Breeders’ Cup prep season is in full effect, with many horses either having made or about to make their final starts before the World Championships are held at Keeneland in October. Each week, I’ll adjust my personal rankings accordingly based on races and news from the weekend prior. The juvenile divisions will enter the equation once the marquee summer meetings have concluded.Below you’ll find my rankings for nine of the Breeders' Cup divisions, with the top four contenders listed in chronological order. Any changes made, whether they be additions / subtractions or new comments, are italicized.(NOTE: The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint will be omitted from the rankings. The division is constantly in flux and there are too many who will be cross-entered to make that list worthwhile.)CLASSIC1 - Forever Young (last week: 1)• Some may have been underwhelmed by his victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup…but what else did you want from him? A 105 Beyer going 10F off a six-month layoff would seem to be a great jumping off point for a Classic defense.2 - Magnitude (last week: 2)• If you forgive his Saratoga form he’s done nothing wrong; ticks all the boxes at what’s likely a reasonable price assuming you can get past the dud in the Whitney3 - Sovereignty (last week: 3)• Maybe foolish to move him down a peg, but his unknown status due to the foot abscess has to be a concern; not sure he can afford any sort of hiccups if he’s to make the Breeders’ Cup4 - Knightsbridge (last week: 4)• Devastated the G1 Pacific Classic, a field that was a G1 in name only; hard to find anyone to dispute his brilliance, but the question remains - can he reproduce that brilliance against the cream of the crop?DISTAFF1 - Nitrogen (last week: 1)• Ran arguably the best race of her career in defeat in the Whitney; outside chance she takes on boys again but strictly the horse to beat if she tackles the females in the Distaff2 - Counting Stars (last week: 2)• Defeated as the heavy chalk in the G1 Alabama; clearly not her best but not going to be overly reactionary…she’s still one of the favorites in this division when firing on all cylinders3 - Fully Subscribed (last week: 4)• Secured her first career G1 in the Personal Ensign, earning a 106 Beyer in the process; she’s failed before when tested against the best but has never regressed at any point in her career on the Beyer scale…may be peaking at the right time4 - Splendora (last week: unranked)• The wide margins of victory around two turns would lead you to believe she may well fit the Distaff configuration; have always wondered if she’s better around one turn, though, so maybe a defense of the FM Sprint is the better path? To be determined…SPRINT | BERNIER'S BEST VIDEO PREVIEW1 - Englishman (last week: 1)• The clear leader of the division after another devastating performance at Saratoga in the Allen Jerkens on Travers Day; Beyers of 115 and 117 as a 3YO entering the BC put him in rarified air for Cherie DeVaux2 - T O Elvis (last week: 2)• Lost in the late odds hoopla on Derby Day was just how emphatic his win in the Churchill Downs was; may need to find a bit if Englishman holds his form - but may not need to find much3 - Built (last week: unranked)• Always seemed like a one turn horse and has shown that to be the case in 2026; not much to knock about him given his recent form other than the obvious - his figs are miles behind those of Englishman4 - Listenupshance (last week: unranked)• Similar story as that of Built: form is strong, figs would normally be competitive…just happens to run into what could be one of the better sprinters we’ve seen in the last ten-plus yearsFM SPRINT1 - Kilwin (last week: 1)• Perhaps being a bit stubborn keeping her #1…didn’t think her second in the Ballerina was a bad effort, just ran into a horse for course and found herself way too far back early despite the hot pace; absolutely needs a step forward but hopefully that is still to come at Keeneland2 - Ways and Means (last week: 3)• Disrespectful to have her this far down after a blowout win in a G1 at Saratoga? Maybe…still think she’s a different animal at the Spa v. Other venues; likely goes as the favorite for the FM Sprint in October off the 104 Beyer in the Ballerina3 - Mashallah (last week: 4)• Another blowout victory, this time in the G3 Prioress; figs aren’t exactly improving but hard to argue with what she’s done when you watch her races…may end up being the “now” horse4 - Explora (last week: 2)• Came up just short as part of a