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

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Charles Town | tonight’s racesTOURNAMENT TIME$100 Saratoga Feeder | details$80 Del Mar Feeder | details$40 Canterbury Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $170,210 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETPick 5 | $22,350 | Colonial Downs | begins Race 7 | 2:06 pm ETPick 5 | $78,887 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | begins Race 5 | 4:14 pm ETPick 4 | $76,709 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | begins Race 6 | 4:45 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $78,881 | Charles Town| begins Race 3 | 8:02 pm ETKEY RACESSaratoga | Race 8 | 5:14 pm ET | Birdstone StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXDelaware Park | Race 8 | 4:04 pm ETDel Mar | Race 6 | 7:34 pm ETCharles Town | Race 8 | 10:32 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHTim Padilla | Canterbury Park | all 6 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Saratoga | favorites won 7 of 9 races on the cardYesterday | Saratoga | jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. | 3 wins, 1 second from 7 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Spot Plays for ThursdayJeremy Plonk: Del Mar Spot Plays for ThursdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The Lead:Canada's most prestigious day of racing returns Saturday to Woodbine with the $1 million King's Plate putting the nation's native 3-year-olds on center stage for the 167th time. A field of 12 stuffs the entries for Race 10 of 12 on a program that features 6 stakes. First post is 12:30 pm ET.Horseplayers at Xpressbet be sure to check out the $3,000 Exacta-Thon on the Woodbine card as well as a $10 money-back special on win bets in the King's Plate if your selection finishes second or third. Tournament players can take part in the $1,000 Woodbine King's Plate Challenge handicapping contest.​​Field Depth:Grade 3 winners LUSTER, BRACHETTO and DIXIE LAW have the field's signature victories. HIGHWAYTOTHEMOON is a multiple stakes winner.​Pace:Over 1-1/4 miles on Tapeta, stamina may play a bigger role than brilliance. HIGHWAYTOTHEMOON and MAGICAL FACTOR appear most inclined to lead early, while IMYOURMEDICINEMAN has shown some early interest on occasion if asked to get into the mix. LUSTER won't be far off it from the rail. The pace looks average for a race of this distnace.Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.1-LUSTER: The even-money favorite looks to continue a successful run of fillies in the Plate, having won it 39 times previous. 3-time Plate winner Josie Carroll has seen 5 of her last 11 starters in this race finish in the exacta. Plenty fit with 3 starts at the meeting so only worked once since dominant Woodbine Oaks tally. The concern is 10F as her pedigree leans shorter and her BRIS late pace figure of just 80 in the 9F Oaks hints that her distance limit is near. Still, the one to beat.2-FIRE AND WINE: Overmatched at prices in the key main preps, the Marine and Plate Trial, and hasn't gotten back to strong juvenile performances.3-BAAEED ALYNNA: Lightly raced June 29 maiden breaker didn't show enough in middling Plate Trial effort to suggest success and loses rider Pietro Moran to another rival. Trainer Kevin Attard has won this race 3 of the last 4 years, but brings a weaker hand to this year's event.4-IMYOURMEDICINEMAN: Plate Trial runner-up at 29-1 is 1-for-7 and has lost 5 straight. Veteran Luis Contreras has struggled at the meet but won this in 2011 and 2017. Exotics consideration under.5-DIXIE LAW: 3-time local stakes winner captured last year's G3 Mazarine but hasn't had an answer for Luster in the G3 Selene or Woodbine Oaks in her last 2 starts. She didn't match her rival late in the Oaks but has run 3 