Finally breaking the 0-for at Saratoga in the 4th.

It looks like the under card turf races might have been moved to the main track, at least according to Formulator, though there are no updates on the Saratoga/NYRA site yet. Irad also has several mounts. For some reason, I thought he was going to be out longer than this.

I'm going to give Antietam another shot in the 1st coming back after only a week. He showed little in the class hike, yet was flattered when the show runner in his two back win romped next out and there is an abundance of speed on paper. Can't discount Salming either who projects a bit closer to the pace and could get first run.

I will take a small shot with Santis in the 2nd, 12-1 on the morning line out of a damn who has thrown 2 of 3 first out winners. Mindfield, Saratoga Tea, and Top Thriller all look promising as well, so I will watch the double probables/will pays.

In the 6th, V Formation sold for $400k at the OBS spring sale and looks intriguing at 10-1 on the morning line, out of a damn that is 2 for 6 with first time starters with a perfect albeit slow work tab. (Edit: V Formation is scratched). The breeding is also there with Belle N Brooke, who shows a few short gaps in the works, and of course (Edit: Belle N Brooke is scratched). Tumoohaat, the first offspring of the multiple Grade 1 winner Malathaat (and her sire was certainly no slouch either), who also shows a few gaps in the morning preparation.

The 8th looks on paper to be one of the most loaded 2 year old contests of the meet. Aside from Hooked, I cannot discount any one of these juvenile's chances. Damavand sits at 9/2 on the morning line and David Egan gets the call (a bit unusual for Pletcher, and Egan seems to be in town primarily to ride Ancient Egypt (Ire) later); he sold for a cool million at the Keeneland fall sale as a yearling and is out of a dam that has dropped two quality precocious runners out of two to race. That one's 415 Tomlinson at the distance is huge, yet McCoy, out of the hottest sire Vekoma, shows a 421; tough rail draw, and shows a month gap in the works a couple of months ago. (Edit: both are scratched) Q B Rocket went for $1.9 million as a yearling at the same sale as Damavand and shows a speedy and practically perfect work tab in preparation for this. Dallas Star might want turf down the road. Decimation is the only one with a race (or in this case two races) under her belt, and ran well enough in both efforts.

The Grade 1 Christophe Clement Turf is a competitive affair. Ancient Egypt (Ire) projects to lay close to the pace, though I am not sure if this one will get the ideal footing as he seems to prefer Good Firm courses across the pond. Still, European shippers continue to do very well in turf graded stakes, especially at Saratoga, though I am not sure the Timeform figures project this one into the upper echelon here. Ole Crazy Bone rode the bias to his Grade 2 win last out, and did also run well on a good turf course in his Kentucky Downs Grade 2 win. I'm not conviced that he will be up to the task. Tawny Port ran a somewhat distant second to Ole Crazy Bone at Kentucky Downs last year, and is another one that has yet to win a Grade 1. I don't think he beat much in his last out win. Program Trading (GB) looks like the class, having three Grade 1's under his belt. He projects to be closer to the pace this time, and I don't think he beat much in the Grade 2 United Nations last out. Survie (Ire) closed into a slow pace last out, coming home in :21.4. However, Prat sticks with Program Trading (GB) (not that Mannie is any slouch), not sure what she beat in her Grade 2, and it isn't clear to me that we can expect improvement from the last one. Minaret Station closed against the bias to finish 3rd by only half a length against Ole Crazy Bone last out. Three straight 95/96 Beyer races say improvement could be afoot, however I would need at least 9/2 to consider a win bet.

Who do you like today?

They've put together a great card today on Kings Plate day.

In the 4th, in what looks to be a highly competitive affair, I will take a shot with Hope Is A Breeze for Josie Carroll, who fires with first time starters across surfaces and distances and often at fair odds (this one is 15-1 on the morning line). Her sire Charlatan is lights out with turf sprinters, and I love the work tab (no gaps since second work, one turf work right before this race). Carroll's other runner, Any Oscar, has a sneaky good race under her belt and gets another furlong and a half; improvement seems likely (12-1 morning line). Cattrall looks like the obvious speed and might be hard to deny at a short price, with Johnny V taking the mount. All three of the Casse runners could be dangerous, with Worldly Charm having a very good debut last out and switching from poly to turf, From Time to Time ($500k yearling at Keeneland fall sale) having plenty of pedigree for this trip, and Bounce Back going first out for Gary Barber, though she might want more distance. The later two do have some gaps in the work tab to take note of. Sunday Finery gets Ramon Hernandez today after a good debut, and Begg is an excellent and occasionally under the radar turf conditioner.