three-horse photo in the Dogwood at CD; the figs aren’t quite there for her to be considered a top contender - but that can be said for most in this division aside from Ways and MeansTURF1 - Tiffany (last week: 1)• Devastating victory in the KYD Turf Cup in her U.S. debut; 107 Beyer earned in that race has been the benchmark for BC Turf success over the past decade - a likely win candidate at Keeneland2 - Ombudsman (last week: unranked)• Serious horse and a real possibility to run here if the weather goes sideways for Champions Day at Ascot according to John Gosden via Nick Luck Daily…Gosden has kept him at 10F for majority of career in Europe but the 12F in the United States should be well within his scope; the likely favorite for the Turf assuming he comes for the party3 - Ethical Diamond (last week: 2)• Credible second behind the filly on top in the KYD Turf Cup; connections seem very pleased with the run as a means to an end heading to Keeneland - a legit threat to repeat in the BC Turf4 - Burnham Square (last week: 4)• Can’t rate him any higher after the disaster at KYD, but the intense heat that day may have been the excuse; if you still believe in him, you’ll wind up with a better price come BC SaturdayMILE1 - Blue Bolt (last week: 1)• Never a loser while taking another G1 in the Matron at Leopardstown, which was a WAYI for the BC FM Turf; not sure why you’d consider stretching her with as good as she’s been at the mile distance…would be a handful if Andrew Balding decided to ship her here2 - Erdenali (last week: 2)• Set a Longchamp course record winning the G1 Prix du Moulin, humbling previous #1 rated Gstaad in the process; connections have stated the G1 Coolmore Mile at KEE would be next en route to the BC Mile3 - Notable Speech (last week: 3)• Another G1 victory to his resume in the Woodbine Mile, running down Deterministic - who had everything his way; a major threat to repeat in the BC Mile, even if his WO Mile “only” earned a 101 Beyer4 - Deterministic (last week: 4)• Although no excuse when finishing second behind Notable Speech, don’t really feel as though he loses anything in defeat; still an underneath candidate for BC Mile…although do wonder if the connections explore the idea of trying to stretch and wire a field in the BC Turf?FM TURF1 - Thundering On (last week: 1)• Back to her best winning the G3 Blandford at The Curragh; claim to fame prior was monster win in The Oaks, although form of that race has been spotty…Joseph O’Brien mentioned The Arc as a target, although this filly at 9.5F at Keeneland would be a monster2 - Kentucky Belle (last week: 2)• The immediate target for the connections is the QEII at Keeneland; if she runs as well there as she did at Kentucky Downs on closing day it would be very difficult not to consider the BC FM Turf, even on a relatively quick turnaround3 - Diamond Necklace (last week: 3)• Defeated for the first time in her career, finishing behind Aventure in a G1 at Deauville; soft ground may not have been to her liking - willing to give a mulligan4 - Stellify (last week: 4)• An all or nothing type at this point in her career…when she’s part of the early running, she’s very good; decimated a field in the Ladies Marathon at KYD, a course which she’s 3-for-3 overTURF SPRINT1 - Cy Fair (last week: 1)• Nothing to be gleaned from her off the board effort at KYD; buried on the rail for duration of the run…draw a line through the race - her best is still elite2 - Bacio (last week: 2)• Devastating winning the G1 Nunthorpe at York for Wesley Ward over a highly-accomplished group; no fault with anyone saying he’s clearly tops, just still believe in the filly at #1’s ability3 - Shisospicy (last week: 3)• Difficult to say what to expect from her with the nonexistent campaign but know her best is as good as anyone’s4 - Possiblemente (last week: 4)• Put himself squarely in the mix with a strong victory in KYD Turf Sprint; versatile type in raging form for Joe SharpDIRT MILE1 - Knightsbridge (last week: 1)• Hard to imagine the connections not heading to the Classic despite having both he and Sovereignty but will remain a part of this group for the time being2 - Napoleon Solo (last week: 2)• Loses nothing in defeat finishing a gallant second in the Travers; coming up short in each of the past two would lead me to point to the Dirt Mile, but Classic remains an option for the connections3 - The Puma (last week: unranked)• Connections probably wanting to give the Classic a go but not sure his best is good enough to run with the big boys just yet; blinkers