Saturday, July 25, 2026

Stakes Saturday at Del Mar

 We take in a grade one event at that beautiful track near the Pacific Ocean for our Stakes Saturday.

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Race 10 {Bing Crosby Stakes~G1~6 Furlongs~3 year-old Up~Graded Stakes}

A reduced field of eight will go to the gate in this featured contest.

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

There is plenty of speed here to create a frothy pace. Speed numbers are very close with all but one hitting a triple-digit speed fig at least once in their last three races. Half the field has competed over the Del Mar track. Only one will attempt this sprint distance for the first time. It should be a fantastic race.

#6 Cornucopian (JJ Hernandez / Baffert) is the deserved favorite with the highest last out speed number and four super powered peaking workouts. This guy is undefeated at the distance from two starts. He has the tactical speed to adapt to the pace. It will be his first race over the Del mar track. A son of Into Mischief, he is 72% in the money from seven starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#5 Stronghold (Fresu / D'Amato) will challenge with the third highest (tie) last out speed number and four exceptionally strong workouts. This guy loves the dirt, distance, and track. Look for him to track the pace closely and strike in the stretch. A millionaire son of Ghostzapper, he is 85% in the money from fourteen starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#3 Dr. Venkman (Rispoli / Glatt) should contend holding the second highest speed number at the distance and two superb workouts. He is another that enjoys the dirt, distance, and track. Look for him to track the pace closely and spring into the stretch. Another son of Ghostzapper, he is 77% in the money from thirteen starts.

$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#1 Maximum Bourbon (Rosario / D'Amato) will be in the mix with the second highest last out speed number and four supreme peaking workouts. He should be part of the pace scenario. This lad excels over the dirt and at the distance. A son of Maximum Security, he is 83% in the money from six starts.

#7 Gold Sweep (Smith / Haran) holds the third highest speed number at the distance and one prime workout. He is another that will track the pace closely and battle in the stretch. It will be his first attempt over the Del Mar track. A son of Speightstown, he is 58% int he money from twenty-four starts.

#8 Mad House (Leon / Van Winkle) should show speed. It will be his second try over the Del Mar track. He comes in having secured three triple digit speed figs in a row. Three super speedy workouts demonstrate he is ready for the race. A son of Vekoma, he is 61% in the money from thirteen starts.

$1 Exacta Wheel ($5.00)

#6 Cornucopian  ///  #5 Stronghold,  #3 Dr. Venkman,  #1 Maximum Bourbon,  #7 Gold Sweep,  #8 Mad House.

Reverse the Wheel ($5.00)

#5,  #3,  #1,  #7,  #8  ///  #6 Cornucopian.


Best of luck with all your Stakes Saturday wagers!!!

 

Sunday, July 12, 2026

A Saratoga Superfecta Sunday

 We look in on the "Spa" for a great race at a mile on the Turf for some Superfecta Sunday action.

Saratoga Race 8 {Starter Optional Claiming~1 mile~TURF~3 year-old}

A full field of twelve will hit the green in this penultimate race on the card.

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

There is plenty of speed in this race to keep the pace hot. Speed figures are very close among this group. All have raced over Turf and at the distance. Six in the field will try the Saratoga Course for the first time. It should be one of many great races on the card.

#10 High Beta (J. Ortiz / C. Brown) is the morning line favorite with a long layoff. Connections are very good at bring a horse back from an extended layoff. This guy loves the Turf and the distance. Four consistent workouts add to his cause. He should track the pace closely and strut into the stretch. A son of Volatile, he is 100% in the money from four starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#3 Gene and Jade (Santana / Maker) will challenge with the third highest last out speed number and two superb workouts. This lad has hit the board in both of his races over the Saratoga course. He should be forwardly placed. A son of Kitten's Joy, he is 60% in the money from ten starts.

#8 Hard Circle (Gaffalione / Kantarmaci) comes to the race with the highest last out speed number at a longer route. He is another that should be forwardly placed. It will be his first start over the Saratoga course. A son of Hard Spun, he is 50% in the money from fourteen starts.