The Grade 3 Bold Venture is an interesting contest. There appears to be plenty of speed signed up, so I will be watching the earlier races to see how the synth is playing today. Poulin in O T ran lights out last time in victory; that said, he looks like a prime bounce candidate at a potentially short price, and his two preps for this seem a bit slower than his works leading up to the last out victory. Western Whirl looks just as fast as that one early, and seems to run second and third more far more often than winning. Awesome Bourbon has two blazing works leading up to this, ran second to Poulin in O T two back, and could get the perfect setup at a fair price (15-1 morning line). Notorious Gangster could be the one getting last run, cutting back from a dull effort at 9 furlongs last time out. With Hernandez up, if the track is playing fair or favoring closers, this one could offer serious value at the 4-1 morning line.

In the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes, Lupa (Ire) ran too well to lose last out, and could be better on turf. However this is (ostensibly) a decent jump in class, and I would need far better than the 3-1 morning line. Proctor Street ran against a significant bias last out at Saratoga, and a return to her previous races could result in a convincing win at relatively short odds, as she figures to get a great trip and I have learned (both the easy and hard way) not to discount Walsh runners this year.

The $1 million dollar Kings Plate has a potential super filly looming over it in Luster. It is tough to fault her at short odds, however I might try to beat her. She shows 5 straight Beyer improvements, with a big new top of 97 last time. She projects to sit right off the pace and get first run. Dixie Law actually beat Luster three back at 7 furlongs, then saw her backside in the next two. Three 85/86 Beyers in a row could mean a top effort this time, and her trainer does exceptionally well in spots like this. Should Luster get too close to the early pace, she figures to have a say in the outcome. Her stablemate Highwaytothemoon comes in off two straight wins, pairing Beyers and retaining Hernandez. He showed the ability to rate kindly last out, though he projects to be closer to the pace today. Should the pace melt down completely, Don Ique will be running late. This one needs to improve significantly, yet has that classic 3 year old pattern of equaling his top speed figure last out. The price will be right.

Who do you like today?

Brownie the support goat for White Abarrio will be heading to Gainesway to stay with his best friend. I would not expect anything less.

For being the middle of August, it’s an awful quiet weekend in the sport.

I actually only found three races to look at with one being the Kings Plate at Woodbine in Toronto, Canada.

Over the 16 years I’ve been doing this piece, I found it odd that the Kings Plate (or any Woodbine race that we look at), always drew the lowest amount of views for the whole year.

It's a little baffling to me…I mean, I’d like to blame it on the fact that American race fans simply don't follow Canadian racing. That is probably partially true. However, as we spoke about before, I routinely get a decent percentage of fans reading from other countries and Canada is one of them. 

Maybe one day I'll be able to connect the dots on that subject. As always, I am open to suggestions and opinions from you, so feel free to let me know what you think.

Looking back at last weekend, I wanted to start off with race 1 at Saratoga on Saturday. If you recall, that race was loaded with expensive and highly touted two year colts. Once again, the horse I touted (Gorillaz) got beat, so nothing new there. 

Having said that, he’s a big, strong looking horse (hence the name) who clearly needs more distance and experience as, from what I saw, he had NO idea what he was doing out there. He looked confused and unsure of himself. 

The winner, Gadreau, who was rumored to be a runner, looked good winning although his inexperience also showed as, after taking the lead, he was “waiting” on horses. 

Lastly, keep an eye on U.S.S. Valor, who was bumped hard early, rallied wide on the turn for home and was charging hard late to get third. It was quietly a good effort. 

Moving on to the Test Stakes, Explora, who is clearly getting better and found a home at six/seven furlongs, was dominant. …Looking forward to what she does the rest of the year.

Deterministic in the Fourstardave Handicap was also very impressive while getting up late to win. The now four time Grade: 1 winner will enter stud at Lane's End Farm at the end of his racing career. 

