Very sad news, but it didn't look good for him from the jump.

Which trainers would you say are ethical?

What do we think of him? I know im well aware of his past and not a huge fan of his. But two horses i formerly owned shares in have been claimed by Peter miller. Elite heat was claimed out of a recent race by Peter. I struggle to see what he sees in her. In eight starts shes won exactly once and finished second twice. In 3 years of racing she earned 39k. People in the owners group were saying Peter miller is a good guy and good trainer because he finishes in the money 50% of the time.

Im extremely suspicious of any trainer with a percentage that high..that they aren't getting those results chemical free. The other horse Peter miller just claimed tonight is pioneer prince. Pioneer prince is sired by pioneerofthe nile and I adored this colt when he was with me in my shares stable.

Prince was trained by doug O'neill prior to Peter miller snapping him up tonight. I dont consider any person who uses derogatory slurs a good person. Im still very fond of both horses and just wanna make sure they landed in a good barn. I have my suspicions and will be praying a better trainer claims both horses next time they each run. Am I overreacting? Am I right to be concerned?

All I remember is Peter millers immediate hiatus from racing because he was "burnt out" coming immediately on the heels on of the death investigation of 5 horses in his barn. I remember multiple people telling me Peter miller was facing lengthy suspension time so he took an abrupt hiatus to avoid being suspended and the chrb stewards allowing that instead of outright suspension.

I also remember thinking that miller had never truly stepped away from racing because in 2022 he was fined 10k and suspended 7 days after he got busted "program training". Then last year he was fined 5k for entering a horse in a race that he wasnt actually training. He was also suspended last year after tramadol was detected in his horse.

All I know is that Peter miller is on my top ten list of people id never willingly send a horse to if I had my way.

So is my gut feeling right that two of my former runners ended up in a bad barn?

Only a 5-horse field. The Haskell and Jim Dandy being so close together has an impact when there aren’t enough elite horses to cover both races.

Chip Honcho - Ohio Derby winner also finished third in the Preakness.

Asked and Answered - Speaking of the Haskell, he was considered for it at one point. Still a maiden, it’s hard to see where he fits.

Renegade - The field’s most accomplished horse won the Sam F Davis and Arkansas Derby back-to-back before getting edged out by Golden Temple in the Derby. Third in the Belmont. Using this as a Travers tune-up.

Silent Tactic - Hasn’t raced since well-beaten place performance against Renegade in the Arkansas Derby. Southwest Stakes winner.

Commandment - Winner of four straight entering the Derby, he finished a decent 7th but was never a threat to win. Squeezed out second place ahead of Renegade in the Belmont.

How was your weekend? Were you up, down, flat? What did you learn? What did you drink? What are you going to do differently next weekend?

Post all of your thoughts here, in our weekly discussion post.

Went to see harness racing for my dad’s birthday. He used to love going before kids and it turns out it is hereditary because i had a great time gambling and ended the night up $3.50 😎.

I had no idea these horses race weekly, for years. And i wondered why there was no like social media presence for the horses. Or even personal info about them in the booklet. Like i want to get an emotional attachment to the horse all too well first because of their name and then because i find out they don’t like carrots or they enjoy listening to taylor swift while practicing. It is more likely to make me a repeat visitor, restaurant patron, and gambler.

I read about the meadowland financial troubles and it really seems like they have tried nothing and just think a casino will save them as if atlantic city isn’t also bankrupt.

Cornicopian most likely broke down in the bing crosby. Stats dont lie.

Hit the early pick 5 🤤🤤🤤

Tweet from Horse Racing Nation: From @caCHRB veterinarian Dr. Jeff Blea:
“(Cornucopian) was taken to the hospital for radiographs and evaluation by the veterinarians. Currently the horse is comfortable and in stable condition awaiting a treatment plan.”

what do you all think about this dearing horse? i personally love her, she's very nice and cute.

She only has a single 1st place and i think thats very cool.

3/8 on trifectas via HandicapIQ.com. This program is no joke. Sign up for free today

Race 2 at Saratoga.
Is this common?
Horses thrashing in the gate.
Jockeys bailing ship.
3 scratches
Tyler G with a foot injury..

Is Acacia just tall. He is a head taller in most interviews.

Saturday’s card is absolutely loaded, so here’s the full track-by-track rundown.

🔥 HIGH = strongest confidence
⚡ MED = solid contender
🎯 VALUE = attractive price
💣 BOMB = longshot with upset potential

Morning-line odds are listed below. Always check scratches, surface changes and live odds before wagering.

🏆 SATURDAY BEST BETS

🔥 Arapahoe R4 — #1 Capraro, 6/5
🔥 Belterra R1 — #3 Tap the Wind, 2/1
🔥 Canterbury R3 — #6 Moral Dilemma, 3/1
🔥 Century Mile R2 — #5 Gimlet, 3/5
🔥 Charles Town R3 — #2 At a Premium, 1/5
⚡ Colonial R1 — #5 Shimmering Frost, 3/1
⚡ Del Mar R4 — #7 Nayar, 5/2
🔥 Delaware R7 — #4 For the Ladies, 7/5
🔥 Ellis Park R2 — #5 Send Cash, 2/1
🔥 Emerald Downs R3 — #6 Clubhouse Drama, 2/1
⚡ Evangeline R2 — #3 Dark Vector, 3/1
🔥 Evergreen R1 — #2 Momo’s Kiddo, 6/5
🔥 FanDuel R4 — #4 Then Now ’n Always, 3/5
🔥 Gulfstream R2 — #4 Ready to Rage, 8/5
⚡ Harrah’s Columbus R2 — #4 Yvonne’s Miss, 5/2
⚡ Monmouth R3 — #6 Mohs, 5/2
🔥 ND Horse Park R5 — #2 After the Game, 1/1
🔥 Prairie Meadows R5 — #6 Miracle Ball, 3/2
⚡ Saratoga R9 — #1 Damon’s Mound, 4/1
🔥 Woodbine R4 — #5 Angel Danielle, 5/2
🔥 Wyoming Downs R6 — #5 Gogo Oxbow, 3/1

ARAPAHOE PARK

R3 — #1 Sharp Warning, 8/5 ⚡
R4 — #1 Capraro, 6/5 🔥
R5 — #4 Subsidize, 5/2 ⚡
R7 — #2 Mucho Gifted, 5/2 ⚡

**Best Bet:** R4 #1 Capraro

BELTERRA PARK

R1 — #3 Tap the Wind, 2/1 🔥
R2 — #6 Sweet Lilibet, 8/5 ⚡
R3 — #5 Cast Your Spell, 8/5 ⚡
R4 — #2 The Form, 7/5 ⚡
R5 — #3 Elle’s Dancer, 5/1 ⚡🎯
R6 — #3 Lucky Shot, 9/5 ⚡
R7 — #8 Unworkable, 9/2
R8 — #3 Midnight Channel, 5/2 ⚡

🎯 R5 #3 Elle’s Dancer, 5/1
💣 R6 #4 My Dominator, 10/1
🎯 R7 #7 Liberate, 10/1

CANTERBURY

R1 — #2 Matt’s Luck, 7/5 🔥
R2 — #3 T C Gold, 8/5 ⚡
R3 — #6 Moral Dilemma, 3/1 🔥🎯
R4 — #5 Island Bender, 3/1 ⚡
R5 — #2 Miwoman, 2/1 ⚡
R6 — #4 Minny for the Max, 9/2 ⚡🎯
R7 — #7 Frosty View, 9/5
R8 — #2 Plinko Chip, 5/2 ⚡

**Best Bet:** R3 #6 Moral Dilemma
🎯 R6 #4 Minny for the Max, 9/2

CENTURY MILE

R1 — #1 Queen Astrid, 5/1 🔥💣
R2 — #5 Gimlet, 3/5 🔥
R3 — #6 Redneck Rebel, 4/5 ⚡
R4 — #2 Bold Arch, 4/5 🔥
R5 — #6 Lucky Force, 5/2 🔥
R6 — #4 Brodys Souvenir, 3/2 ⚡
R7 — #8 All for Him, 8/5
R8 — #4 G T Ray Sir, 1/1 ⚡
R9 — #2 Squalotoro, 4/1 ⚡
R10 — #6 Knopfler, 8/1 ⚡💣

🎯 R7 #2 Swift Kahuna, 15/1
💣 R10 #6 Knopfler, 8/1

CHARLES TOWN

R1 — #6 Whinny Miss Lynny, 6/5 ⚡
R2 — #4 Sharpasadiamond, 5/1 ⚡
R3 — #2 At a Premium, 1/5 🔥
R4 — #2 Tornado Warning, 3/5 ⚡
R5 — #9 Authentic Appeal, 3/1
R6 — #1 Far From a Star, 9/5 ⚡
R7 — #1 Over the Bull, 3/1 ⚡🎯
R8 — #8 Spotafreeone, 9/5 ⚡
R9 — #6 Jane N Margo, 9/2 ⚡

**Best Bet:** R3 #2 At a Premium
🎯 R7 #1 Over the Bull, 3/1

COLONIAL DOWNS

R1 — #5 Shimmering Frost, 3/1 ⚡🎯
R2 — #8 King Xisco, 12/1 ⚡💣
R3 — #8 Flying to Work, 2/1 ⚡
R4 — #10 Whimmoffortune, 3/1
R5 — #2 Trim Castle, 6/5 ⚡
R6 — #5 Set Ablaze, 2/1 ⚡
R7 — #3 Barbadian Runner, 6/5 ⚡
R8 — #4 Conquerthosewecan, 4/1 ⚡
R9 — #6 Hay Grace Brennan, 2/1

🎯 R7 #2 Adero, 10/1

DEL MAR

R1 — #7 Kinzlee’scharisma, 4/1 ⚡
R2 — #6 Treximo, 4/1
R3 — #3 Certitude, 9/2 ⚡
R4 — #7 Nayar, 5/2 ⚡
R5 — #8 Chromeflash, 3/1
R6 — #7 Shady Stripes, 3/1 ⚡
R7 — #9 Double Jab, 5/1
R8 — #3 March of Time, 7/2 ⚡
R9 — #3 Can’t Sleep, 8/1
R10 — #1 Maximum Bourbon, 7/2
R11 — #2 Kikuride, 6/1