different route BRIS late pace figures that were considerably faster than Luster's Oaks and perhaps can get back to that under last year's Plate-winning rider Pietro Moran.6-DON IQUE: Sneaky selection for me at 30-1 morning line. Late-running fifth in the Plate Trial after falling much farther back than in any previous start. Galloped out exceptionally well that day and damsire has an average winning distance of 10.5 furlongs, literally a half-mile farther than many of these rivals. Fired a 91 BRIS late pace figure when winning an allowance in May upon arriving in the barn of 3-time Plate-winning trainer Josie Carroll. The 'other' Josie here offers a much bigger price than Luster. Emma-Jayne Wilson won the 2007 Plate, so experience abounds.7-MAGICAL FACTOR: High-percentage trainer Rachel Halden wintered this gelding in Florida, broke his maiden on turf at Keeneland in April and punched his Plate ticket with a strong second in the G3 Marine. But he's yet to run beyond 1-1/16 miles and he leaves some pedigree questions for the trip. Not without a chance, but prefer others as 9 of the last 12 Plate winners prepped at 9F.8-HIGHWAYTOTHEMOON: Plate Trial and Queenston Stakes winner this season is the most credentialed male in the lineup and has been nearly flawless on the Tapeta (6: 4-1-1). Outlasted the Plate Trial cast after 6 prior sprints and 72 BRIS late pace figure won't scare the competition with another furlong added. Jockey Rafael Hernandez's 3 Plate winners - Shaman Ghost, Moira and Caitlhergrtness - were all super-classy individuals. Will be in confident hands.9-BRACHETTO: 18-1 upsetter of the G3 Marine Stakes had not been around 2 turns in 4 prior starts. Son of Vekoma gets stamina from damsire Include and now extends the trip another 330 yards while adding 8 additional pounds while coming off a 7-week break. Ryan Munger knows him well, riding in every start for trainer Julia Carey, who is having an excellent Woodbine meet. Mixed vibes.10-VERY SPECIAL: Maiden has yet to face winners in 3 starts, but exits a very live heat against open-company runners. Trainer Kevin Attard has won 3 of the last 4 editions of the King's Plate and this Stronach home-bred doesn't lack classic genes. He's by US Horse of the Year and Breeders' Cup Classic winner Ghostzapper and out of an unraced half-sister to Kentucky Derby and Travers winner Street Sense. Distance won't be an issue but 71 and 72 BRIS late pace figures have to be improved upon. Not impossible for a piece.11-BOND MARKET: Most lightly raced Plate entrant scored a turf mile debut win July 5 at Woodbine for the small Carlos Grant stable, 1 of 2 wins on the year. At 45-1 odds no less. Absolutely no shortage of distance pedigree but is being asked a lot on the class and distance rise (plus adding 8 pounds) with such a limited resume. Slow pace aided his field-best 92 BRIS late pace figure last out, but he gets some of that credit, too.12-MILITARY TIME: Consistent Tapeta performer for 3-time Plate winner Mark Casse, but he's dropped no less than 4 different decisions to members of this year field - DIXIE LAW, FIRE AND WINE and twice to HIGHWAYTOTHEMOON. Blinkers added to the son of Gun Runner hoping to get him over the top. Equipment changes in big races (particularly at 1-1/4 miles when distance is a question) can be a scary proposition. Can't say no completely, but others feel stronger and/or better value.Most Likely Exotics Contender:LUSTER has just 1 misstep in her 5-race career and continues to improve.Best Longshot Contender:DON IQUE could be among the most-fond in the field of the 10-furlong trip.​​Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$50 win DON IQUE. $24 exacta LUSTER over DON IQUE. $10 exacta DON IQUE over LUSTER. $2 exacta key-box DON IQUE with DIXIE LAW, HIGHWAYTOTHEMOON, VERY SPECIAL and MILITARY TIME ($16).