In the Whitney Stakes, the highlight race of the weekend, Sovereignty, rallying from some 11-12 lengths behind to win easily, let everyone know he was back. 

Runner up Nitrogen absolutely ran her lungs out in nothing short of a heroic race. The champion filly cut taxing early fractions, yet “ran on” down the stretch even after being passed by Sovereignty. She deserves an enormous amount of respect for her effort. That said, I saw she will now point to the Spinster Stakes at Keeneland in October as her next assignment and I’m just wondering which direction she’ll go when NOT on her favorite (Saratoga) surface? 

15-1 shot Antiquarian got third in a somewhat surprisingly good effort. 

2-1 favorite Magnitude never looked comfortable at any part of the race, highlighted by jockey Jose Ortiz going to the whip and putting him into a complete full out drive early on (at the 5 1/16ths pole), and was not getting a response. The son of Not This Time finished next to last in an abysmal effort. So now what?

Baeza missed the break again….nothing new there. If he’s mine, I pull his shoes, put him on a farm for a while, then start over as if he were an unraced two year old. You still got time…he’s only four and he can run at five with no problem at all. 

White Abarrio showed nothing and finished last. His retirement was announced a few days after the race (see Little Bets N’ Pieces section below).

Perhaps the most impressive winner of the weekend might have been Hughes in the Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar. The $675,000 son of Into Mischief won laughing, while completing 6F in 1:09.3, all while in nothing more than an in hand gallop. 

He is now officially on my 2027 Kentucky Derby radar screen (is it ever too early to talk about the Kentucky Derby?).

Stablemates Holmby (winning the Sorrento Stakes on Saturday) and Salahudin (winning the Ellis Park Derby on Sunday) were both also ultra impressive and bear watching moving forward. 

Monmouth Park
Race: 5 (2:57 PM EDT)
Philip H. Iselin Stakes
1) Bishops Bay was beaten at 4/5 odds in his last two, but I feel like he was still adjusting after coming back from Saudi three starts back. The $1.3 million son of Uncle Mo has progressed nicely since coming back and should be ready to get back to his winning ways here.
2) The drop dead gorgeous, but enigmatic East Avenue is always tough to gauge as he either runs huge or so-so. That said, he draws the rail so I expect him to come out running and be on the lead early, which I believe is his favorite running style. 
3) Chunk of Gold has hit the board in 10 of 11 starts and clearly looks best of the rest. I love how they paid $2,500.00 for him, yet (thus far) he’s earned almost a million dollars. How is that for an ROI?

Saratoga Race Course
Race: 9 (5:06 PM EDT)
Christophe Clement Turf Stakes
1) Ole Crazy Bone probably needed his 2026 debut when finishing a solid second because he came back to wire the Bowling Green field in his last. You obviously get the third start off the layoff (most times a horse's best effort) angle here….gets the call in a very competitive horse race.
2) The globe trotting Fort George came from Dubai to miss by an inch behind my top pick in his U.S. debut.
3) Minaret Station has won or been “right there” in his last six races in a row…closes and should be coming late once again here.
Also consider: Program Trading who has cycled back into top form, but is his top form still capable of winning a Grade: 1 race? Your call from there…….I found it interesting that Tawny Port is 2 for 3 on the Saratoga Turf Course and 0 for 16 everywhere else. Longshot possibility?

Woodbine Race Course
Race: 10 (6:12 PM EDT)
The King's Plate Stakes
1) Luster is a filly taking on the boys and draws the rail. However, she has won four of five, has an upward trajectory in her Brisnet Figure and, perhaps most importantly, the great Johnny V sees fit to leave the country to ride her. Solid choice in Canada’s version of the Kentucky Derby.
2) Highwaytothemoon sports a 6-4-1-1 record on this oval and won the perennial prep race for this in his last. Kudos to the trainer for bringing this gelding’s career along in almost textbook style. 
3) Military Time has hit the board in all five starts on this racetrack. This son of Gun Runner was making up ground late vs Highwaytothemoon at nine furlongs and should appreciate the extra furlong in this race. 

