Saturday, July 25, 2026

Coaching Club American Oaks Video Picks (7-25-26)

Video analysis of the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga (7-25-26). 

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse

Bing Crosby Stakes 2026 Analysis (7-25-26)

The Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes headlines Saturday’s card at Del Mar, serving as Race 10 with a $400,000 purse for three-year-olds and up. The six-furlong sprint has attracted a talented and evenly matched field, making it one of the most competitive races of the weekend.

Race Overview

  • Race 10: Bing Crosby Stakes (Grade 1)
  • Track: Del Mar
  • Distance: 6 furlongs
  • Purse: $400,000
  • Post Time: 9:40 p.m. ET

Pace Projection

The Bing Crosby should feature an aggressive early pace.

Maximum Bourbon, Listenupshance, Cornucopian, and Mad House all possess early speed, while Stronghold figures to settle just behind the leaders in a stalking position.

If the pace becomes contested, horses like Dr. Venkman and Moonlight could find themselves closing into a tiring field. Still, the tactical runners appear to hold the advantage.

Field Analysis

#1 Maximum Bourbon (7-2)

Maximum Bourbon enters in excellent form after an impressive victory as my top choice in the St. Matthews Stakes at Churchill Downs. His speed figures have steadily improved with each recent start, and he owns four wins from six career races.

The primary concern is the rail draw. From the inside post, he’ll likely need to leave the gate quickly to secure position against several other speed horses. While talented enough to contend, the trip could prove more difficult than it was in his most recent victory.

#2 Listenupshance (8-1)

Listenupshance has been competitive in graded company throughout the season. He finished second in the Grade 3 San Carlos behind Cornucopian before recording another solid effort in the Grade 3 True North at Saratoga.

He has enough early speed to stay involved from the outset and could be a factor if he secures a favorable stalking trip.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest 

Friday, July 24, 2026

Shuvee Stakes 2026 Analysis at Saratoga (7-24-26)

The Grade 2 Shuvee Stakes headlines Friday’s card at Saratoga, serving as Race 8 with a $250,000 purse for fillies and mares going 1 1/8 miles on the main track.

Below is a breakdown of the field and key handicapping angles.

Pace Scenario

Snowyte appears to be the most likely pacesetter from the rail, with Scottish Lassie also expected to race prominently.

Bless the Broken and Fully Subscribed should enjoy stalking trips just behind the leaders, and Eunomia is capable of working out a forwardly placed trip if she gets out of the gate in good order. The remaining runners will likely settle farther back and hope for a contested pace.

Horse-by-Horse Analysis

1. Snowyte

Snowyte has been relatively consistent throughout her career, finishing first or second in seven of her nine starts. She exits a runner-up finish in the Top Flight Stakes after tracking the pace throughout and proving clearly second best behind Scalable, and show finisher Lost Horizon was a next-out stakes winner.

She posted a sharp bullet workout at Saratoga leading into this race and projects as one of the primary pace factors from the rail. While she’ll need to improve on her most recent speed figure, she’s capable of taking this field a long way if left alone on the front end.

2. Aeolian

The lightly raced Chad Brown trainee has plenty of upside after just four career starts, but this represents a significant class test.

After being elevated to victory in an optional-claiming race last time, she’ll stretch out to her longest distance while facing graded stakes company for the first time. Her recent speed figures suggest she still has work to do before matching this field.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Del Mar Analysis & Pick 6 Carryover (7-23-26)

Del Mar’s Thursday card features eight competitive races and an attractive Pick 6 carryover beginning in Race 3. After reviewing the fields, pace scenarios, class levels, and projected speed figures, here are my race-by-race selections and betting thoughts.

Race 1 – $16,000 Claiming (5½ Furlongs)

The morning-line favorite SendIt Mo owns strong projected speed figures, but the drop from a $32,000 claim to $16,000 in just his second start for the new barn raises concerns.

Top Pick: #3 Uecker (4-1)

Uecker drops in class while switching back to dirt. His turf speed figures compare favorably with this field, and he previously ran well over the main track, finishing a close second with a competitive speed figure. If he transfers his turf form to dirt, he offers solid value.

Contenders

  • #3 Uecker
  • #2 SendIt Mo
  • #1 Joker Went Wild

Race 2 – Maiden Special Weight (5 Furlongs Turf)

Top Pick: #8 Captain Shreve (7-2)

Captain Shreve has faced tougher competition on dirt and now makes an intriguing move to the turf course. George Papaprodromou’s sophomore gelding reunites with jockey Umberto Rispoli, who guided him to a runner-up finish in his debut late last year. If he handles the surface switch, he should be a major player.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Suzie O'Cain Stakes 2026 Video Analysis (7-23-26)

Video analysis of the $200,000 Suzie O'Cain Stakes at Saratoga (7-23-26). 

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse

Saturday, July 18, 2026

Haskell Stakes 2026 Analysis (7-18-26)

The Grade 1 Haskell Stakes headlines the big 14-race Saturday card at Monmouth Park, bringing together a competitive field of seven 3-year-olds for a $1 million prize. Run at 1 1/8 miles, the Haskell has long served as one of the premier summer tests for sophomores, and this year’s edition features several accomplished stakes winners.

With the possibility of rain in the forecast, wet-track pedigrees could become an important handicapping factor. Here’s a horse-by-horse look at the field.

Pace Outlook

Napoleon Solo appears to have the tactical advantage and could control the tempo if left alone on the front end. Further Ado and Iron Honor are expected to settle just behind the leader, while Baby Vino should also be prominent early.

The Puma and Ocelli will likely make their runs from farther back, but without a contested early pace, they may have too much ground to make up in the stretch.

Horse-by-Horse Analysis

#1 Star Sweeper (30-1)

Star Sweeper faces a difficult assignment after finishing last in the Pegasus Stakes, the local prep for the Haskell. Although he previously earned a stronger speed figure in the Long Branch Stakes, his best efforts still fall short of what will likely be required to win this race.

He will need dramatic improvement against much tougher competition.

#2 Further Ado (2-1)

Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Further Ado enters as the morning line favorite.

His speed figures have alternated between standout performances and more modest efforts throughout his career. His dominant victory in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes demonstrated his top-end ability, while his most recent win in the Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes confirmed that he remains in excellent form.

The question is consistency. If he reproduces one of his best races, he is certainly capable of winning.

His pedigree also indicates he should handle a wet surface.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest