Saratoga offers one of the strongest cards of the week with competitive races from start to finish. Several races feature deep, evenly matched fields where identifying the right pace scenario could be the difference between cashing tickets and chasing favorites that may be vulnerable.
After connecting with back-to-back Best Bets, Terry looks to make it three straight while Rick’s Smart Sheets continue searching for hidden pace advantages, Total Pace leaders and value horses that the public may overlook.
Today’s card is built around patience and discipline. Rather than forcing action in every race, the focus is on recognizing the horses that fit today’s projected race shape and structuring wagers that maximize value.
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Race 1
Terry’s Picks
Selections
6 – Famous Figure – Won his debut race; Has a high % winning trainer and jockey.
3 – Cyber Ninja – Won 2 of last 4; fastest Best Turf Speed today; strong trainer/jockey stats.
1 – Mr Percy – In the money 2 of last 3; strong trainer/jockey stats.
Longshot
2 – Morning March – Won the last race; Has a high % winning trainer and jockey.
Alternates
7 – Lord Flintshire
8 – Vintage Year
Rick’s Picks
1 – MR PERCY
6 – FAMOUS FIGURE
3 – CYBER NINJA
8 – VINTAGE YEAR
No suggested wager.
Race 2
Terry’s Picks
4 – Irish Goodbye – Finished 2nd in all three career starts; fastest Best Dirt Speed today; strong trainer/jockey stats.
2 – Term Premium – Ran 2nd in only start; trainer wins 29% with second route starters; strong connections.
6 – In Front Runner – Switches to a high-percentage jockey; Highest last race speed rating.
Longshot
7 – Tuning In – First-time starter from a productive female family with two consecutive bullet workouts.
Alternates
3 – Bubster
Suggested Wager
$0.50 Pick 4
4,5,6,9 / 1 / 1,2,3,4 / 2,4,5,6,7,8
Cost: $48
Rick’s Picks
6 – IN FRONT RUNNER – Strong second-race parability.
2 – TERM PREMIUM – Second-best second-race parability.
4 – IRISH GOODBYE – Brad Cox runner that showed stakes-quality late pace in debut.
7 – TUNING IN – First-time starter with strong works.
Suggested Wager
$1 Pick 3
2,6,7 / 5,6 / 1,2,5,9
Race 3
Terry’s Picks
6 – Lucky Dude – Won five of last eight starts; strong trainer and jockey combination.
9 – Princip – Won last start; retains high-percentage rider.
5 – Tizmarkus – Runner-up against tougher company before today’s class drop.
Longshot
4 – Kunshan Bridge – Won last out at Aqueduct; top distance figure; tied for fastest dirt speed.
Alternates
3 – Sin Nombre
Suggested Wager
$20 Win – #6 Lucky Dude
$10 Exacta Box – 6 / 8
$10 Exacta – 6 / 2,7,8
$5 Exacta Box – 2,6,8
Rick’s Picks
6 – LUCKY DUDE – Top TOTAL PACE and C-ZONE; undefeated in eight starts at the distance.
5 – TIZMARKUS – Top PAR+ figure and Smart Sheets favorite with upside.
9 – PRINCIP – Lone class dropper after winning his only Saratoga start.
7 – SCREAMING UNCLE – Lone early speed could prove dangerous.
Suggested Wager
$0.50 Pick 4
5,6,7,9 / 1,5,9 / 2,3,6,12 / 4,6
Race 4
Terry’s Picks
Selections
1 – Arabian Power – Ran second in his last start; the rail has been winning at a 46% clip; strong trainer and jockey combination.
9 – Franklin Delano – Drops in class today; trainer wins 24% moving horses from Maiden Special Weight to Maiden Claiming; high-percentage rider aboard.
6 – Chester Boy – Comes from a high-percentage trainer and jockey combination and has the right profile to improve.
Longshot
2 – Alghero – Significant class drop and lands in a favorable spot with a strong trainer and jockey.
Alternates
7 – Mount Sopris
Suggested Wagers
$20 Win: #1 Arabian Power
$10 Exacta Box: 1 / 9
$10 Exacta: 1 / 2,6,9
$5 Exacta Box: 1,6,9
Rick’s Picks
5 – ASKED AND ANSWERED – Only “YES” horse in the race, biggest class dropper and offers the most upside.
1 – ARABIAN POWER – Draws the rail and projects as the lone early speed.
9 – FRANKLIN DELANO – Better pace profile from the middle of the field with stronger early fractions; Smart Sheets favorite.
2 – ALGHERO – Brown and Prat team up on a class dropper with upside.
Suggested Wager
$5 Exacta Box: 5 / 1,2,7,9
Race 5
Terry’s Picks
Selections
4 – J’ray’s Jewel – Runner-up on dirt in her debut; turf pedigree is outstanding with three turf winners produced by the dam.
3 – All Star Leigh – First-time starter bred for grass with solid morning drills and strong connections.
1 – Beach Life – Finished third as the favorite last time; trainer wins 21% with beaten favorites and the move to turf should help.
Longshot
2 – Sweet Lisa – First-time starter bred for today’s turf sprint; dangerous connections.
Alternates
6 – I’m Not Kidding
Suggested Wagers
No suggested wager from Terry.
