Mother Nature forced the postponement of racing on Wednesday afternoon, but hopefully surfaces will be fast and firm by the time we get to Jim Dandy Day on Saturday. The 12-race card at Saratoga that is headlined by the return of Renegade and Commandment in their likely prep before next month’s Travers (G1) also includes the Saratoga Special (G2) and Lake George (G3) and gets rolling at 12:30 PM eastern. Be sure to play in the Bet $200, Get $20 promotion at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet on Saturday. Bet at least $100 on both the Del Mar and Saratoga cards to receive the bonus cash in your account. Here are my full card thoughts.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: B-Use: 4 Bittersweet Memory; 3 Correlation TradeForecast: The opener is a MSW event for 2YO fillies at 1 1/16-miles over the Inner Turf where I landed on #4 Bittersweet Memory. The daughter of The Factor was scheduled to debut a few weeks back for Kelsey Danner, but was forced to scratch after flipping in the paddock before the race. She was re-entered quickly last weekend, but did not draw in off the AE list. She appears live at first asking, as does the more obvious #3 Correlation Trade. Chad Brown is just 3 for 25 over the last two years with 2YOs debuting in turf routes at Saratoga, but the three winners were all Klaravich Stables runner like this gal. He is more than capable of having his runners ready to win first out. Correlation Trade attracts Flavien Prat and draws favorably along the inside.Race 2:Grade: C+Use: 2 Annotate; 6 Lot of Loon; 8 DoitforjackForecast: A pair of first-time starters intrigue in this 6-furlong dash over the main track for NY-bred maidens, as well as a filly with experience. I landed on #2 Annotate on top given her early speed through two starts. She battled between rivals in her first start at Aqueduct before giving way badly followed by a Saratoga debut where she stalked early while wide on the backstretch and once again lacked energy late. She needs to run better, but could have a pace advantage with Ricardo Santana Jr. aboard. Lot of Loon and Doiforjack both draw outside Annotate. They both have showed talent in the mornings and attract top tier riders.Race 3:Grade: C+Use: 2 Tuscan Sky; 6 Reasoned Analysis; 1 GewurztraminerForecast: #6 Reasoned Analysis is the likeliest winner of this $100k claimer out of the Wilson chute after backing off and opting to stalk the contentious pace in his return on July 4 in a rare race over this configuration that fell apart late. The son of Upstart has every reason to move forward with the start under his belt and the strong run off the bench, but the tote will almost certainly illustrate that. #2 Tuscan Sky was toiling in the back in the same race my top choice exits because for some reason he was caught in between two runners as part of a three-way speed duel early on. That was not the trip backers anticipated on the Fourth of July, but either way it feels like now or never for this Repole Stable gelding that should sit a much more favorable mid-pack voyage with Flavien Prat back aboard.Race 4:Grade: B-Use: 1 Subjugation/9 Dream More; 6 Cybersteel; 4 Chief of StaffForecast: The regally-bred first-time starter #9 Dream More, as well as other promising juvenile debut runners headline this six-furlong MSW event for 2YOs over the main track, but do not snooze on second-time starter #1 Subjugation. The pricey son of Bee Jersey ran a big second on debut at Ellis Park to odds-on winner Antivenom with nearly six lengths back to third. He showed strong gate speed in his first start, so the inside draw should end up working beautifully. I will ride with him, but have plenty of respect for the aforementioned $1.5M son of Gun Runner, as well #4 Chief of Staff and #6 Cybersteel. Taking too short of a price on anyone seems foolish. There is plenty of upside on display. I will have my note pad out.Race 5:Grade: C+Use: 6 Wyna; 8 Life ChangingForecast: Trainer Brad Cox has meant business thus far with 2YO first-time starters over the Saratoga dirt. Cox has started seven debut runners over the main track in New York dating back to July 11. He has three wins, a second, and a third to show for it. The high-percentage conditioner sends out this $200k daughter of Complexity that also looks live at first asking. I will side with her and the half-sister to Seize the Grey, #8 Life Changing in this 6-furlong dash over the main track. The Repole Stable filly fired a best of 120 runners gate drill over the training track on July 20 and draws favorably. She attracts the aggressive Luis Saez.Race 6: Saratoga Special (G2)Grade: CUse: 3 Twinkle TownForecast: Sanford Stakes (G3) winner #4 Booked returns to the races in the first of three graded stakes races on the Saturday slate. The Yaupon colt took a step forward to win his first start versus winners, but could be vulnerable given the fact that no one has won both the Sanford and Saratoga Special since City Zip in 2000. Steve Asmussen obviously knows his colt best though and is understandably aiming to strike while the iron is hot. He is a likely winner as is dominant first out winner #6 Flight Command, but maybe #3 Twinkle Town will get slightly overlooked. The Kenny McPeek runner showed strong gate speed on debut over the off track and cruised home to an easy victory. He attracts Jose Ortiz for his first stakes try.Race 7:Grade: B+Use: 8 Iron Dome; 7 Pagode/2 Hop SingForecast: I like older runners to handle the lightly raced 3YOs in this nine-furlong affair for first-level allowance foes over the main track. #8 Iron Dome is the one I like most. The New York-bred thrived against softer competition over this surface and distance last summer and comes off a solid runner-up effort when chasing an inside speed winner all the way around the track. He should be prominent early and primed for his best. #7 Pagode also is an intriguing option. The Constitution gelding commanded $255k at the FTK Horses of Racing Age Sale earlier this year and attracts Irad Ortiz. He has been camera shy of late, but fits well with these nonetheless.Race 8:Grade: B-Use: 1 Big Earn; 5 Silsbee/6 Heat MissileForecast: There should be an honest pace at the very least in this first-level allowance at 5.5-furlongs over the grass. #2 Lady Jancis is very quick with others to her outside that also like to be prominent early. This should set things up for a runner from the second or third tier. #5 Silsbee will take plenty of public support in her second start off the bench after battling early and giving way late last month. Edgard Zayas should be able to find a favorable stalking voyage instead of getting caught up in a speed duel like she did in her 4YO debut. She makes plenty of sense, but not from a wagering perspective. #1 Big Earn makes far more at her likely price. The Maryland-bred ships north after a trio of solid sprints over the Laurel sod this spring. Hopefully, Luis Saez can relax her in the pocket early and out finish this bunch late. #6 Heat Missile is a total wild card, but the fact she attracts Jose Ortiz in her first Stateside start is at least noteworthy.Race 9:Grade: A-Use: 6 AmberglenForecast: My best bet of the day comes in this 1 1/16-mile event over the Inner Turf where #6 Amberglen makes her first trip to Saratoga for trainer Brad Cox. The Stonestreet Stables filly won despite being caught wide throughout in a two-turn route race to kick off her career at Keeneland in the fall before competing in a stakes race over the all-weather at Gulfstream Park due to it getting washed off the grass. She lost little in defeat when Luster got the jump on her in her 3YO debut in Lexington in April and pranced home to an easy win on the front end at Churchill Downs last month. She has tactical speed and class and should work out a favorable trip in her New York debut.Race 10:Grade: C+Use: 5 Commandment/1 Chip HonchoForecast: The featured event drew a compact group of five to travel the 1 1/8-miles distance in the local prep for the Travers (G1) next month led by the second and third place finishers from the Belmont (G1). #5 Commandment was made the slight favorite over #3 Renegade after getting the best of him in the lane despite a less favorable voyage. Renegade might have been best in the Kentucky Derby (G1), but disappointed badly in the third jewel of the Triple Crown. He will win without me. Commandment has been one of the most consistent of this modest crop and beats these with a repeat of his last. The blinkers going on is not something I love before a big race, but it also could provide a higher ceiling. I am not lining up to bet him at his probable offering, but like his chances