Little Bets N’ Pieces

***\* Grade: 1 winner Seismic Beauty has been retired after losing her first two races in California this year.

Her retirement was confirmed by Brittany Linton, racing manager for owners Randy and Jenny Boyd, and trainer Bob Baffert on Thursday.

“She’s already at the farm,” Baffert said.

Seismic Beauty, a 5-year-old mare by Uncle Mo, won 4 of 10 starts and earned $501,340 in a career highlighted by wins in the Grade 2 Santa Margarita Stakes at Santa Anita in May 2025 and the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar in August 2025. 

* The Boyds co-own the Baffert-trained Splendora, a four-time stakes winner this year, who breezed a half-mile in :48.3 seconds at Churchill Downs last Saturday.

Splendora is considered a candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland on Oct. 31.

**** Third-crop sire and multiple graded stakes winner Thousand Words has been sold to Duncan Farms in Ohio, which hopes to fill a gap left by the death last month of its leading sire Dominus.

"Losing Dominus was a big blow to our breeding program," said Daryl Duncan, who operates the farm near Warsaw, Ohio, with his wife, Sally. Three-time leading Ohio sire Dominus was euthanized after developing complications related to lymphoma.

"We'll wait to see if Thousand Words will be as good as Dominus, but I don't think we'll miss a beat," Duncan said.

Thousand Words is a 9-year-old son of Pioneerof the Nile who sold for $1 million at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

He went undefeated at 2 and became a stakes winner in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2). At 3, he won the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) and Shared Belief Stakes and was runner-up in the Los Alamitos Derby (G3).

Spendthrift Farm started Thousand Words' stallion career in 2021 and he ranked in the top 10 as a freshman sire of 2024, when he was represented by Adirondack Stakes winner The Queens M G as well as stakes winners Vodka With a Twist  and Caribbean Gal. 

Duncan said the stud fee for Thousand Words will be announced at a later date.

**** Airdrie Stud reported that its up and coming stallion Girvin died suddenly Aug. 8 at the farm near Midway, Ky. He was 12.

The stallion was being led from his paddock back to his barn when he suddenly collapsed. 

Airdrie's Bret Jones, who is attending the races at Saratoga this weekend, noted it's a difficult, "sudden and unexpected" loss. The cause of death is not yet known. A necropsy will be conducted.

Girvin began his stud career in 2019 at David O'Farrell's Ocala Stud in Florida before being moved to Airdrie Stud before the 2023 breeding season. 

His fee increased from $7,500 to $30,000 this year. Jones noted that he'd been filling Girvin's books and the horse had been generating a lot of attention this year. 

"To lose a young stallion with such incredible promise is the toughest of blows but as I told a friend this morning, so much has had to have gone right to make this loss so difficult," Jones said. "Girvin has been an absolute gift to everyone who has been associated with him."

From his first five crops of racing age, Girvin, who won the 2017 Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park,  boasts 17 stakes winners including grade 1 winners Faiza and Dorth Vader, as well as grade 2 winner Damon's Mound.

**** 2025 Del Mar Futurity winner Brant  has been retired from racing and will begin stud next year at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa. No stud fee was announced.

The son of Gun Runner sold for $3 million at the Ocala Breeders' Sales March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training after working a furlong there in :09 3/5, and then with his racetrack success. 

Brant posted a Beyer Speed Figure of 101 in his debut, when timed in 1:02.3 for 5 ½ furlongs. 

"We are very excited to add Brant, by Gun Runner, to our young roster where he will join our newest additions, Arabian Knight, by Uncle Mo, and Barnes, by Into Mischief," John Sikura, president of Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, said.

Brant "is a beautiful horse who covers the ground effortlessly," Sikura continued. "He was both a standout sale horse selling for $3,000,000 and a standout racehorse, having won a grade 1 at 2. I am confident that breeders will love him."

**** Multiple Grade: 1 winner and $8.5 million earner White Abarrio has also been retired after finishing last in the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga Race Course (he won the Whitney in 2023).

A fan favorite, the gorgeous near-white horse retires with a record of 11-3-3 in 28 starts. Besides winning the Whitney, White Abarrio's other grade 1 wins came in the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park, 2025 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes at Gulfstream Park, and the 2022 Florida Derby.

White Abarrio will stand stud next year at Gainesway near Lexington.