certainly did the trick and the middle move he unleashed would play wonderfully in a truly run mile at Keeneland4 - Further Ado (last week: unranked)• Kicked on well at the end of the PA Derby but couldn’t run down The Puma; the record at Keeneland sticks out like a sore thumb - in a good way; can’t imagine the connections are in a rush to try the Classic with him but another who would fit wonderfully in the Dirt MileJUVENILE1 - Coach Pope (last week: 1)• One of three to exit the “key” 2YO race of the summer at Saratoga on August 8; never out of first gear when breaking maiden at CD by more than 12L for McPeek…always take note of horses who do things their connections don’t necessarily prioritize - in this case, McPeek runners usually improve with experience2 - U.S.S Valor (last week: 2)• Could copy / paste the notes for Pope here for Valor being trained by Shug McGaughey; 105 Beyer earned in maiden win at Saratoga towers over the competition…horse should improve with added ground, too3 - Gaudreau (last week: 3)• The winner of the key race from Saratoga on August 8 defeating the top two; big acts to follow given what the other two have done recently but the Louisiana-bred deserves to be part of this triumvirate4 - Salahudin (last week: 4)• Could have been any one of four or five to fill this fourth slot; almost the antithesis of a typical Baffert 2YO - sluggish out of the gate, settles before finding stride and finishing while still showing greenness; may be more of a 3YO prospect but continues to improve…as good a 2YO male crop as we’ve seen in a whileJUVENILE FILLIES1 - Miss Monica (last week: 1)• Paired up 87 Beyers winning G1 DMR Debutante for Baffert; geared down for final 100 yards and still galloped out with interest…think she’ll improve around two-turns, too2 - Summer Starlet (last week: 2)• Done nothing wrong in two starts, including an open-length score in the G1 Spinaway that earned a 97 Beyer; wasn’t crazy about the gallop out and there’s a fair bit of speed / sprint on the bottom of her pedigree, but in the right hands with Asmussen and figures to continue to improve with age3 - Libby Lloyd (last week: 3)• Only a maiden victory on debut to her name so far but Chad Brown has spoken very highly of her; crushed a modest field by 10 at Saratoga in mid-August…will get a better sense of where she stacks up in next start4 - Manuka Honey (last week: 4)• Unbeaten in three starts including the Pocahontas at CD; far from the most visually appealing finish, getting final 1/4 in :26…but this is a very thin group of filliesJUVENILE TURF1 - How’s Al Today (last week: 1)• Ran twice at the Kentucky Downs meeting, including a stakes score which resulted in a 94 Beyer Speed Figure; division historically dominated by Euros but this one looks like he may be the goods2 - Folsom Blues (last week: 2)• Wicked kick over the final furlong winning the G1 Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at The Curragh; Joseph O’Brien indicated the Dewhurst may be next but didn’t rule out the possibility of sending the colt to the United States3 - Darkness Falls (last week: 3)• No surprise to see him shorten in the market to one of the favorites for next year’s Derby after authoritative victory in the Golden Fleece; Aidan O’Brien suggested a run in America wouldn’t be out of the question4 - Al Hudaiba (last week: 4)• Better than the final margin in the G1 Summer would suggest given he took a right-hand turn down the stretch; Charlie Appleby / Godolphin have played this tune successfully in the past, would be no surprise to see them do it againJUVENILE FILLIES TURF1 - Sun Goddess (last week: 1)• Must be special if Aidan O’Brien is referring to her as a “freak”; smashed in the Moyglare, and post race comments would suggest a run in the Cheveley Park followed by a try in the Breeders’ Cup could be on offer…also worth noting she thumped Folsom Blues at The Curragh in August2 - Senorita Bonita (last week: 2)• Crushed G1 company in the Prix Morny in August; pedigree on top suggests sprint but damsire is a real stamina influence…would think a mile should be within her scope3 - Vanta (last week: 3)• Plenty to like on tape watching her two wins to date, but stating the obvious - she’s jumping into the deep end of the pool going from the Del Mar 2YO turf fillies to international stars4 - Quibbler (last week: 4)• Only a maiden victory to her name so far, but visually ticked many boxes winning on debut at Kentucky Down for Riley Mott; blew doors off a field despite looking as though she had plenty of fitness still to gain, which will come with additional experience

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Thistledown | today’s racesNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $440,976 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETPick 5 | $6,969 | Louisiana Downs | begins Race 3 | 6:01 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXFort Erie | Race 6 | 2:35 pm ETHorseshoe Indy | Race 8 | 5:47 pm ETMountaineer | Race 1 | 7:00 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHAnthony Ferrearo | Finger Lakes | all 5 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Fort Erie, Presque Isle | favorites won 5 of 8 races at both tracksPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Thistledown Bet $100, Get $10 Promo PicksFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

With the month coming to an end, it means just three more chances at Xpressbet and 1/ST BET’s “Fall Into Fortune” promotion. Remember, this promo is easy. Just bet $100+ on the select track each Tuesday and Thursday in September and earn a $10 bonus. Today’s track is Thistledown where they have an eight-race card that kicks off at 12:50 PM eastern. Here are a few horses I like most on the day in Ohio.Race 4:This state-bred conditional claimer at 5.5-furlongs offers horseplayers a seven-horse field where I will take a swing with #1 Mutiny. The 7YO gelding makes his first start since late August where he did not have the most comfortable trip at the same level and finished fourth beaten over four lengths. On the surface, it is difficult to see him making up the 3+ lengths on #2 Gonnamakeithappen, especially with the lack of speed signed on, but that one really should have found his way to the wire last first when totally loose on the lead. On the other hand, Mutiny was returning off just eight days rest in that August 26 race and making his third start in 23 days for trainer Ricardo Bailey. Now, the ten-time winner checks in off nearly a month’s rest and moves from an outside post to the rail. Hopefully, the rider change back to T.D. Houghton pays dividends.Play: #1 Mutiny (8-1 ML)Picks: 1-7-2Race 5:The late Pick 4 is up next where #3 Spirit of Akron looks like a potential single to kick things off. The son of Mor Spirit makes his second start off a three-month respite after breaking a bit slow and finishing a well-beaten fourth in a race against significantly better. Trainer Shane Meyers claimed this 5YO gelding for $10k in early spring at Mahoning Valley and while he has not won in five starts, he did hit the board in two races versus stronger competition. Meyers appears ready to cut ties, if need be, in order to get Spirit of Akron back to the winner’s circle for the first time in 2026. He appears to have found a spot where he should be prominent early and tough to catch late under regular rider Jose Bracho.Play: #3 Spirit of Akron (8-5 ML)Picks: 3-5-2Race 7:My final play of the day comes in this state-bred $12,500 claimer for non-winners of two lifetime at one-mile where I will hope for an honest pace early. 8-5-ML favorite #6 Dream Police makes his first start against winners close to two months after breaking his maiden at odds-on in a race washed off the grass at Belterra Park. The son of Always Dreaming earned a figure that day that would make him tough in this spot, but I am not sure he has things quite as easy on the front end with his outside draw and a pair of sprinters stretching out in distance that have shown tactical speed in one-turn races.I will hope to run down the chalk with #4 Sgt York. The Keys to Riches Stable runner tries two turns for the first time since last August, but could be set for a big one second off the six-month freshening. The fifth-place finish against allowance foes over a year ago is probably not too much of a barometer for how Sgt York will perform later today, but he should find himself in a favorable spot when they turn for home if the stamina is there to handle the route of ground. Erik Barbarian was onboard last out and will stay aboard in the first half of the late Double.Play: #4 Sgt York (2-1 ML)Picks: 4-3-6

NOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $422,719 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETKEY RACESFinger Lakes | Race 2 | 1:24 pm ET | Lady Finger StakesFinger Lakes | Race 3 | 1:53 pm ET | Aspirant StakesFinger Lakes | Race 6 | 3:20 pm ET | Niagara StakesFinger Lakes | Race 7 | 3:49 pm ET | Ontario County StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXThistledown | Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETHorseshoe Indy | Race 8 | 5:47 pm ETMountaineer | Race 2 | 7:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJoseph Humber | Fort Erie | 3 of 4 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Belmont Park | jockey Manny Franco | 4 wins, 2 seconds from 8 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

EXTRA INCENTIVES$5,000 Trifecta-Thon | Los Alamitos (TB) | Friday-Saturday-SundaySCHEDULE NOTESLos Alamitos | closing day of meetSPECIAL WAGERSSummer Sweep Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 7-8-9, Woodbine Races 7-8--$1 minimum, 15% takeout, no CAWTOURNAMENT TIME$500 Los Alamitos Closing Day Challenge | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $18,001 | Gulfstream | begins Race 4 | 2:00 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $62,024 | Churchill Downs | begins Race 5 | 2:45 pm ETPick 6 | $71,365 | Belmont | begins Race 4 | 2:57 pm ETPick 6 | $9,997 | Los Alamitos (QJH) | begins Race 3 | 10:15 pm ETKEY RACESBelmont | Race 8 | 5:17 pm ET | Forever Together StakesAlbuquerque | Race 8 | 6:25 pm ET | Albuquerque Distaff StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXChurchill Downs | Race 3 | 1:43 pm ETLaurel Park | Race 6 | 2:41 pm ETBelmont Park | Race 6 | 4:07 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHBrittany Russell | Laurel Park | 6 of 7 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Remington Park | Steve & Erik Asmussen teamed for 4 winsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Belmont Park Spot PlaysRon Nicoletti: Gulfstream Park Full-Card PicksJeremy Plonk: Los Alamitos Trifecta-Thon PlaysBrian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Mandatory Pick 6 Payout Sunday is here and Gulfstream Park handicapper Ron Nicoletti provides his full-card analysis. The carryover seeds the pool with $18,001 and track officials project $500,000 up for grabs by post time.RACE 1:5 ZAZA J drops and cuts back to a sprint on Tapeta after breaking awkwardly and dueling for the lead before weakening to finish fourth vs $16,000 maidens going a mile on the turf. Saffie Joseph Jr has Micha Husbands named to ride. 1 ELUSIVE CHALICE makes the usually fruitful third start of the form cycle after knocking on the door in consecutive sprints on the all-weather surface. Joe Orseno has apprentice Pedro Pena in the saddle. 6 THAT POLICE freefalls to the $12,500 level in the first start since tussling with stake’s competition before going to the sidelines 11 months ago. The daughter of Tiz the Law makes her three-year-old debut with Lasix. SELECTIONS: 5-1-6RACE 2:4 SOMERSET MIA moves to the Bernardo Lopez barn and returns to the main track after stalking the pace and finishing second going a mile and a sixteenth on Tapeta. The barn, 3 for 4 (75%) with new additions to the shedrow, has Leonel Reyes overseeing the surface switch. 8 CALLING THE SHOTS returns to her best surface thus far (6-1-1-1) after rallying to finish third behind the top choice on the all-weather track last out. Heather Smullen has Diego Herrera named to ride. 2 GHOSTLIGHT drops and stretches out to a mile after returning from the layoff to show speed before fading vs $17,500 two lifetime claimers going 5-1/2 furlongs on Tapeta. Saffie is 18% with the stretchout move. SELECTIONS: 4-8-2RACE 3:4 ZIRZOP is cutting back to a mile after getting sandwiched between horses at the start prior to finishing a rallying a third going a mile and a sixteenth on turf. Owner Maria Sol Aller and trainer Murat Sancal are 25% with their turf runners. 5 VOL DU CONDOR is making the second start back from the six-month layoff after rallying four wide to finish fourth behind the top choice in their recent clash on the grass. Victor Barboza Jr is 25% with the second start after the 45-180 days layoff. 1 STAR OF THE GUN will give it one more chance at trying to break maiden when cutting back to a mile after setting the pace and finishing second in front of the top two selections last out. The probable off-time favorite has apprentice Pedro Pena doling out his speed. SELECTIONS: 4-5-1RACE 4: MANDATORY PAYOUT PICK 6 BEGINS HERE2 FORGOTTEN ABOUT drops to the $50,000 maiden optional claiming level after the eventful special weight debut in which she broke slowly from the rail, rushed up along the inside and was shuffled back at the half-mile pole before calling it a day. Trainer Dave Fawkes, 24% with maidens making their second start, has Diego Herrera named on the Arkansas-bred daughter of The Big Beast. 