to earn his first win since the Florida Derby (G1). #1 Chip Honcho appears to be lone speed on paper, but everyone can see that. He has been a cut below the top tier of this group throughout the process and has done nothing to change that over the last couple of months. Perhaps he can steal this, but at a shorter price than I am willing to swallow.Race 11:Grade: C+Use: 6 King Puck; 9 Dakota Country/2 Joker On FireForecast: #9 Dakota Country was made the heavy 8-5-ML favorite by oddsmaker David Aragona in this state-bred first-level allowance over the grass. The son of Mucho Macho Man has been out west competing against open company runners over the last year. He comes into Saratoga first off the claim for Bob Hess Jr. after a pair of off-the-pace wins at Santa Anita Park. His form clearly fits, but he lacks early speed, has been running at slightly longer distances, and is expected to get bet heavily. He is hard to toss totally, but equally tough to push all-in on. #6 King Puck makes the most sense of the value options. The Three Diamonds Farm gelding makes his second start off the bench after stalking early and tiring late in a similar spot on the Fourth of July. This race shape should be more to his liking. #2 Joker On Fire also has a shot. He is just 1 for 12, but should get a nice ground saving voyage under veteran Jose Lezcano.Race 12:Grade: B-Use: 3 Amicable Farce; 6 Fancy n’ Flight; 4 Timeless MelodyForecast: I have no interest in backing either of the ML favorites in this MSW over the grass to close the card. #6 Fancy n’Flight intrigues though as the third choice. She is likely to take public support since she gets Irad in the saddle for the first time after encountering traffic issues in her lone turf start last October. I am not sure how much run she had when forced to steady, but she will not have to be much to graduate. I will use her, as well as the “other Chad Brown” #3 Amicable Farce and longshot #4 Timeless Melody for high-percentage conditioner Philip Antonacci. Any of the three with positive results in the prior few races should mean a chance for a decent horizontal payday.

The Grade 1 Clement Hirsch in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff division headlines the Saturday slate, an 11-race card that begins at 5 pm ET / 2 pm PT. But it’s a rather blue-collar undercard for a Saturday this early in the Del Mar summer stand with 2 claiming and 3 maiden claiming affairs scheduled.Be sure to play in the Bet $200, Get $20 promotion at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet on Saturday. Bet at least $100 on both the Del Mar and Saratoga cards to receive the bonus cash in your account.Del Mar: Race 1 | maiden special weightWith early speed expected from the inside pair of runners #3 Balaza could get a dynamite, pocket trip in this turf sprint under jockey Hector Berrios, who is riding lights-out on turf so far this Del Mar stand. Filly is experienced over the course and trip and adds Lasix in her first start of the year. Trainer Jeff Mullins’ turfers are firing. #2 Sacred Sound makes plenty of sense but may need to outbreak her rail rival to do her best work – can she pass anyone? #6 Maggles McGee runs fresh while cutting back in trip, a typically solid combo for turf sprints. Picks 3-6-2.Del Mar: Race 2 | claimingBottom-level claimers dash 5-1/2 furlongs and this distance has been a green light for west coast visitor #7 Pop Rox (7: 4-1-0). First local spin but note sire Munnings gets a strong 21% Dmr dirt winners in recent years coming into the meet. #5 Miz Clubcali tops the locals and was a winner here in the ’24 autumn meet, so proven over the track. Rallied to win a similar class/trip at Santa Anita this spring and needs it to cook early for her late run. Picks 7-5-3.Del Mar: Race 3 | maiden special weightIn Del Mar juvenile turf sprint maiden special weight races, experienced horses have a 17% win rate while rookies have won 9% over the last 5 summer meets. The experienced lean goes to #2 Ocean Club and #7 High Ambition. One ships from the UK, the other from Florida. Ocean Club’s fourth in Ireland in May has proven to be quite a race. The 1-3 finishers were Aidan O’Brien trainees who have come back to both place at the Group 3 level, while 1 of those has a Group 2 win to his credit since. Meanwhile, High Ambition was giving away