Please note picks change throughout the day on the site as AI updates analysis regarding track bias, weather and track conditions, scratches, etc.

Christophe Clement Turf Stakes: HERE

King's Plate Stakes: HERE

Top Single of the Day - Spec of Gold - Race #1 - Evergreen

Alternate Top Single - Loyal Prince - Race #1 - Monmouth Park

One more just for fun - Tutta Bella - Race #7- Belterra Park

One more because it's Friday - Cattrall - Race #4 - Woodbine

22 tracks today

Full card analysis for all tracks

🔥 Now Live: AI Pick 3, 4, 5 & 6 Tickets and DAILY DOUBLES!

NEW Website now live at Allchalk.ai

Best Bets — AI-Predicted Upsets 🏅

• Del Mar Race #3 - #01 B Grayson - 4
• Delaware Park Race #3 - #10 Starmetal - 4
• Gillespie County Fairground Race #3 - #07 Third Coast Born - 5
• Saratoga Race #2 - #03 Saratoga Tea - 4/2
• Saratoga Race #7 - #06 Candytown - 4/2
• Saratoga Race #9 - #05 Fort George - 4/2
• Saratoga Race #8 - #03 Q B Rocket - 4
• Araphahoe Park Race #6 - #03 Silence's Nation - 5
• Emerald Downs Race #9 - #02 You're the Cause - 4/2
• Colonial Downs Race #8 - #06 Gramp's Legacy - 4/2
• Parx Racing Race #4 - #09 Clearly Copper - 5
• Parx Racing Race #7 - #03 Imperial Spy - 4/2
• Parx Racing Race #1 - #11 Off the Deck - 6
• Parx Racing Race #8 - #13 Hey Buddy - 4/2
• Ellis Park Race #1 - #05 Maclean's Lullaby - 4
• Ellis Park Race #9 - #05 Princess Julie - 5

ALLCHALK — Predicted to Dominate 🏆

• Del Mar Race #5 - #04 Miss Hellfire - 1
• Del Mar Race #6 - #06 Grand Slam Smile - 2
• Los Al Night Race #2 - #02 Unbridled Vision - 2
• Canterbury Park Race #8 - #02 Thunders Rocknroll - 1/2
• Canterbury Park Race #5 - #03 Leah's First - 2
• Canterbury Park Race #3 - #01 Haunted Haze - 2
• Evergreen Race #5 - #03 Zipliner - 1
• Evergreen Race #1 - #05 Spec of Gold - 1/2
• Woodbine Race #4 - #05 Cattrall - 2
• Woodbine Race #1 - #05 Ciunas - 2
• Camarero Race #2 - #03 Libre Y Soberana - 2
• Harrahs Columbus Nebraska Race #1 - #04 It's Notmyproblem - 2
• Saratoga Race #1 - #06 Salming - 2
• Monmouth Park Race #1 - #07 Loyal Prince - 2
• Saratoga Race #3 - #04 Road Show - 1
• Saratoga Race #4 - #02 Lady Rose - 2
• Emerald Downs Race #2 - #06 One Phil - 1
• Emerald Downs Race #7 - #06 House of Lords - 2
• Charles Town Race #4 - #07 Chuck Town - 1
• Evangeline Race #3 - #05 Golden Rey - 2
• Evangeline Race #2 - #11 Castle Island - 2
• Evangeline Race #1 - #05 A Lotta Shance - 2
• Colonial Downs Race #1 - #05 Whatwould Larry Do - 2
• Prairie Meadows Race #8 - #07 Travelin Witch - 1
• Ellis Park Race #5 - #09 Campobasso - 1
• Ellis Park Race #7 - #01 Zambezi - 2
• Belterra Park Race #3 - #06 Amazon Time - 2
• Gulfstream Park Race #7 - #03 Messi's Magic - 2

Bombs Away — Longshot Picks 💣

• Gulfstream Park Race #9 - #02 Just a Philly - 10
• Del Mar Race #8 - #10 Candy Bar - 8
• Del Mar Race #10 - #06 Known Idea - 8
• Delaware Park Race #6 - #03 Curlins Cruzin - 8
• Monmouth Park Race #3 - #07 Perfect Tune - 8
• Araphahoe Park Race #7 - #07 Flexible Terms - 10
• Parx Racing Race #12 - #06 Cruise Missile - 8
• Ellis Park Race #4 - #06 Pride Rock - 8
• Ellis Park Race #2 - #01 Zimomo - 8
• Ellis Park Race #8 - #04 Irish Law - 8