3 LADY ROCKULA is stretching out to 6 � furlongs again after finishing second again vs this level of competition going six furlongs. The 13th time can be the charm for the Carlos David/Miguel Vazquez collaboration. 6 PAN PAN is going back to the main track for Saffie after hitting the board going long on both turf and Tapeta. Micha Husbands rides. SELECTIONS: 2-3-6RACE 5:2 HANDS OF TIME, one of two in the field for Sea Warrior Stables and Heather Smullen, finds a good spot to step up the competition after returning from the freshening to notch his second consecutive victory when defeating $17,500 conditioned claimers going a mile on the turf. 1 MALCOLM X (PER), beaten only three quarters of a length at this level two starts back, hopes to get away from the gate in a timely fashion after stumbling and breaking last, then never getting involved at this level and distance last out. Dante Zanelli has Edwin Gonzalez in the saddle. 9 MASAYOSHI, a wide but a good third in front of Malcolm X two starts back, returns to the turf after finishing a closing second vs this familiar competition going a mile and seventy yards on Tapeta. Jonathan Ocasio rides for trainer Bruno Tessore. SELECTIONS: 2-1-9RACE 6:2 TOMMY’S MIRACLE is trying open special weight competition in the first race since getting mugged between horses at the start and finishing third behind undefeated rising superstar Sum of Success in a five-furlong state-bred sprint during July. Carlos David has Samy Camacho named to ride. 6 ARTICULATED is a $110,000 son of Speaker’s Corner debuting for Saffie Joseph Jr with some solid workouts showing at Palm Meadows. Micha Husbands rides. 4 ROSE OF RIYADH is a $225,000 daughter of Yaupon who faces the boys with a consistent work tab showing over the GP main track. The tote action will tell us more. SELECTIONS: 2-6-4RACE 7:2 ROGER THAT DANA, who finished second behind classy Commandment in the Mucho Macho Man stakes, at the distance, in January, can now be haltered for $10,000 after failing to fire in a pair of sprints vs better. Trainer Luis Ramirez has Edgar Perez overseeing the shaky class drop. 7 TEOFIMO drops to the $10,000 level again after following a second-place finish at this level and distance with a slow starting fifth behind repeat winner Jalapeno in a state-bred allowance contested at seven furlongs. Jonathan Ocasio rides for Javier Negrete. 3 TAPARINO wheels back after using his speed to finish a game second at this level and distance. Trainer Jena Antonucci has Jose Morelos trying to steal this wide-open affair. SELECTIONS: 2-7-3RACE 8:8 FOURTH AND CENTRAL will try to make it three victories in a row after highlighting his versatility when he followed the $75,000 optional claiming victory on turf with five-furlong score vs $75,000 optional claimers going five panels on Tapeta. Trainer Mike Yates has Miguel Vazquez returning on the consistent son of Cajun Breeze. 1 XY SPEED, a 15-time turf winner, who can be claimed for $25,000, drops after facing stakes quality competition throughout his storied 56-race career. The hard-knocking 10-year-old must be respected, even though he’s lost some speed of his fast ball. 2 CRUZIN MAN will be running and gunning as soon as they pop the gate latch. He goes back to the turf with the moniker of the one to catch. SELECTIONS: 8-1-2RACE 9:7 RUDI is stretching out to a mile an a sixteenth after finishing second going a mile and seventy yards last out. Trainer Antonio Sano has Rasheed Hughes named to ride this tepid choice. 2 AMBERSSOHN drops and tries the Tapeta after facing better going long on the turf with mixed results. Heather Smullen is 14% with the surface switch. 5 FIFTEEN HUNDRED R is eligible to show more at the distance after splitting horses and finishing third behind the top choice at a mile and seventy yards. Pedro Garcia Jr has Leonel Reyes in the saddle. SELECTIONS: 7-2-5BEST BET -- RACE 6: 2 TOMMY’S MIRACLELONGSHOT -- RACE 8: 8 FOURTH AND CENTRAL