experience last time to a wire-to-wire winner who had the benefit of a prior start; now he’s the advantaged one. Among the rookies, #6 Bliksem looks strongest for a potent jockey-trainer tandem. Despite bullet drills, didn’t like the gassed finish by #3 Brockster on video at 1st.tv. Picks 2-7-5.Del Mar: Race 4 | maiden claimingThe numbers show that outside posts have had tremendous success in these 5-furlong maiden claiming races at Del Mar over the years, so don’t mistake ground-saving as a premium. #10 Cross Fever debuts for a Vann Belvoir barn off to a sharp start at the meet, in possession of strong ROI with debut and debut maiden claiming runners and an even more-specific edge – Belvoir’s 9: 3-1-0 in this 2YO MCL 5F dash situation at Del Mar with $8, $16 and $19 winners (2-for-4 with such rookies with jockey Edgar Payeras aboard both). Wide-drawn #9 Red Raider also appeals in his debut for a plus ROI debut MCL barn in Craig Lewis, also off to a good start at the current meet. Lewis aims at these 2YO MCL 5F dashes at Del Mar, going 13: 2-2-2 ($24 and $66 winners…plus at 26-1 in the money!) and all 13 were first-time starters like this. #7 Keepsmesane is the one to beat among the experienced runners but hot-starting ’26 meet trainer Doug O’Neill’s charged failed as the even-money favorite last out. The barn is a wicked-good 9: 4-2-2 with experienced horses like this in Del Mar 2YO MCL 5F dashes. Expect #8 Romanticon to appreciate the Del Mar surface after a modest SA debut. Sire Bodexpress had 20% local winners coming into the meet. Lots to like on the stats end in a race with little to embrace on past performances. Picks 10-9-7-8.Del Mar: Race 5 | $150,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes#7 On the Whim won this same stakes 2 summers ago and could be on course for a return victory after a pair of runner-up finishes in his 2 Cal-bred stakes appearances so far this year. Mild lean in a wide-open affair where the rest of the field is 2-20 combined on the Del Mar lawn. #5 Old Pal returns from a layoff and should be moving best late, but there’s not a great deal of early pace to help his kick. #3 Prince Dolce continues to improve since moving to Steve Knapp and fits with these. Picks 7-5-3.Del Mar: Race 6 | claimingNot much to like about this non-winners of 2 lifetime claimer that sure doesn’t look like a Del Mar Saturday race. My top picks are both 1-for-19 lifetime, so consider yourself warned. #4 D Day Sky has the best win on paper, an Aqueduct maiden special weight back in 2024, and gets the nod. Eligible for the Ship & Win bonus money and seems to be well-placed by Peter Eurton. His sire Omaha Beach posted a strong 23% Dmr dirt winners coming into the meet, so he could like the track. #2 Audible Silence is by Dmr dirt super-sire Audible (31% winners, positive ROI coming into the meeting) and outran his 45-1 odds in a similar race opening weekend while turning back in distance. Could appreciate 2 turns with a great post and he has run a couple of solid efforts moving sprint-to-route in the past. #9 Noble Minded also should like the sprint-to-route maneuver, one he used in victory when breaking his maiden – but he starts from a disadvantageous post. Picks 4-2-9.Del Mar: Race 7 | maiden claimingAnother race with little trust factor to embrace on paper with elder maiden claimers going a turf mile. #10 Sensational Dream has shown some ability to sit with patience and this race looks like it could fall apart up front. Hector Berrios has been fantastic on turf at the meet and we get a 4-year-old taking on a slew of sophomores. Maybe that’s enough. #8 Icons Only is the other elder in the lineup and ran a pair of decent-enough turf miles against tougher here last summer to be in the discussion. One of those came with blinkers on, which re-emerge today for the first time since. #3 Zuraya is likely the filly to catch, while #1 Silkie Sevie gets a very positive post-position swap from her last start and drops in for a tag for the first time where she should be more effective. Get some coverage here. Picks 10-8-3-1.Del Mar: Race 8 | allowance/optional claiming#1 San Saba has been working fast for the return, but trainer Bob Baffert is 2-for-13 over the past decade-plus with Del Mar returnees who have been away more than 1 year like this. I’ll take my chances at what