Rick’s Picks
12 – MC CRUISER – Preferred also-eligible if he draws in; well-bred first-time starter with plenty of upside.
3 – ALL STAR LEIGH – Second-highest rated first-time starter with the best workouts.
6 – I’M NOT KIDDING – Another well-regarded first-time starter with a bullet workout.
2 – SWEET LISA – Linda Rice and Manny Franco have been productive together.
Suggested Wager
$0.50 Trifecta Box: 2,3,6,12
Race 6
Terry’s Picks
Selections
8 – Raghba – Finished in the money in four straight starts and exits another solid runner-up effort.
4 – Ati Girl – Consistent filly who finished second against similar company last out.
6 – Pippa Adds – Tactical speed gives her an advantage and she has another strong trainer/jockey combination.
Longshot
5 – Moonlit – Hit the board in both career starts and continues to improve.
Alternates
7 – Jadorlinija
2 – Prairie Princess
Suggested Wagers
$0.50 Pick 4
2,4,5,6,7,8 / 6 / 3,5,6,7 / 1,6,9,12
Cost: $48.00
Rick’s Picks
6 – PIPPA ADDS – Lone early speed possibility with a +7 Early Speed advantage and top C-Zone.
4 – ATI GIRL – Smart Sheets favorite with a significant Total Pace advantage.
7 – JADORLINIJA – Improving runner with plenty of upside.
8 – RAGHBA – Reliable performer that fits well despite Todd Pletcher’s slow Saratoga start.
Suggested Wager
$0.50 Pick 4
4,6,7 / 2,3,7 / 3,7 / 1,3,6,7,12
Race 7
Terry’s Picks
6 – Vintage Vino – In the money in 3 of 5 starts at Saratoga; owns the top distance speed figure; strong trainer and jockey combination.
4 – Blame It On K J – Won his last start at Saratoga; high-percentage trainer and jockey.
2 – English Law – Drops in class today; earned the highest last-race speed figure; trainer wins 42% first time in for a claiming tag.
Longshot
8 – Sicilian Defense – Drops in class and has the trainer/jockey combination to surprise.
Alternates
7 – Ciro di Marzio
9 – Royal Browne
Suggested Wagers
No suggested wager from Terry.
Rick’s Picks
7 – CIRO DI MARZIO – Top Total Pace horse returning from nearly a year away with a series of sharp bullet workouts for Wesley Ward.
2 – ENGLISH LAW – TLRSP# +6; class dropper with Flavien Prat aboard. First start off the layoff is the question.
3 – BOLD LOVE – Value play that grades well across the Smart Sheets with slightly more upside than the rest.
6 – VINTAGE VINO – Tough call over several contenders; Irad Ortiz takes the mount and the horse appears in nearly every key Smart Sheets category.
Suggested Wager
$0.50 Trifecta Box: 2,3,6,7
Race 8
Terry’s Picks
5 – Gethsemane – Runner-up against similar company last out; shorter distance should help; trainer wins 30% second start after the claim; switches to a high-percentage rider.
7 – Palacios – Finished third in his latest start; strong trainer and jockey combination.
6 – Max Money – In the money in four of seven career starts; consistent performer with solid connections.
Longshot
3 – Life Is Gravy – In the money in three of four career starts with one victory; capable of stepping forward.
Alternates
1 – Into the Light
4 – Exhibition Only
Suggested Wagers
No suggested wager from Terry.
Rick’s Picks
7 – PALACIOS – Strong Smart Sheets favorite in a competitive race and the only horse with a PAR+ rating above 50.
3 – LIFE IS GRAVY – Top Total Pace horse and strongest closer in the field.
5 – GETHSEMANE – Consistent performer with a high floor and reliable recent form.
1 – INTO THE LIGHT – TLRSP# +5 and gets class relief.
Suggested Wager
No suggested wager.
Race 9
Terry’s Picks
9 – Whatta Weekend – Runner-up against similar company last out; strong trainer and jockey; proven at the distance.
12 – Island Charm – Finished third in her latest start; solid trainer and jockey combination.
6 – Roasted Reds – Trainer wins 25% with Maiden Claimers; strong rider aboard.
Longshot
1 – Intothewilderness – Irad Ortiz takes the call; blinkers are added and the trainer excels in this spot.
Alternates
7 – Zelena
3 – Valiant Diva
Suggested Wagers
No suggested wager from Terry.
Rick’s Picks
6 – ROASTED REDS – Best second-race parability figure in the field and the most proven of the lightly raced runners.
7 – ZELENA – Just one point behind the top choice in second-race parability and adds Lasix for the first time.
12 – ISLAND CHARM – Top C-Zone horse in a race that could produce a price.
1 – INTOTHETHEWILDERNESS – Top Total Pace rating (+7) and gets Irad Ortiz.
Suggested Wager
$0.50 Trifecta Box: 1,6,7,12
Terry’s Best Bet
Best Bet of the Day – Saratoga Race 4
#1 Arabian Power
Arabian Power gets the rail, enters off a strong runner-up finish, and lands in a favorable class spot with one of the strongest trainer/jockey combinations on the card. The inside post has been winning at an exceptional rate, making him Terry’s top play of the day.