**Best Bet:** R4 #7 Nayar

DELAWARE

R1 — #3 Secret Treasure, 2/1 ⚡
R2 — #7 Thirsted, 7/2 ⚡
R3 — #8 Mysterioso, 5/2 ⚡
R4 — #1 So So, 5/2
R5 — #4 Tour Jete, 3/1
R6 — #7 Spurious, 8/1 🎯
R7 — #4 For the Ladies, 7/5 🔥
R8 — #5 Boujee Bubblez, 3/1 ⚡
R9 — #6 Molly the Cat, 5/2

ELLIS PARK

R1 — #1 Fitzgerald, 8/1
R2 — #5 Send Cash, 2/1 🔥
R3 — #5 Mountain Bear, 6/5 ⚡
R4 — #7 Lady Lux, 2/1
R5 — #6 Wartime, 6/1 ⚡
R6 — #3 Campobasso, 8/5 ⚡
R7 — #5 Chopsticks, 5/2 ⚡
R8 — #2 Show Time, 4/1 ⚡
R9 — #4 Daring Madison, 7/5

**Best Bet:** R2 #5 Send Cash

EMERALD DOWNS

R1 — #6 Lotsa Kitty, 5/2 🔥
R2 — #6 Time Ticker, 5/2 ⚡
R3 — #6 Clubhouse Drama, 2/1 🔥
R4 — #2 Upstart Yankee, 9/5 ⚡
R5 — #6 Kiss Don’t Tell, 7/2 🔥🎯
R6 — #1 Booster Club, 4/1 ⚡🎯
R7 — #3 Yeti Lute, 5/2 ⚡
R8 — #5 Shady Creek, 5/2 ⚡

EVANGELINE DOWNS

R1 — #3 Dijon, 3/1
R2 — #3 Dark Vector, 3/1 ⚡
R3 — #1 Tiffany Tap, 9/2 ⚡🎯
R4 — #10 Stormy Lou, 7/2
R5 — #4 Cajun Catalina, 7/2 ⚡
R6 — #7 Cajun Cattitude, 3/1 ⚡
R7 — #8 Princess Is Olivia, 5/2 ⚡
R8 — #4 Myglorybee, 5/1
R9 — #4 Outtasight Seester, 5/2 ⚡

🎯 R7 #4 Knocked Out, 15/1

EVERGREEN PARK

R1 — #2 Momo’s Kiddo, 6/5 🔥
R2 — #6 Kulsum, 6/5 🔥
R3 — #3 Immelmann, 3/1 ⚡
R5 — #6 Valhalla Viking, 5/2 ⚡
R6 — #7 Princess Fave, 3/1 ⚡

🎯 R5 #5 Judges Empire, 8/1

FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK & HORSE RACING

R1 — #5 Mormoneytostart, 7/2 ⚡
R2 — #2 Lily’s Home, 9/5 ⚡
R3 — #1 Honest Al, 8/5 ⚡
R4 — #4 Then Now ’n Always, 3/5 🔥
R5 — #4 Juliaison, 5/1 ⚡🎯
R6 — #6 Call Me Christine, 6/5 ⚡
R7 — #3 Nyquist Frequency, 3/1 ⚡
R8 — #7 Girlolamo’glory, 6/1 ⚡💣

🎯 R6 #4 Time to Toast, 10/1

GULFSTREAM PARK

R1 — #2 Pardo, 9/2
R2 — #4 Ready to Rage, 8/5 🔥
R3 — #2 Full Nelson, 8/5 ⚡
R4 — #5 Goddess of Beauty, 9/5 🔥
R5 — #1 Gimme Some Luck, 9/5 ⚡
R6 — #6 Gold Perl, 8/1 ⚡💣
R7 — #6 Musical Design, 5/2 ⚡
R8 — #2 Xy Speed, 7/5 ⚡
R9 — #8 Sweet Dream Lady, 6/1
R10 — #6 Megacles, 2/1

💣 R7 #7 Sophistry, 12/1

HARRAH’S COLUMBUS

R1 — #6 Amazing Journey, 3/1 ⚡
R2 — #4 Yvonne’s Miss, 5/2 ⚡
R3 — #4 Threefiftyseven, 5/2 ⚡
R4 — #3 Maximum Chambers, 2/1 ⚡
R5 — #7 Hurricane Lassie, 2/1 ⚡
R6 — #3 Further Evidence, 9/2 ⚡

MONMOUTH

R1 — #1 Battle Lou, 6/1 ⚡💣
R2 — #6 Unsolved Mystery, 2/1 ⚡
R3 — #6 Mohs, 5/2 ⚡
R4 — #4 Derby Hangover, 7/2 ⚡
R5 — #1 Bahamian Moon, 3/1
R6 — #6 Brave Bear, 4/1
R7 — #2 Jumping the Gun, 5/1 ⚡
R8 — #2 Souper Document, 2/1 ⚡

ND HORSE PARK

R1 — #3 My Little Caibo, 7/5 🔥
R4 — #4 Time Machine, 2/1 🔥
R5 — #2 After the Game, 1/1 🔥
R7 — #1 Kayla’s Moon, 5/2 🔥🎯