The racing week at Saratoga continues on Thursday afternoon with a nine-race card that kicks off at 1:10 PM eastern and is led by the $200k Birdstone at 1 3/4-miles over the main track. Here are a few horses I like most on the afternoon in New York.Race 6:This $130k allowance race at one-mile over the Inner Turf features the return of 2025 Belmont Oaks (G1) winner #1 Fionn. The Brad Cox trainee had an outstanding 3YO campaign that included six wins and nearly $2M in earnings. She raced once this year and it was in late January at Gulfstream Park where she finished a disappointing sixth in her first start versus older fillies and mares. Fionn has been on the sidelines since with Kentucky Downs lucrative purses likely on her mind once again after a victory over the unique configuration last month. This one-mile distance event is sharp for her unless something has changed significantly since we saw her last, so I will try to beat her given her 6-5-ML price.I will try with stablemate #4 Ready to Jam. The daughter of More Than Ready stretches out to two-turns in her third start under the care of Cox. She has not thrived in two-turn races thus far, but has only tried going long a few times. The way this Inner Turf course can play, the likelihood that the pace will be moderate, and upgrading to jockey Manny Franco all should work to her advantage. So does her 8-1-ML offering in this compact group of six.Play: #4 Ready to Jam (8-1 ML)Picks: 4-3-1Race 8: BirdstoneThe aforementioned feature at the arduous 1 3/4-mile distance drew a field of eight set to contest the marathon style event given American racing standards. Trainer Bill Mott got Sovereignty back to the winner’s circle last Saturday in the Whitney (G1) and holds a strong hand here with 8-5-ML favorite #1 Parchment Party and 5-2-second choice #3 Stars and Stripes. I prefer the latter.Stars and Stripes brought a two-race winning streak into the Suburban (G2) on the Fourth of July where he was beaten to the punch by Phileas Fogg, caught three-wide into the first turn, and outrun from there. I am willing to forgive the effort because not only was it the toughest field he ever encountered, but he also never got into the comfortable position I expect him to in this spot. Jockey Luis Saez is likely to have enough tactical speed from the gate to stalk just off likely pacesetter #2 Annexperience. This should allow him to settle into a good stride and get the jump on his main rivals. The fact he had success in his other start over this surface takes my concern away that he simply did not like the Saratoga dirt last out. Hopefully, we get the 5-2.Play: #3 Stars and Stripes (5-2 ML)Picks: 3-2-1Race 9:The finale is a MSW event for 3YOs+ at six-furlongs over the main track where I have little interest in 5-2-ML favorite #2 Criteria. The Yaupon colt has had five chances already for Chad Brown and has proven what he has at this point in his career. #10 Holy Seven is less experienced and has been far from a superstar through two starts, but had an excuse last time out when he broke sharp, battled early, and tired badly in the final furlong. The well-bred Into Mischief colt broke through the gate prior to his first race since September 12, 2025, which most horseplayers know generally does not work out well in the end. Obviously, it would have been nice to see the odds-on favorite finish with more energy, but I am willing to give the Steve Asmussen trainee a mulligan after showing some ability on debut in Kentucky in his lone juvenile run. It does not hurt that Jose Ortiz is also willing to give him another chance in the Thursday finale.Play: #10 Holy Seven (5-1 ML)Picks: 10-3-2

Eight races kick off Week 5 at Del Mar and we’ll alternate turf heats in the odd races and dirt races in the even. A trio of turf sprints are among the offerings. First post is 5 pm ET / 2 pm PT.Each day this summer at Del Mar, I’ll be handicapping the action with my top plays on the card – including full-card selections for a featured program each week (this week’s full-card will be Saturday).Del Mar: Race 1 | 5:00 pm ET#1 Iriseach (3-1 morning line odds) was completely pace-compromised in the Oceanside when they ran a super-slow :48-4/5 middle half-mile. Return rival Mr. A.P. benefitted from that and still couldn’t finish; likely overbet here. Iriseach is proven over the course last fall and adds Lasix for the first time Thursday for a Phil D’Amato barn that was sharp on point last week. Win bet #1. Picks 1-5-4Del Mar: Race 6 | 7:34 pm ET#9 Dazzle Comm (7-2 morning line odds) extends in trip for the first time off 2 initial sprints, an excellent form cycle and catches a field that appears to lack significant early pace. Faced significantly better in prior starts, a well-meant 6/5 debut winner last out and vs. Matt At Five in the debut, a horse who since has 2 allowance wins since. Win bet #9. Exactas 9 with 5,6. Daily Double 9-6. Picks 9-5-6Del Mar: Race 7 | 8:05 pm ET#6 Lee’s Baby Girl (5-1 morning line odds) is 5: 3-2-0 in turf sprints with both losses by a neck. Rock-solid and trustworthy in this spot and moves up by the fact that Carla Gaines’ horses have been running very well again in recent days at Del Mar. Win bet #6. Exacta key-box 6 with 3,5,4. Picks 6-3-5

To quote Bon Jovi, “Oh, we’re halfway there” to the 2026 Fun in the Sun Final Table. Four of 8 qualifying weeks are in the books for the annual Saratoga / Del Mar handicapping contest at Xpressbet. So far 19 players have claimed 20 of the 40 available seats in the Labor Day Final Table, whose progressive jackpot now stands at $13,315 with $10,000-added from Xpressbet.Week 5 this Saturday once again features the final 5 races at Saratoga and first 5 races at Del Mar. Those contest heats include the Grade 1 Christophe Clement Turf and the Galway Stakes from the Spa.Week 4 featured Franco Pacione topping all players with a $264.20 bankroll to earn the $1,144.50 first prize and Final Table seat. Runner-up Joseph McKay ($243.70 bankroll, $476.88 prize) and George Scott ($239.00 bankroll, $286.12 prize) also cashed. The top-5 who earned Final Table seats were rounded out by Terence Severson ($236.20 bankroll) and Gregory Caliway ($209.40 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 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.