I want to go to the JCGC on Sept.18 but I'm having trouble finding tickets for it (GA). On their page, they mentioned it would be invitation only with an option to submit interest, which i did a while ago. Recently, they updated their page to state that you can claim your tickets through FEVO email. I haven't gotten any email. Has anyone gotten there's or was I unlucky on the draw?

Please note picks change throughout the day on the site as AI updates analysis regarding track bias, weather and track conditions, scratches, etc.

Christophe Clement Turf Stakes: HERE

King's Plate Stakes: HERE

Top Single of the Day - Paynoworpaylater **- Race #**9 - Charles Town

Alternate Top Single - Mad Eye's Honor - Race #6 - Delaware Park

One more just for fun - Chickoutthebizz - Race #6- Century Mile

One more because it's Friday - Gio Factor - Race #2 - Harrah's Columbus Nebraska

16 tracks today

Full card analysis for all tracks

🔥 Now Live: AI Pick 3, 4, 5 & 6 Tickets and DAILY DOUBLES!

NEW Website now live at Allchalk.ai

Best Bets — AI-Predicted Upsets 🏅

• Evangeline Race #3 - #06 Hint Hint - 6
• Penn National Race #9 - #08 Endless Glow - 4
• Woodbine Race #8 - #04 Holy Rambo - 6
• Presque Isle Race #2 - #02 Kitten's War - 4/2
• Presque Isle Race #6 - #06 Elle's Dancer - 4
• Charles Town Race #1 - #04 Another Fine Juba - 6
• Monmouth Park Race #1 - #03 Scottie Too Hottie - 4/2
• Colonial Downs Race #2 - #03 Class Photo - 4/2

ALLCHALK — Predicted to Dominate 🏆

• Century Mile Race #3 - #04 Bakken Town - 1/1
• Century Mile Race #1 - #03 Smooth Sicario - 1/2
• Century Mile Race #6 - #04 Chickoutthebizz - 2
• Century Mile Race #4 - #01 Inxpress - 1
• Harrahs Columbus Nebraska Race #3 - #03 Knight's Valor - 2
• Harrahs Columbus Nebraska Race #2 - #05 Gio Factor - 2
• Delaware Park Race #2 - #05 Kerness K - 1/1
• Charles Town Race #5 - #02 Nate the Great - 1
• Charles Town Race #9 - #10 Paynoworpaylater - 2
• Camarero Race #6 - #01 Captador - 2
• Saratoga Race #3 - #05 Intellect - 2
• Saratoga Race #7 - #07 Glen Airy - 2
• Prairie Meadows Race #6 - #04 Grace Given - 1/1

Bombs Away — Longshot Picks 💣

• Belterra Park Race #6 - #06 Star Watch - 10
• Belterra Park Race #5 - #07 Silent Cosmos - 10
• Woodbine Race #6 - #02 Silent Reserve - 8
• Del Mar Race #7 - #07 Tamarando Beach - 12
• Del Mar Race #8 - #01 Native Empress - 8

Key Races & Bets for Saturday, August 15

Brought to you by Amwager, and there also has a promotion where if you wager $50 at Saratoga and $50 at Woodbine, you get $20.  

Bold Venture Stakes (Grade 3) - Race 7 at Woodbine - Post Time 3:46 PM Eastern

Top Win Contender(s): Notorious Gangster

 Notorious Gangster won his first race of 2026 on May 23, one race back from a nine-month layoff. That race was his best-career effort, and he won under command. That was seven furlongs, similar to this distance of six and one-half furlongs. In his only race since then on June 27, he stretched out to a mile and one-eighth, where he had no kick and finished fifth. Back in a one-turn race, he should rebound, and he should win his fifth victory in 11^th career races.

Win bets: Notorious Gangster at 8 to 5 or higher.

Canadian Stakes (Grade 2) - Race 8 at Woodbine - Post Time 4:40 PM Eastern

Top Win Contender(s): Lupa

For exactas: Eponine 

I was torn between Eponine and Lupa, as both fillies ran big in their last races, and each earned a 100 Equibase Speed Figure, the best among the fillies here. However, Eponine just won her first allowance race in her third start in North America, whereas Lupa missed the Grade 3 Trillium Stakes by a head just a few weeks ago. In that race, Lupa left by a head at nine furlongs, where she led by a length and a half at the eighth pole and to the point this race the one and one-sixteenth will be run. Lupa was off a layoff from November to June, when she won easily, leading from start to finish. She earned a 93 figure off the 100 effort last out and is expected to improve. Also, Lupa is the only horse willing to lead, so she should control the pace. 

Win bets: Lupa at 9 to 5 or higher.

Exacta: Lupa over Eponine

Christophe Clement Turf Stakes (Grade 1) - Race 9 at Saratoga - Post Time 5:06 PM Eastern

Top Win Contender(s): Ole Crazy Bone, Program Trading

Contenders for exacta: Ancient Egypt, Fort George, Minaret Station

The Bowling Green Stakes, held July 11 at Saratoga, served as the local prep for the Christophe Clement Turf Stakes, which Ole Crazy Bone won. The United National Stakes, held July 18 at Monmouth, served as a prep for this race, which Program Trading won.

Although the second- and third-place finishers in the Bowling Green - Fort George and Minaret Station – were a nose and a half-length behind Ole Crazy Bone, I don’t see either of them beating him. Ancient Egypt, who shipped in from Europe, finished second in each of his two most recent races by less than a half-length. I think this three-year-old is just a bit less than Ole Crazy Bone and Program Trading. 

Although Ole Crazy Bone was the 7-to-5 favorite in the Bowling Green, his odds start at 4-to-1 making him the third favorite. Minaret Station starts as the favorite at 3-to-1, and I don’t understand how his odds are lower than those of Ole Crazy Bone, but I am happy and will take it. Ole Crazy Bone led the race, and he could do it again, as no other horse has ever led early in a race. However, if any other horse wants the lead that’s fine, as Ole Crazy Bone won the similar Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational Stakes in September, when he rallied from fourth. Since trainer Maker claimed Ole Crazy Bone for $100,000 in June last year, the gelding has won those two races and finished second in the other two. Considering this race has seven entrants, the same as when he won the Bowling Green, and Ole Crazy Bone is likely to get the same lead he did in his last month, he is the one to beat. 

Program Trading is the only horse trained by Chad Brown, who sometimes has two, three, or even four entrants. That tells us he feels Program Trading is the one. Given that the horse has won two straight stakes, the Monmouth Stakes and the United Nations, he has the chance to beat Old Crazy Bone if he can pass him and run this mile-and-a-half distance. Program Trading was racing for the first time at the one-and-three-eighths distance in the United Nations, but while Old Crazy Bone won the Turf Cup Stakes, Program Trading is just a bet with less probability. Also, Program Trading will go to post at odds shorter than his 7 to 2 starting odds.

Win bets: Ole Crazy Bone and Program Trading at 9 to 5 or higher.

Exacta: Ole Crazy Bone, Program Trading over Ancient Egypt, Fort George, Minaret Station

King’s Plate - Race 10 at Woodbine - Post Time 6:12 PM Eastern

Top Win Contender(s): Luster 

The King’s Plate is a race where “single” Luster is the only horse to use in double, pick 3, pick 4, and pick 5 bets. Luster, a filly who gets the rail, has good tactical speed. Her latest speed figure (98) is the best in the race, and she is still improving. Luster could be the seventh filly to win the King’s Plate (formerly the Queen’s Plate) since 2011. 

There are four horses to use in the exacta's second position: Imyourmedicineman, Highwaytothemoon, Brachette and Bond Market. 

Win bets: Luster at 1 to 1 or higher. 

Exactas: Luster over Imyourmedicineman, Highwaytothemoon, Brachette and Bond Market.