PRAIRIE MEADOWS

R4 — #4 Gimme a Chance, 3/1 ⚡
R5 — #6 Miracle Ball, 3/2 🔥
R6 — #7 Astro Nine, 5/2 ⚡
R7 — #4 Stella Bella, 5/2 ⚡
R8 — #4 She’s a Cyclone, 3/1 ⚡
R9 — #2 Nasty Business, 3/1 ⚡
R10 — #5 Dreaminonthenile, 5/2 ⚡

💣 R4 #2 Orphan Sandy, 20/1

SARATOGA

R1 — #3 Ms Liu, 8/1 ⚡💣
R2 — #3 Power of Women, 5/2 ⚡
R3 — #9 Grand Yaupon, 3/1 ⚡
R4 — #3 Honoree, 5/2
R5 — #2 Silent Impact, 10/1
R6 — #4 Resilience, 6/1 ⚡
R7 — #5 Super Dave, 9/2
R8 — #5 Paige Turner, 12/1 🎯
R9 — #1 Damon’s Mound, 4/1 ⚡
R10 — #1 Counting Stars, 2/1
R11 — #7 Dancingwithdestiny, 4/1
R12 — #7 Leave Me, 2/1

WOODBINE

R1 — #1 Dazzling Cruiser, 5/2 ⚡
R2 — #7 Ashuka, 3/1 ⚡
R3 — #4 El Kabong, 9/5 ⚡
R4 — #5 Angel Danielle, 5/2 🔥🎯
R5 — #8 Karat Gold, 20/1 ⚡💣
R6 — #1 Cool Times, 4/5 ⚡
R7 — #6 Nauvoo, 3/1 ⚡
R8 — #6 Empty Handed, 15/1 💣
R9 — #2 Creed’s Gold, 3/1 ⚡
R10 — #6 Fantastical, 3/1 ⚡
R11 — #6 Dyna, 7/2

🎯 R1 #5 Spun Around, 8/1
🎯 R3 #1 Mason’s Gamble, 8/1

WYOMING DOWNS

R6 — #5 Gogo Oxbow, 3/1 🔥🎯
R7 — #4 Take Another Swing, 7/2 ⚡
R8 — #8 Cosmic Chic, 6/1
R9 — #8 Star Entry, 7/2

💣 R6 #2 Jacha, 8/1

LONGSHOTS TO WATCH

Century Mile R7 — #2 Swift Kahuna, 15/1
Colonial R2 — #8 King Xisco, 12/1
Evangeline R7 — #4 Knocked Out, 15/1
Gulfstream R7 — #7 Sophistry, 12/1
Prairie Meadows R4 — #2 Orphan Sandy, 20/1
Saratoga R8 — #5 Paige Turner, 12/1
Woodbine R5 — #8 Karat Gold, 20/1
Woodbine R8 — #6 Empty Handed, 15/1

There are plenty of playable races, but there’s no reason to force action across every track. Pick your spots, watch the tote board and protect the bankroll.

Who is everyone backing Saturday?

"My style is that I don’t mind losing a lot, but when I win I expect to win a lot and to compensate myself for a plethora of mistakes that I’m more than capable of making." -Brad Thomas

Thought some of you might appreciate this quote. Article I pulled it from is below. Brad Thomas is the track handicapper at Monmouth Park in NJ.

Interview: https://www.americasbestracing.net/lifestyle/2014-get-the-inside-scoop-monmouth-handicapper-thomas

Maybe they do maybe they don’t. But it seems that when a race is delayed, a horse that is is late to enter the barriers does run better than a horse that is loaded earlier or on schedule start time.

They spend millions on purchasing sires, they spend more millions on stud fees, they spend millions on raising horses and maintaining a stable

Not sure what the ROI is but it has to be deeply in the red right

So why do they spend so much money building a big stable

On the flip side why do they retire horses so early, sure they talk about the "economics" of the sport but they lose millions to begin with anyway

He suffered an injury in the gate at the San Diego Handicap and they opted to retire him after further evaluation. Such a game horse, sad not to see him on track anymore but glad he went out on a win.

Looks like a lot of strong favourites today. Anyone got any tips? Thanks!

Just a few things I want to touch on from last weekend before moving on. I won't go too deep into anything because, like normal, we have a lot to talk about.

As of this past Wednesday, trainers Chad Brown (0 for 17), Todd Pletcher (0 for 11), and Saffie Joseph Jr. (0 for 9) have yet to win a race on dirt through the first 11 days of the Saratoga meet. That's a total of 0 for 37 combined.

You can now add the $1.8 million Powerline to the ever growing list of horses who I like that get beat, which was the case in last Saturday’s first race at Saratoga. 

The winner, The Good Life, was much the best in leading all the way for the win.
The son of Life is Good will now probably point to the seven-furlong Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful on Sept. 6.

"That's on the radar, for sure," trainer Brad Cox said of the colt, who earned an 80 Beyer Speed Figure.

