.Play: #2 B Thedonald (10-1 ML)

BELMONT STAKES COVERAGE 1/ST Belmont Stakes Wager Guide | Free Access | Daily UpdatesBelmont Stakes Post Position Draw ReactionEXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Parx | today’s racesNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $330,722 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $97,643 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $74,335 (CAN) | Assiniboia Downs | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ETKEY RACESAssiniboia Downs | Race 3 | 9:25 pm ET | Corporate Shuffle StakesAssiniboia Downs | Race 5 | 10:15 pm ET | Beau Blade StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 7 | 5:16 pm ETPenn National | Race 2 | 6:15 pm ETMountaineer | Rae 2 | 7:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJonathan Wong | Louisiana Downs | all 5 entrants 3-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Finger Lakes, Thistledown | favorites won 6 of 8 races on both cardsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Parx Bet $100, Get $10 Spot Plays for TuesdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Throughout June, Tuesdays and Thursday heat up at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet with our Summertime Scores promotion. Bet $100, Get $10 on select tracks this month. First up Tuesday will be Parx – and note Thursday’s offering will be the Belmont Stakes Festival card at Saratoga. Here’s how I’ll approach Parx with an assist from the Betmix Angler database.Parx Race 8 | 3:49 pm ET#3 Global Steve (15-1 morning line odds) looked like a good thing in winning both juvenile starts in 2024, but made only 3 starts in 2025 and 1 in February this year before going to the sideline again. Trainer Butch Reid adds first-time Lasix and note this barn has done nearly everything right the past 3 weeks at Parx going 11: 6-1-1 during that span. It’s a very tough field, so let’s work this price play with a small win bet and an exacta key-box 3 with 1,2,6 trying to pair up with 1 of the talented logical contenders.Parx Race 9 | 4:16 pm ET#2 Fast Bob (9-5 morning line odds) just missed against tougher last out and drops in class off the claim for Parx’s hottest trainer, Ernesto Padilla-Preciado. That barn has won 30% with nearly 50% in the exacta from 30 starters over the past 3 weeks locally. Well-drawn and gets the nod over Jamie Ness’ favored Walk Away Joe. Win bet. Use daily doubles from Race 8 to get to this one and single in the late-day multi-race bets.Eligible tracks and days:• Tuesday, June 2 // Parx• Thursday, June 4 // Saratoga• Tuesday, June 9 // Finger Lakes• Thursday, June 11 // Horseshoe Indianapolis• Tuesday, June 16 // Mountaineer• Thursday, June 18 // Canterbury• Tuesday, June 23 // Thistledown• Thursday, June 25 // Colonial Downs• Tuesday, June 30 // Fort Erie

The Kentucky Derby 1-2 rematch between Golden Tempo and Renegade is set after a field of 9 was drawn today for Saturday’s 158th Belmont Stakes, final jewel in the Triple Crown. Saratoga will be the backdrop for a third straight year as Renegade opens as the 2-1 morning line favorite from post 4. Golden Tempo begins the mile and one-quarter journey from post 9 and looks to follow Sovereignty’s path from a year ago as bookend winners in the Triple Crown series.Check out the 1/ST Belmont Stakes Wager Guide for all your handicapping needs leading up to a huge weekend in upstate New York. Play with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet in our $20,000 Exacta-Thon on Friday and Saturday for your share of bonus cash.The moderate field size and extended run through the entire stretch the first time makes post positions less important than in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. The big question Saturday in terms of positioning will be where the Belmont Stakes early speed comes from and how that might impact the running. Of the 9 runners in the field and their 41 combined races, only once has any of these runners been sent to the early lead – Ottino in a New Year’s Eve maiden race (he’s been far back early in both stakes attempts since). Ottinho breaks from post 5. Powershift, Growth Equity and Chief Wallabee may be best-equipped to attack the front if jockey intent and a cooperative racehorse matches that strategy. With Powershift in post 2 and Chief Wallabee in post 3, their likelihood to show more early tempo perhaps increased with the draw. Growth Equity in post 6 should be able to find a place outside some of the other potential speed if they go for the front. The drop-back style of Golden Tempo is optimal for the widest draw as he’ll let the field flow out in front of him and be able to save ground as Jose Ortiz sees fit. Renegade is no worse for the draw as well and I could see him bet lower than the 2-1 morning line estimate.Fields for all races Wednesday through Saturday at the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival are now set. Saturday’s Met Mile tops the undercard with a clash of 2025 Preakness winner Journalism and last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile victor Nysos. Advance wagering on the complete Belmont Stakes Saturday card at Saratoga will be available both Thursday and Friday at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet.Belmont Stakes | Saratoga | Saturday Race 13 | 7:04 pm ET1-Vitruvian Man (Doug O’Neill / Antonio Fresu) 30-12-Powershift (Todd Pletcher / Luis Saez) 12-13-Chief Wallabee (Bill Mott / Junior Alvarado) 3-14-Renegade (Todd Pletcher / Irad Ortiz Jr.) 2-15-Ottinho (Chad Brown / Dylan Davis) 20-16-Growth Equity (Chad Brown / Manny Franco) 12-17-Commandment (Brad Cox / John Velazquez) 6-18-Emerging Market (Chad Brown / Flavien Prat) 6-19-Golden Tempo (Cherie DeVaux / Jose Ortiz) 9-2Special WagersAll Dirt Two Day Pick 6 (20-cent minimum, 15% takeout)- Friday’s Acorn & Phipps to Saturday’s True North, Woody Stephens, Met Mile and Belmont Stakes.All Turf Two Day Pick 5 (50-cent minimum, 15% takeout)- Friday’s Wonder Again, New York to Saturday’s Just a Game, Jaipur and Manhattan.Daily Doubles ($5 minimum, 18.5% takeout)- Friday’s Acorn to Saturday’s Belmont Stakes- Friday’s New York Stakes to Saturday’s Belmont Stakes- Saturday’s Woody Stephens to Saturday’s Belmont Stakes- Saturday’s Met Mile to Saturday’s Belmont Stakes