likely will be an underlay price and try to get him out of the ticket. #7 See Through It is a 16-time winner and old war horse entered for the $50,000 claiming tag in this optional condition. He won an even tougher condition here last summer and comes in off back-to-back wins. Trainer Genaro Vallejo, his winning trainer here last summer, dipped back in to reclaim him on July 5, a positive sign. #8 Decisive Win and #2 Duke Silver are very talented 3-year-olds whose running lines against the star Crude Velocity give them a lot of respect. Neither would be a surprise, but take on elder winners for the first time. Consider both in conjunction with the warhorse See Through It in exotics and multi-race bets. Picks 7-8-2.Del Mar: Race 9 | allowance/optional claimingLoved the work on video at 1st.tv for #1 Wiki Kane, who appears to be sitting on tilt for his first start of 2026. Proven over the course and distance and won from the rail with ease in his debut. Not messing around as they go to top pilot Juan Hernandez and Lasix added for first time. One of my keys to the card. Will feather underneath Wiki Kane with the likes of #10 Miles Finch, who may finish stronger on the cut-back in trip in a race with plenty of early speed; also-eligible consideration #12 Jetovator, who won a similar race here in the Fall for a Peter Eurton barn that excels with Del Mar turf sprint allowance spots; and #8 Grey’s Boy, who benefits if he can show some patience off the April layoff and not be too fresh. Picks 1-10-12-8.Del Mar: Race 10 | Grade 1 $400,000 Clement Hirsch StakesThe Santa Margarita Stakes was a disaster for #8 Seismic Beauty as the 3-5 favorite. She over-did it early in what looked like a match race in a miniscule field size and was left with her tongue dragging. But the works for this indicate a bounce-back result could in store for the defending champ in this race. Juan Hernandez won 30% on dirt the first 2 weeks of the meet and is on point #6 Simply Joking was the pace pest against Seismic Beauty last time and helped set the table for #3 Om N Joy. A fuller field size here should change the race dynamics to a more traditional pace and that could help both Simply Joking and Seismic Beauty run better. #1 Chasten comes west for Brad Cox and should save ground here after several outings having to overcome ground loss. Ton of respect for #5 Majestic Oops over her career, but she was terrible in the BC Distaff locally and hasn’t impressed in 2 works I watched on video at 1st.tv over the Del Mar track for this – perhaps she just doesn’t get over the ground as well? Picks 8-1-6.Del Mar: Race 11 | maiden claimingA big field of MCL turf routers wrap the action and #11 Born to Rock has to overcome a tough post from the infield chute to start but is the horse to beat. His Del Mar miles last year match up well here and the drop to the claiming ranks for the first time should be enough to get him over the top. Trainer Michael McCarthy’s runners are 7-15 in the exacta in MCL turf routes at Del Mar the last 5 summers. Umberto Rispoli is riding in his best form. I’ll key that one on top of several options, including #10 Timayyy, #2 Lorenzo Bernini, #1 Fausto, #6 Heavenly Match and also-eligible #13 Mighty Toro if he draws in. It’s a classic single-or-spread situation and I nearly always lean to the single option in that dilemma. Picks. 11-10-2-13-1-6

The biggest thoroughbred racing date of the year in Virginia comes on Saturday when it is Arlington Million (G1) Day at Colonial Downs. The featured event goes as Race 11 on a 12-race card that gets started at noon eastern. The slate is a loaded one with lots of strong wagering opportunities throughout the day, including the All-Stakes Pick 5 and Pick 4 wagers over the back part of the card. To add to the value, 1ST/BET and Xpressbet are offering up a Hit & Split opportunity in both of the All-Stakes wagers. Just head over to the promotional landing page, register, and then split your share of $2500 bonus cash if you connect on either the Pick 4 or Pick 5. Here is how I see things.