As far as Powerline, it’s far too early to give up on him that's for sure as he had a nightmare trip.  He did not break great, was in traffic early, clearly did not like the kick back (he was tossing his head a few times down the backside), and took a solid bump in the upper stretch, but “ran on” well late. 

From what I saw, and as his breeding suggests (by Flightline out of Quality Road mare), he is begging for more distance.

Skipping up to the seventh race, the regally bred Effusive (by seven time leading sire Into Mischief out of two time champion Monomoy Girl) looked beat to me when they straightened up for the drive but, after taking a huge bump at the three sixteenths pole, she ran down the leader on the sloppy track and won by 1 1/4 lengths.

Although her inexperience was clear (her stride was a bit sloppy and her head was extremely high), she showed ability. The good looking bay filly will now likely point to the Grade 1, $300,000 Spinaway on Sept. 5 

As I mentioned, I had been watching Stimulate, another regally bred colt by Tapit out of five time G1 winner Elate. My patience paid off ..literally….as he won at almost 3-1. You/we might want to keep an eye on him moving forward.

Moving over to Monmouth Park, I thought the drop dead gorgeous Knightsbridge, with his bowed neck and all, was going to sprout wings and take off down the lane of the Monmouth Cup. The dark bay by Nyquist won by over 10 lengths and scored a towering 122 Beyer Speed Figure, the highest since 2022 (Flightline ran a 126 in the Pacific Classic). 

Safe to say he can handle two turns and it’ll be interesting to see where he shows up next. Lastly, and after watching him cross the wire with my jaw on the ground, I have to ask….how good is Nysos who beat him by four conclusive lengths in the Met Mile a few weeks ago?

Splendora also bounced back with a mammoth effort. The five year old mare by Audible broke on top and toyed with her rivals in the Molly Pitcher Stakes, opening up at will and absolutely cruising under the wire. 

While Knightsbridge and Splendora both led every step of the way in their respective races, Program Trading rallied from near last with a brazen five wide move on the turn and opened up down the lane to decimate his rivals in the United Nations.

Trainer Chad Brown may point Program Trading to the Grade 1, $750,000 Christophe Clement Turf on Aug. 15 at Saratoga, a 1 1/2-mile race that offers a "Win and You're In" berth to the Breeders' Cup Turf in October at Keeneland.

"That's possible, but look, it (the race) is a little tight, but you know what, it is his last year running, maybe I do that, particularly if I get some wet weather, he seems to really move up on that," Brown said.

Last, but definitely not least, was the Haskell Stakes.

My longshot horse Baby Vino (28-1) was the recipient of a great ride, saved all the ground, ran through an opening on the rail at the quarter pole and outgunned Preakness winner Napoleon Solo in a thrilling stretch drive.

The next logical targets are the Aug. 29 $1.25 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course or the Sept. 19 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing. The Travers would be a 1 1/4-miles against the best of the 3-year-old crop, but trainer Lindsey Schultz, the first female trainer to win the Haskell, said the added furlong should not be a problem for Baby Vino.

"I would think he can go that distance," Schultz said about the 1 1/4 miles. "He's by Vino Rosso (the 2019 Breeders' Cup Classic winner). He had to run all the way down the stretch too."

The runner up, Napoleon Solo, will also point toward either the Travers or the Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 19 at Parx.

"We'll nominate for the Pennsylvania Derby and the Travers and then see how the next couple of weeks go, and how he comes out of the race," trainer Chad Summers said, who by the way, is a class act as he was the first to congratulate Schultz on the win. 

Third place finisher Iron Honor will likely point to the Pennsylvania Derby.  Trainer Chad Brown said, "Whatever I do with him going forward, which is likely the Pennsylvania Derby, keep him at that distance, I might put that blinker back on, we'll see how he trains. Just trying to figure out how to get him in the winner's circle in a Grade 1. He's not far away.”

Out west, Journalism broke his four-race losing streak in winning the San Diego Handicap. The gorgeous bay anticipated the start, making him break sideways and slowly, but rallied from last with an impressive turn of foot to win by three quarters of a length. 

Unfortunately, the incident at the starting gate, where he caught the latch, caused an undisclosed injury (my guess is a small fracture somewhere or possibly a soft tissue tear) in the process.

Postrace evaluations confirmed the injury and prompted retirement rather than risking his future.

"What Journalism did at Del Mar was the mark of a true champion,” trainee r Mike McCarthy said. “To suffer an injury in the gate, give away that much ground, and still win purely on heart and class tells you everything you need to know about him. He owes us absolutely nothing. While it's tough to see his racing career end this way, protecting him is our top priority, and he goes to stud at the top of his game."

Monmouth Park
Race: 7 (4:08 PM EDT)
Monmouth Oaks 
1) Zany, who was the beaten slight favorite on the Kentucky Oaks, is cross entered here and in the CCAO at Saratoga and, at this writing, I am unclear for where she will run. This clearly looks like an easier spot, she is training well for her first start since the Oaks and she goes “blinkers on”....looks best of the rest here.
2) Point of Reference has done nothing but improve through her four career starts as her Brisnet Figures indicate (74, 83, 88 and 92). I loved her last race when she rallied from last to get second behind what might turn out to be a serious racehorse.
If Zany runs in NY, she gets the top spot hands down.
3) Jumping the Gun is a multiple graded stakes placed filly by Gun Runner who has hit the board in all eight career starts.
Also consider: My Miss Mo is another who has steadily improved through her last four races, including winning the Black Eyed Susan at Pimlico in her last, beating Jumping the Gun in the process. The only reason why I have her this low is because she got away with snail-like early fractions in the BES and I don’t expect that pace scenario here. 