EXTRA INCENTIVES1 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Saratoga | late pick 4 todayTOURNAMENT TIME$100 Saratoga Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $151,379 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETPick 6 | $192,498 | Saratoga | begins Race 4 | 2:56 pm ETPick 5 | $78,887 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | begins Race 5 | 4:14 pm ETPick 4 | $76,709 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | begins Race 6 | 4:45 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $56,431 | Assiniboia Downs | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ETKEY RACESHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 8 | 5:47 pm ET | Ellen’s Lucky Star StakesHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 9 | 6:18 pm ET | Snack HandicapAssiniboia Downs | Race 4 | 9:50 pm ET | Phil Kives StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXSaratoga | Race 6 | 4:04 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 8 | 5:47 pm ETMountaineer | Race 3 | 7:50 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHChad Brown | Saratoga | 5 of 6 entrants 9-2 or less odds (3 at 8-5 or less)DID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Horseshoe Indianapolis | Race 6 | nation’s highest paying win ($90), exacta ($540), trifecta ($1473) and superfecta ($99,679)PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Carryover Pick 6 Key Plays for WednesdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The new racing week at Saratoga Race Course begins in style since no horseplayers were able to piece together the $1 Pick 6 on Sunday afternoon. This leaves us with $192,498 in the traditional Pick 6 heading into a nine-race Wednesday card that begins with a steeplechase stakes event. The big money sequence kicks off shortly before 3PM eastern with Race 4. Here are a few horses I consider must uses over the final six races.Race 6:This full-field auction-restricted MSW event for 2YO fillies sprinting over the grass is likely to test Pick 6 players quite a bit that make it through the first two legs. A number of first-time starters have good chances, but I like a filly with experience most. #8 Sweet Grace was scratched off the also-eligible list in a similar spot on Sunday afternoon, but lands squarely in the body of this group. The Candy Ride filly was beaten out of the gate on debut on July 16, but showed professionalism from there relaxing kindly along the inside with a mid-pack position in the early stages. She put in a run trying to get to the easy winner that day, but tired mid-stretch and ended up finishing fifth. Trainer James Ryerson is 3 for 11 at the Spa dating back to the start of July with a massive $10.27 ROI and sends out a gal that holds the experience edge against the majority of her rivals. If she can find a better position early on, I expect jockey Christopher Elliott to make a strong run late at a fair ML price.Play: #8 Sweet Grace (6-1 ML)Picks: 8-4-5Race 7:This full-field state-bred MSW event for 2YOs over the main track is not much easier for horizontal players given the fact the 12 runners entered in the main body have three total races under their belt. Once again, I will endorse one of those with experience #4 In the Queue. The daughter of Honest Mischief drew in off the AE list for her debut last month, so she was drawn to the far outside with Dylan Davis in the saddle. In the Queue broke well and was right off the pace early on, but while being caught wide throughout. She battled with two rivals to her inside before understandably tiring badly late. Now, she returns to the races with a favorable start under her belt where she flashed good early speed, moves to an inside post, and attracts a better front-end rider for her second try in Luis Saez. Saez should have her involved early and hopefully tough to catch late at a square 8-1-ML offering.Play: #4 In the Queue (8-1 ML)Picks: 4-5-10Race 8:The Wednesday feature is this first-level allowance at 1 1/8-miles over the main track where I do not expect the pace to be too fast in the early stages. #3 Higher Force might be the aggressor, but #2 Hidden Rose should find a favorable prominent position on the backstretch like she did out of the Wilson chute on July 9. The Connect filly has yet to compete at nine-furlongs over the dirt, but finished strong two-back in a true two-turn race at Finger Lakes before a solid runner-up effort to heavy favorite Soaring High on July 9. The probable trip plus her ability to show tactical speed and still get the distance make her my top choice in the penultimate leg of sequence.Play: #2 Hidden Rose (3-1 ML)Picks: 2-1-7