Opening week at newly renovated Belmont Park concludes later this afternoon with a nine-race card that kicks off at 1:10 PM eastern. The slate is headlined by the $175k Forever Together over the grass and features the first Pick 6 carryover of the meet after Beau Cheval scored a 10-1-upset victory in the finale. $71,365 is up for grabs in the traditional $1 Pick 6 that gets rolling at 2:57 PM with Race 4. Here are a few horses I like on the day, including a pair of must uses in the Pick 6.Race 1:The opener is a MSW for 3YOs and upward at 1 1/16-miles over the main track where trainer Chad Brown holds a strong 1-2-punch with the favorite #6 Hadrian’s Wall and second choice #8 Collado Hueco. Hadrian’s Wall has run the fastest races, but has had little desire winning in his two starts of 2026 despite finishing second in both tries. He lacks a desire to win that I am not sure will be there anymore on the cutback to one-turn. Collado Huaco has a bit more upside at this point, but has struggled to get out of the gate. This could once again leave the well-bred Peter Brant colt with too much to do late.I will try to beat them both with #5 Noble Edition. The Wathnan Racing runner debuted during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival where he finished an off-the-pace fourth to stablemate and next out winner Tab at Zanzibar. He followed that up in July with a non-effort over the slop to the good looking Stimulate. He has to show more life early in races to be a factor late, but I expect a career best effort off the freshening as Brad Cox aims to earn his second victory at the newly renovated venue.Play: #5 Noble Edition (10-1 ML)Picks: 5-6-8Race 8: Forever TogetherThere is a noticeable lack of early speed signed on in this 1 1/16-mile event for fillies and mares over the grass, so being prominent early is likely to be a significant advantage. Last year’s winner #1 Oversubscribed draws the rail and has as much speed as anyone, so perhaps Flavien Prat will use the inside to gain a tactical edge, but it is a tall task to win a stakes race in back-to-back years off a significant layoff. She won last year off more than twelve months on the sidelines and comes into this year’s event not having raced since a runner-up effort at Aqueduct in mid-April. She can win, but I will search for more value with #3 Ashikdah. Jockey Ricardo Santana, Jr. has been on fire of late and seems to have a great feel thus far for the differences between Belmont and Saratoga. He rides this 4YO filly that makes her third start since arriving in the States and enters off a win against second-level allowance foes at the Spa in early August. She appears as live as anyone as the second biggest price on the board.Play: #3 Ashikdah (8-1 ML)Picks: 3-7-1Race 9:I like the chances of 7-2-second choice #1 Ganderella quite a bit in the finale. The daughter of Hard Spun ran a strong third in her turf debut at Saratoga in July running third at odds of 46-1 and followed it up with a runner-up effort as the chalk last time out. She disappointed the public that day, but one has to wonder why Edgard Zayas opted to leave the rail and instead make an early three-wide move on the far turn. Now, trainer John Terranova turns to Flavien Prat. Prat is almost certain to not make the same mistake with a filly that appears to be sitting on her best and draws favorably along the rail. A single for yours truly to close things out.Play: #1 Ganderella (7-2 ML)Picks: 1-4-3

Northfield Park has a 15-race card. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 has a $10,000 guaranteed pool with a 14% takeout and starts in Race 11. The Spot Plays are in Race 2, Race 7, and Race 8. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 2 (6:22 PM EDT)3-Alittlepixiedust (5-1)-Won 2 back and then stepped up to take on Open Handicap Trotters. Got the pocket off the gate and finished 2nd to an odds-on winner who is the 2nd program chalk in this field #7. Won't be 36-1 here but should be a solid price and could get the same type of trip. Braiden Rhoades could get an up-close seat and can be used on top and underneath in gimmicks.3-5-7Race 7 (8:12 PM EDT)3-Thornbush Hanover (7/2)-Hit the board in 4 of the last 5 races at Nfld and 3 of the starts were versus this kind. Finished a close 2nd and came 3rd in the other race against this company. What is most important, needs an inside post do its best work and every horse who finished ahead isn't in this field. Showed early speed in last, and was used hard in the opening 1/4 leaving from post 7. Justine Irvine should get a more efficient trip tonight, and the post relief could be the winning difference.3-2-4Race 8 (8:34 PM EDT)6-Tellitlikesonny (9/2)-Was claimed 4 back and has been in water that was too deep. Now drops to a level where a win can happen. Aaron Merriman sticks and tossed a hint in last versus better. Rolled the 2nd half in .56 and closed in 28.1 but finished a beaten 3rd. There isn't a lot of gate speed to the inside and Merriman will likely have the pedal down. Should be on the lead or close to it at the top of the lane and could post an overdue win at a square price.6-4-9Check me out on X!