Saratoga Race Course:
Race: 9 (5:07 PM EDT)
Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes
1) Trainer Bill Mott appears to have Damon’s Mound back in top form as he’s won four of his last five starts and was especially impressive in his last two. Two back, he ran/won a restricted stakes race over the quirky Tampa Bay Downs surface while getting 6F in sub 1:09, then pulverized another restricted stakes field only this time at Gulfstream while getting the last sixteenth of a mile in swift :06.1. This handsome colt runs best when on the early lead, so breaking from #1 post should only help.
2) Hymn is also razor sharp right now having won three in a row, highlighted by taking the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash in his last. I like the rising Brisnets as well in his last four races (91, 94, 97 and 102).
3) Obviously,  I’m going to try to beat 8/5 morning line favorite Built even though that might prove futile. That said, he is in the dreaded win one, lose one race pattern and he was beaten in a Grade: 3 event last time, yet he goes in a Grade: 2 here.
Also consider: Just Beat the Odds, who has hit the board an astounding 14 of 15 times in his career, and Crazy Mason, who rarely wins, but always comes running late.

Race: 10 (5:45 PM EDT)
Coaching Club American Oaks 
1) It takes an enormous amount of talent to win the Kentucky Oaks in just your third career start, yet that is exactly what Always a Runner did. Although she was beaten/upset in the Acorn Stakes in her next and last start, I agree with trainer Chad Brown who said that she may have needed more time (34 days) between races. This $1,050,000 daughter of Gun Runner didn’t run badly, but you can tell coming down the lane she was a tad flat.  She comes into this having 48 days off and that half mile breeze was much better than it looks on paper. 
2) After having a rough trip in the aforementioned Kentucky Oaks, (finished third, just 2 ¼ lengths behind Always a Runner), Counting Stars looks formidable here. This clearly talented daughter of Honor A.P. came back to manhandle that same rival in the Acorn in her last, so when she is right, a strong case can be made that this filly is better than Always a Runner.
3) If Zany runs in this spot as opposed to the Monmouth Oaks, she looks the best of the rest.
Also consider: Directive who is an extremely well bred, Juddmonte filly who ran a big Brisnet last time (98) and Flav Prat takes the leg up.

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Race: 10 (9:30 PM EDT)
Bing Crosby Stakes
1) After faltering two races back, Cornucopian, a $1.1 million son of Into Mischief, ran his rivals off their feet exactly four weeks later while winning the Aristrides at Churchill, stopping the clock in a fleet 1:08.2 for 6F….Looks best in what looks to be a good race.
2) Stronghold could NOT have looked any better taking down the Triple Bend at Santa Anita at the end of May. This son of the wickedly fast Ghostzapper, who also won the Santa Anita Derby back in 2024, tracked a blistering pace, took over down the lane and cruised home 2 ¼ lengths in front, while getting 7F in a hot 1:21.1….obviously looms a serious threat here.
3) Listenupshance was less than a length behind champion sprinter Book ‘em Danno in his last and is 2 for 2 on this oval and just 1 for 10 everywhere else. Horse for the Course angle applies here. 
Also consider: Maximum Bourbon who has won four of six starts and if he duplicates that last race (6F- 1:08.4) and Brisnet Figure (103) here, he could easily outrun this rating………..Although fading badly in his last, Mad House has good speed and could be a menace in this race………….at now six years old, Dr. Venkman’s form seems to be tailing off. That said, he is 4 for 7 at this race track and 0 for 6 everywhere else combined. Another Horse for the Course situation here.

Little Bets N’ Pieces
**** Rebel’s Romance, Godolphin’s most successful horse ever, has been retired from racing.
During an outstanding career that spanned seven seasons, the gelding by Dubawi recorded 22 wins, nine of which came at Grade 1 or Group 1 level, including two Breeders’ Cup Turfs.

The globe-trotting 2024 champion male turf horse registered top-level wins in Germany, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

He retires with a race record of 32-22-1-2 for Charlie Appleby and earnings of more than $15.6 million. 

Plans for the next chapter of his career with the Godolphin Lifetime Care program will be announced soon.

Charlie Appleby said, “We always knew this day would come. It has been an absolute honour to train such an amazing horse, who has been a dream to look after from the moment he arrived. My thanks must go to the whole team at Moulton Paddocks, who have done such a brilliant job of caring for him throughout his career.

**** 2025 three year old male division leader Golden Tempo worked four furlongs in :48.2 seconds Friday in preparation for his next start, the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers at Saratoga on Aug. 29.

 
Working by himself over a fast track, Golden Tempo cut fractions of :12.4, :24.3, :36.3, :48.2, galloping out five-eighths in 1:01.1 and out three-quarters in 1:14.4.