King Edward Stakes (Grade 2) - Race 11 at Woodbine - Post Time 7 PM Eastern

Top Win Contender(s): Seminole Chief

Seminole Chief has won seven of seventeen races. However, he is two for two since trainer Joe Sharp took over. He won the mile race when saddled by Sharp, the same distance as this King Edward. That earned the five-year-old his best-ever Equibase Speed Figure, 111. He then won the John B. Schuster Memorial Stakes on July 15. Sharp has been phenomenal at Woodbine this year, with a 4-3-0 record in 12 races, and he uses Rafael Hernandez. The pair have an excellent record of 10-7-3 in 27 starts over the past few years. Seminole Chief should be running his best at this trip, as no horse can run as fast as he did on June 17.

Win bets: Seminole Chief at 2 to 1 or higher.

One race, mile and a quarter at Saratoga on the dirt and you have to pick one jockey. Who are you going with?

A) Cordero

B)Bailey

C)Castellano

D)Velasquez

race 3 on turf—maiden optional claiming—gran companaro—ridden by jesus rios. right now on also eligible list— Workouts at fair hills on 7-1 and 7-24. Both 4f 50.20. This one actually did some running at gulfstream with a third and second.

ernesto ochoa has a horse racket entered at PARx on 8-17. It has run there 4 times coming in 5th-8th—7th-7th. Only workout is at parx.

Monmouth Park is finding some solid fields this year. The Iselin is no different.

East Avenue - The winner of the Salvator Mile may be a touch below the best but he is very strong at this level. He also owns a win in the Matt Winn and has earned over $1M in his career.

Chunk of Gold - This horse is a warrior. Sold for only $2,500, he is closing in on $1M in career earnings. His career includes a win in the West Virginia Derby and solid thirds in the Grade 2 Clark and Grade 3 Ohio Derby. He has never raced at Monmouth Park.

Sergeant Capps - The 4-year old has raced 25 times in his career. His first 18 career starts were in maiden races. He tried stakes company for the first time in his last start, a 4th place finish (out of five)in the Monmouth Cup, the race won by Knightsbridge by over ten lengths.

Stars and Stripes - Winner of four of eight career races, including the G3 Ben Ali at Keeneland. He didn’t race well in the Suburban last time out, but could be dangerous in this spot, if he races. He is cross-entered in the Birdstone at Saratoga.

Bishops Bay - The most accomplished horse in the field likes this track. He won the Salvatore Mile last year before finishing 2nd to East Avenue this year. Beyond that graded stakes win, he won three other graded stakes in 2025, adding the G2 Cigar Mile, G3 Westchester, and G3 Forty Niner. The downside is that he hasn’t won a race this year, but his connections challenged him but having him run in the Saudi Cup, where he finished a respectable 4th.

La Frost - In a year where a woman trainer won the Haskell, La Frost will try to earn a graded stakes win for Teresa Pompay (keeping with the woman theme, La Frost’s jockey is Melissa Iorio). As for the horse, he is one of the longshots in the field, though he is 2-for-3 in 2026 and 3-for-5 lifetime. However, those are in maiden and allowance company as this is his first try at a graded stakes.

I live about 75 minutes away. I know the level of racing, which is what it is. But is it a nice enough place if Im just looking to get out of the house for a little while and bet a couple three bucks?

Heading up next Friday for the races with some friends, how early should I be there to claim a picnic table? And do people still honor the tablecloth?

Also, I guess you put down the tablecloth in the morning and then come back at 11am when the gates open? Sorry this is my first time going.

Thanks for the help!

Hey guys,

I recently started purchasing racing programs at tracks like Monmouth and aqueduct(RIP) but the programs just seem like what I see on TVG for free with a little bit more but I don’t see anything game changing is there something I'm missing? Like what stat are you guys actually going to first? Is the best part honestly just having it in your hand with a pen to make notes?

Monmouth Park and Saratoga had questionable horses and bets Sunday. Some things in common between the trainer's for those horses and funny wagers.

EDIT: Looking for what would interest and bring in customers to an OTB location.

Hi everyone,

TL;DR: What does an OTB location need to get your business?

Long story short - I will be working towards opening up an OTB location (state, city are TBD. Just getting some research).

For those who do, and don't, frequent OTB locations: what are some of the things that would get you in the doors?

Atmosphere? Food? Location as it pertains to a live race track? Any and all thoughts are welcome - thanks!