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 7: Reigh CountGrade: B-Main Ticket: 10 VerifireBackups: 5 Illuminare; 4 Back Em UpForecast: The lone dirt race of the sequence is at 7-furlongs over the main track where I like #10 Verifire most. The Brad Cox trainee makes his first start off a six-week freshening over a racetrack he broke his maiden over last March. He draws favorably to the far outside. The ML favorites #7 Bracket Buster and #8 Crazy Mason are capable as well, but I prefer my top choice and the value offered by #4 Back Em Up and #5 Illuminare. Back Em Up attracts Paco Lopez in his first local start after an easy win in Florida, while Illuminare gets major class relief after chasing some of the best sprinters in the country during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.Race 8: Van CliefGrade: C+Main Ticket: 2 Alogon; 12 Governor SamBackups: 9 IsivunguvunguForecast: The top two choices on the ML both make plenty of sense in this 5.5-furlong turf dash. #12 Governor Sam is the understandable 7-2-top choice off of his win in the Get Serious in late June. The only concern is that he is likely to have to work much harder in the early stages to find a favorable forward position since he is taking on a full field with a far outside draw, instead of a group of just six. He is one of the likelier winners, as is top choice #2 Alogon. The 7YO gelding makes his second start off a ten-month break after breaking slow from the inside in the same race Governor Same exits, settling in last, and then making a wide move into the lane. With the start under his belt off the bench, he should be primed for his best. #9 Isivunguvungu is the long shot that intrigues the most. The Graham Motion trainee was sixth in this race last year after a sixth-place run at Monmouth Park to set him up. He won his allowance race at Laurel Park off the bench on June 19, so hopefully it is a good sign for his effort second off the bench.Race 9: Secretariat (G2)Grade: BMain Ticket: 3 SuperchargerBackups: 1 Turf Star; 9 AlpylandForecast: A competitive edition of this two-turn turf race for 3YOs is up next where #9 Alpyland is expected to go off as the significant favorite. The son of Vekoma ships into Virginia battle tested and in search of his third straight victory. The outside draw could present a challenge for the Mark Casse runner, but otherwise he is hard to knock. That said, I like #3 Supercharger more, especially if he is double the price or more of Alpyland. The Constitution colt has progressed nicely since trainer Cherie DeVaux added blinkers back in April. He lacks early speed, so he needs pace to run at and to work out a clean trip, but he can certainly finish. Hopefully, Manny Franco can navigate things as well as his regular rider who remains in New York.Race 10: Beverly D (G2)Grade: B-Main Ticket: 8 StellifyBackups: NoneForecast: Stellify was made the 3-1-ML favorite in this 1 3/16-miles test over the grass despite not having raced since the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf last fall. Some might opt to take a swing against her given the lack of recency, but it appears to me that all has gone according to plan. They gave the daughter of Justify time after little went right out west and since coming off the time on the farm, she has fired off 4 and 5-furlong drills regularly in Kentucky. I am confident she is fit and projects to be prominent early and potentially tough to catch late. It appears wide-open from there, so perhaps singling in horizontals in a race I assume most will spread in is worth consideration.Race 11: Arlington Million (G1)Grade: C+Main Ticket: 7 Mercante; 5 Burnham SquareBackups: NoneForecast: Both sequences conclude with the featured event, which of course is conducted at ten-furlongs over the grass. #5 Burnham Square has rattled off three consecutive turf stakes wins since stretching out in distance this spring for Ian Wilkes. Clearly, the Liam’s Map gelding has thrived over the grass. It got a bit hairy late at odds-on last out against softer, but he responded nicely when asked for his best by regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr. Burnham Square is the likeliest winner, but this is the toughest spot of his career, so 5-2 is a bit tough to swallow. The value will be far better with #7 Mercante. The Brian Knippenberg trainee fired a big shot last out in the Wise Dan (G2) and projects to have things his way on the front end if jockey Florent Geroux wants it. He is a brave horse that could be left alone on the lead. If so, he is likely to fight to the wire in search of his first Grade 1 score.