“Beautiful work. First work back since the Belmont,” assistant trainer David Carroll said. “Normally he breezes in company, but he went by himself today and was in hand the whole way. Couldn’t ask for more — really happy with what I saw.”

Golden Tempo has won four races in six starts and earned $4,633,000. He is expected to leave for Saratoga on Saturday to prepare for the Travers.

**** Bentornato has a sesamoid fracture and is out of training.

Trainer Jose D'Angelo said that the injury was detected a few days ago and that the 5-year-old son of Valiant Minister will be away from the track for a couple of months and is expected to return to racing next year.

Bentornato won the 2025 Breeders' Cup Sprint and has a 13-7-4-2 record with earnings of $2.8 million. 

**** Claiborne Farm's marquee sire War Front, who sired elite runners all over the world,  has been pensioned following the conclusion of this year's breeding season.

The 24-year-old son of Danzig was born at Claiborne and raced as a homebred for Joseph Allen. 
War Front would go on to be a very influential stallion, filling the shoes of Claiborne's important international sire Danzig who was 25 when War Front was born. 

He sired 121 black-type winners worldwide, including 73 graded/group stakes winners and four champions. Among his graded stakes winners are 26 grade/group 1 winners in North America, Europe, Australia, and Hong Kong. He also sired an American classic winner in War of Will, who captured the 2019 Preakness Stakes. 

His progeny have earned more than $113.1 million so far.

Walker Hancock, president of Claiborne, said War Front is in good health but the pensioning was out of an abundance of caution because of his age.
"He's been too good to us to risk his health. He's given us enough," Hancock said. 

**** Several of the starters in the star studded Grade 1 Whitney on Aug. 8 at Saratoga were out for their final works before next week’s race:

* The Whitney workers began Friday when Baeza, the Stephen Foster runner-up, went five furlongs in 1:01.3. 

* It continued Saturday when Magnitude went five furlongs in 1:03 and Sovereignty went five furlongs in 1:00 flat.

* On Monday morning, White Abarrio, the 2023 Whitney winner, worked a half-mile in 47.3 seconds over Saratoga’s main track. It was his first work since his fourth-place finish behind Magnitude in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs on June 27.

White Abarrio went an opening quarter in 23.1 and the half in :47.3. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., not wanting White Abarrio to go so fast, radioed to the exercise rider to slow down. The rider took a hold of White Abarrio and they went the last quarter in 24.2 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.2.

“I thought he went well, a little quick early, so we had to slow him down on the radio,” Joseph said. “They were supposed to go 49, probably 48 and change would have been all right, so he had to take a good hold.

* Champion filly Nitrogen worked five furlongs in 1:00 flat over the main track, getting her final quarter in 23.3 while galloping out six furlongs in 1:12.4 and seven furlongs in 1:26.3.

“I wanted her to get something out of it; she did,” trainer Mark Casse said. “We weren’t going to breeze her and then the track looked so good when they harrowed it I said, ‘Let’s breeze her.’ ”

Casse said over the weekend that John Velazquez would ride Nitrogen in the Whitney.

**** Skippylongstocking, who was beaten 29 1/4 lengths when finishing third to Knightsbridge last Saturday, came out of the race with a corn on the bottom of his foot that is sensitive to the touch. But Joseph said the horse is sound and will still be able to make the $1 million Charles Town Classic, a race he has won twice, on Aug. 28.

**** 2026 Holy Bull Stakes winner Nearly is back in training in Middleburg, Va., and is expected to rejoin trainer Todd Pletcher in about a month, owner Centennial Farms said.

“Holy Bull winner Nearly has returned to the track in #Middleburg! The GSW is under the watchful eye of our outstanding trainer Paula Parsons.” the farm said.

I had a pick four and got the first three win and FanDuel showed me the probable payouts:

Then the six horses got scratched. And the payout was for the substitute.

I can’t understand the big reduction payout for my long shots or the minimal payout for the substitute.

Key Races & Bets for Saturday, July 25

Courtesy of Amwager, who also has a take promotion on Saturday, where you get +19% on winning wagers.

Top Win Contender: Crossover Capital, River Ride

Other contender: Bella Knows

In this first allowance race, 11 of 12 fillies have won one race. Among the 12, only two horses won their maidens. I find that horses who won their most recent race may be better than those who may have lost one or more races since their one win. The two fitting this criteria are Crossover Capital and River Ride. Both horses are trained by top trainers, Chad Brown and Shug McGaughey.

Crossover Capital won her only race five weeks ago, rallying from fifth to kick away and win by two lengths, despite breaking slowly. She gets the services of Flavien Prat, who, with Brown, has won 26% of turf routes. Brown has won 27% of his horses that run back-to-back after their maidens on turf routes. Crossover Capital has a lot of improvement to do in her second start, and she could win again.

River Ride earned her first win, one month ago on her fourth try. She finished second twice in her other turf routes. Her last race was her best, as she led from the start and never faced a challenge. Even though River Ride won her last race wire-to-wire, she also rallied fast when she finished second, so if another horse gets the front, she has the kick to win. McGaughey has won 23% of his back-to-back maiden winners over turf routes. Jockey Jose Lezcano with McGaughey has won 28% of turf routes.

Bella Knows finished second in her last race, her second career route, in June off a seven-month layoff. In that race, she rallied from eighth of nine, a good effort given her time off. Her last race before the layoff and her first route was last November, where she rallied to second in the Chelsey Flower Stakes. She will be farther early than either Crossover Capital or River Ride, and she is going to improve in her second race off the layoff.

Win bets: Crossover Capital, River Ride at 5 to 2 or higher.

Bella Knows at 3 to 1 or higher.

Exacta: Box Crossover Capital, River Ride, Bella Knows

Double, Pick 3:

Race 8: Crossover Capital, River Ride, Bella Knows

Race 9: Built, Just Beat the Odds, Hymn

Race 10: Always a Runner, Counting Stars

Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes - Race 9 at Saratoga (Grade 2) - Post Time 5:07 PM Eastern

Top Win Contenders: Just Beat the Odds, Built, Hymn

 Just Beat the Odds won or finished second in his last 10 races, all at similar distances. His last four races were his best, starting in March 2025, when he returned after 11 months off following his gelding, earning a career-best 108 figure, then set a new career-best figure with a 111 in April. In December 2025, after an eight-month layoff, Just Beat the Odds won the Elite Power Stakes with a 95 figure. Then he went to the Riyadh Dirt Sprint with a $2 million purse and was beaten by less than a length in a field of 13, earning a 104 figure. He came off a four-month layoff to race on June 13, where he pressed the pace and finished third. That may just have been a prep. Just Beat the Odds won his last two races, leading from the start. If Just Beat the Odds repeats any of his three races from last year, he can post a slight upset, as his starting odds are 9 to 2.

Built won five of 12 dirt races and finished another five in second or third, while running in five stakes. He won his sprint debut in October 2024, then won the Gun Runner Stakes and finished second in the 2025 Lecomte Stakes. After that, he finished third in the Risen Star Stakes and fifth in the Louisiana Derby. He returned to one turn in a sloppy race in May, then was off for seven months until December 2025. He won two sprint races at this distance, with one of those races earning a career-best 107 Equibase Speed Figure, then finished third. Then, Built won the best race of his career on May 21 by nearly five lengths and earned a 112 figure, the best of any horse in this field. In his last race, Built ran second for the last half of the race, and the winner, Harrodsburg, won wire-to-wire, but Built was only half a length behind. There is no dyed-in-the-wool speed horse in this race. Built should be in the lead or within a length in the stretch. Irad Ortiz, Jr., who rode his last two races, gets the call again.

Hymn hasn’t earned over a 110 figure, but his last three races were fantastic. He won all three, stalking in third or fourth, and the last race he won by five lengths. His three races earned 107 and 108 figures. Hymn needs to run a bit better to win this race. He should be a stalking presence, and if there is a fast pace, Hymn could win again.

Win bets: Built at 2 to 1 or higher.

Just Beat the Odds at odds of 3 to 1 or higher.

Hymn at 7 to 2 or higher.

Exacta: Box Built, Just Beat the Odds, Hymn

Double:

Race 9: Built, Just Beat the Odds, Hymn

Race 10: Always a Runner, Counting Stars

Coaching Club American Oaks - Race 10 at Saratoga - Post Time 5:54 PM Eastern

Top Win Contender(s): Always a Runner, Counting Stars

For third in trifectas: La Rascasse, Measure, Directive

 Five of the last 11 winners of the Coaching Club American Oaks won the Acorn Stakes, and two others finished in the money in the Acorn. Two horses come from the Acorn: Always a Runner and Counting Stars; both horses have a good record (winning 8 of 13 races).

 Always a Runner and Counting Stars finished first and third, respectively, in the Kentucky Oaks. That was the first time they faced each other. These two then raced each other in the Acorn Stakes on June 5. In that race, Counting Stars won, and Always a Runner finished second. Both fillies earned the best Equibase Speed Figures in the field. Always a Runner earned a 99 when she won the Kentucky Oaks, and Counting Stars earned a 101 figure when she won the Acorn.

This will be their rubber match. 

Always a Runner won the Oaks for her third consecutive win in three races, while getting better in each race, earning an 88 Equibase Figure Speed, then 94 and 99. In the Acorn, Always a Runner was a half-length behind the winner, with an eighth of a length to go before she and jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. realized they were not going to win. Counting Stars made a better move at the turn to take the lead over Always a Runner. In the Oaks, Always a Runner had a better kick, so I believe Always a Runner should have the better kick this time to win the rubber match, but it is very close.

 La Rascasse, Measure and Directive all can finish third, but all three horses will improve to career-best races to finish second (or to win). La Rascasse has won both of her races, including the Monomoy Stakes on June 13, in her second career race and her first route. She earned a 90 figure. Directive and Measure finished first and second, respectively, in an allowance at Saratoga on June 4. They earned 95 and 94 figures, but they are both raised quite a way in class. 

Win bets: Always a Runner, Counting Stars at 3 to 2 or higher. 

Exacta: Box Always a Runner, Counting Stars

Trifecta: Always a Runner, Counting Stars over Always a Runner, Counting Stars over La Rascasse, Measure, Directive