#6 Highlands Way (Prat / Pletcher) will be making his second career start. He should track the pace and close nicely into a quick one. This guy is cutting back in distance with one solid workout. It will be his first start over the Saratoga course. A son of Not This Time, he holds a 50%-win rate from those two starts.

Other Wagering Interests

#12 The Paddock Pastor (J. Rodriguez / Green) holds the second highest last out speed number and three robust workouts. A son of Get Stormy, he is 50% in the money from twenty starts.

#5 Alexis Zorba [AUS] (Carmouche / B. Brown) won his last and holds the highest speed fig at the distance. Should show speed, but can be tactical. Son of Zouster [GB], he is 60% itm from twenty-five starts.

#2 Rabaya (Zayas / Bond) has repeated his last two speed figures. Ran a longer route last out with two fine workouts. Son of Summer Front, he is 18% itm from eleven starts.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#10 High Beta  +  #3 Gene and Jade  +  #8 Hard Circle  +  #6 Highlands Way.

10 CENT Superfecta Straight ($9.00)

#10 High Beta  /  #3 Gene and Jade,  #8 Hard Circle  /  #3,  #8,  #12 The Product Pastor,  #5 Alexis Zobra [AUS],  #2 Rabaya  /  ALL.


Best of luck with all your Superfecta Sunday plays!!!

 

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Iowa Derby Day

 We take in a little evening racing in the heartland.

Prairie Meadows Race 7 {Iowa Derby~1 1/16 mile~3 year-old~Stakes}

A talented group of nine will go to the gate in this annual contest.

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

There is plenty of speed to produce a strong pace flow. Speed numbers are fairly close, making the race super competitive. Only three have competed over the Prairie Meadows track. Two will be stretching out to the distance for the first time. It should be a great after dinner race to wager and watch.

#5 Desert Gate (Geroux / Baffert) is the deserved morning line favorite posting he only triple-digit speed figure among this group. He has the tactical speed to adapt to the pace. This guy exits a longer race with the second highest (tie) last out speed number and two superb workouts. A son of Omaha Beach, he is 75% in the money from eight starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#1 The Hell We Did (R. Vazquez / Fincher) competed in the Preakness last out, finishing seventh. He has cobbled together four strong workouts in preparation. This lad should track the pace closely and spring into the stretch. A son of Authentic, he is 80% in the money from five starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#3 Maximum Effort (M. Smith / Asmussen) comes in with the third highest (tie) last out speed number and three consistent workouts. He is another that will track the pace closely and strike in the stretch. This guy loves the dirt and distance. A son of Maxfield, he is 57% in the money from seven starts.

$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#4 JJ Grey (Esquivel / McPeek) has improved his speed figs in each of his last three races. He holds the highest last out speed number and two fine workouts. This guy is another that will track the pace closely seeking his third win in a row. A son of Street Boss, he is 44% in the money from nine starts.

#6 Outmatch (E. Gonzalez / Eikleberry) will stretch out from a sprint to this distance. He has improved his speed figs in each of his last three starts. This guy will be part of the tracker pack. He shares the third highest last out speed number and one dynamite workout. A son of Volatile, he is 83% in the money from six starts.

#2 Crupper (R. Maragh / Von Hemel) also exits the Preakness in his last where he finished thirteenth. Three supreme workouts show he is well intentioned for this race. He is yet another that will track the pace closely. This guy has hit the board in all three of his starts at this distance. A son of Candy Ride [ARG], he is 72% in the money from seven starts.

$1 Exacta Wheel ($5.00)

#5 Desert Gate  ///   #1 The Hell We Did,  #3 Maximum Effort,  #4 JJ Grey,  #6 Outmatch,  #2 Crupper.

Reverse the Wheel ($5.00)

#1,  #3,  #4,  #6,  #2  ///  #5 Desert Gate.


Best of luck with all your Stakes Saturday wagers!!!