Set the alarm clock early and wake up with Delaware Park’s Pick 4 in mind this Friday, July 31. The action begins shortly after noon on the East Coast or during breakfast time elsewhere. The 2-year-olds will take center stage, with three maiden races in the sequence. It’s a difficult sequence but should be rewarding to those who solve the 50-cent wager.Delaware Park 1st Race (12:20 p.m. EST)If nothing else, BEFUDDLED could prove just that for handicappers. She is by Bolt D’Oro, the No. 11-ranked 2-year-old sire in 2026, but her dam and the dam’s siblings were winless. The swing factor is in her favor – trainer Anthony Farrior is 12-for-51 with debut MSW runners since 2024. GYPSY LULLABY rallied into photo-finish view in her 4-1/2F debut, then chased two well-meant firsters from top barns and held third at 6F last out. She gets in light-weighted and should be well-suited to 5-1/2F today.Delaware Park 2nd Race (12:52 p.m. EST)NAZEER was ‘reluctant to load’ but held his own in Maiden Special Weight company. UNIQUENESS adds blinkers after an improved second start for top trainer Jamie Ness. DIMINUTO BURRITO took money but got away slowly against Uniqueness. Several others hail from reliable first-out barns. It’s an ‘ALL’ punch in the second leg of the Pick 4.Delaware Park 3rd Race (1:24 p.m. EST)MEGAN’S HONOR is 8/2-1-2 with an average 65 Beyer in eight sprints on a fast track this year. He won easily in his only try at the $5,000 level and the 9-year-old was re-claimed by trainer Michael Simone in April. He is the top choice in here but will need a top effort in a field that is a combined 242/43-42-47 with average earnings of $207,814. FLOAT ON won from on and off the pace on muddy tracks in his last two starts at this level, earning a spot on the ticket.Delaware Park 4th Race (1:54 p.m. EST)The three entrants with bullet gate works this month land a spot on the Pick 4 ticket in what appears a wide-open Maiden Special Weight sprint. BEST DEAL, away last and unhurried to the turn, gathered momentum and finished determinedly while no threat to a pair of 2-to-1 first-time starters. He broke better from the gate in two workouts leading to his debut. He should retain good betting value and the extra half-furlong should help. I GOT STREET SENSE also worked a bullet from the Delaware gate in his final debut prep. His dam, Graceful Ginger (24/6-6-6, $344k), was a multiple stakes-placed sprinter with three wire-to-wire allowance victories. COACH CRISTOBAL’S :48-2/5 work was fastest-of-42 on the July 21 tab. Trainer Michael Catalano Jr. won with three of his last seven first-time starters at 47-1, 5-1 and 5-1 odds.Suggested 50-Cent Pick 4DEL 1st Race: 2, 7DEL 2nd Race: ALLDEL 3rd Race: 2, 5DEL 4th Race: 2, 3, 4Cost for a 50-Cent ticket: $54

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Charles Town | today’s racesSCHEDULE NOTESSaratoga | off turf today, Race 8 has been rescheduled for Sunday--no pick 6, late pick 5, late pick 4, late pick 3 today at SaratogaTOURNAMENT TIME$100 Saratoga Feeder | details$80 Del Mar Feeder | details$40 Canterbury Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | Thistledown | $97,921 | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | Woodbine | $78,501 (CAN) | Race 8 | 6:55 pm ETKEY RACESColonial Downs | Race 3 | 11:55 am ET | Life’s Illusion Stakes (steeplechase)LONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXDelaware Park | Race 6 | 3:00 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 7 | 5:16 pm ETDel Mar | Race 8 | 8:30 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJose Silva | Canterbury Park | 4 of 5 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Delaware Park | jockey Paco Lopez | 4 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third from 7 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Spot Plays for ThursdayJeremy Plonk: Del Mar Spot Plays for ThursdayJeremy Plonk: Charles Town Bet $100, Get $10 Promo Picks for ThursdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

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 Charles Town, our final offering for the month-long promotion. Here’s how I’ll approach the card in West Virginia with an assist from the Betmix Angler database.Charles Town Race 1 | 7:00 pm ET#5 Zio Lorenzo (12-1 morning line odds) has a longshot look. Trainer Vanessa Pletroche’s barn has gone 9: 3-3-0 since July 11 at Charles Town, including 14-1 and 26-1 runners in the exacta. Big prices no stranger to this gelding as he popped a 55-1 upset in late June from a tough post in a time fast enough to play with most of these. Win-place bet #5. Exacta key-box 5 with 4,7. Picks: 5-4-7Charles Town Race 9 | 10:45 pm ET#6 Palm Island (5-2 morning line odds) makes a rider change from a 7-pound apprentice to ace 4-1/2 furlong dash pilot Jeiron Barbosa (colony-best 30% on the year from 70 mounts). The jockey is 6-for-12 this year teamed with trainer Anthony Farrior at the dash distance. Veteran gelding should benefit from a race over the track and at the unique distance. Win bet #6. Picks: 6-5-3

It didn’t take last year’s Fun in the Sun Final Table winner Andy Muhlada long to get back to this year’s big Labor Day destination. Muhlada finished fifth in Week 2 of the annual handicapping contest last Saturday and became the tenth player already qualified to the 40-seat finale. Week 3 returns this Saturday and features the Jim Dandy card at Saratoga alongside Del Mar racing action.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 $11,680 after the first 2 qualifying rounds with $10,000-added from Xpressbet.Last week’s top entry was Thomas Carroll, whose $297.80 mutuel total was a whopping $60.50 better than runner-up Barry Hill. Carroll earned $1,176 for his work, while Carroll was awarded $490. They will advance to the Final Table along with third-place Wardell Dodds ($236.90, earned $294 in additional prize money), fourth-place David Essig ($216.90 mutuel total) and the aforementioned Andy Muhlada ($176.90 mutuel total).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.

A 4-day racing week awaits as Del Mar hits Week 3 of the summer stand. A strong Saturday built on an already positive ROI, and after the first 2 weeks of Del Mar racing, our 39 top choices have returned $3.14 for every $2 bet – at an average win price of $13.60. First post for Thursday’s 8-race card 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 2| 5:30 pm ET#4 Baytown Butterfly (8-1 morning line odds) imploded last time when stretched to a mile with blinkers on. She’s back to a preferred distance and the hood is removed by trainer Peter Miller (31% going blinkers off). Eligible for the ship-and-win bonus money via Kentucky, well-placed and the Omaha Beach offspring have won a sharp 23% here in recent years coming into the summer. Win-place bet #4. Picks 4-1-3Del Mar: Race 7 | 8:00 pm ET#10 Syntax (7-2 morning line odds) outran her longshot odds in the Desert Stormer last out and comes back to a very competitive level for a jockey-trainer combo having success at the meeting. But it’s sire Pavel who has stolen the show – his offspring are an incredible 7: 5-1-0 at the current meet (including wins at $32, $82 and a second at 10-1). Win bet #10. Daily Double 10-1. Picks 10-4-3Del Mar: Race 8 | 8:30 pm ET#1 Sunny Creed (12-1 morning line odds) hits the 2-sprints-to-a-route form cycle and trainer Jeff Mullins has been pulling the right strings on turf early in the Del Mar stand. He’s 10-2-2-3 on grass with $14 and $16 winners plus another 13-1 shot on the board. Flips from tough post last out to a great rail trip here for a 34%, highly profitable jockey-trainer combo. Use with stablemate #4 Winika. Win-place bet #1. Exacta 1,4 with 1,4,9. Picks 1-4-9.