Bowling Green Stakes 2026 Analysis (7-11-26)

The Grade 2 Bowling Green Stakes headlines an 11-race program at Saratoga on Saturday, July 11. The $250,000 event is scheduled for 1 3/8 miles on the inner turf course for older horses, and it shapes up as an intriguing tactical race with very little early speed.

A projected slow pace could make early positioning the key to victory. Here’s a look at the contenders.

Race Overview

• Race 10: Bowling Green Stakes
• Grade: 2
• Purse: $250,000
• Distance: 1 3/8 miles
• Surface: Inner Turf
• Post Time: 5:39 p.m. ET

With favorable weather expected, the three main-track-only entrants are unlikely to draw into the race.

Pace Scenario

The Bowling Green lacks a confirmed front-runner, making race shape especially important.

Ole Crazy Bone projects to secure a forward position from the rail and could find himself controlling the pace. If allowed to dictate moderate fractions, he may prove difficult to reel in during the stretch.

Horses relying on a late rally, such as Desvio, may not receive the pace setup they need.

Horse-by-Horse Analysis

#1 Ole Crazy Bone (5-2)

Ole Crazy Bone has been transformed since joining the Mike Maker barn. Claimed for $100,000 in June 2025, he quickly developed into a graded stakes winner by capturing the Grade 2 Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs under Saturday’s rider Flavien Prat.

His most recent start came in an optional claimer at a mile and one-sixteenth, where he finished a solid second in what appeared to be a prep for this race. Stretching back out to 1 3/8 miles should suit him perfectly.

His speed figures stack up well with this field, and his tactical running style is a major advantage in a race lacking true front-end speed. Drawing the rail should also allow Flavien Prat to secure ideal early position.

#2 Soleil Volant (12-1)

Soleil Volant offers value at double-digit odds.

He won at today’s distance earlier this season at Churchill Downs before finishing second in the Cape Henlopen Stakes after racing wide throughout. Breaking from post two should allow him to save considerably more ground this time.

His recent figures are competitive enough to make him a live contender for the exotics.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest 

Caress Stakes 2026 Analysis (7-11-26)

The Grade 2 Caress Stakes will be run at Saratoga on Saturday, July 11. It goes as Race 5 and features a competitive field of six fillies and mares sprinting 5½ furlongs on the turf for a $250,000 purse.

Below is a horse-by-horse breakdown and a look at the projected pace scenario.

Pace Outlook

The pace scenario appears straightforward.

Sunna figures to establish the early lead, while In Our Time should sit just off her flank in an ideal pressing position. Italian Soiree and Movin’ On Up are expected to track behind the leaders, while Zeitlos and Obstreperous will likely rely on late rallies.

Horse-by-Horse Analysis

#1 Zeitlos (4-1)

Zeitlos enters with solid Saratoga credentials, including a runner-up effort in last year’s Grade 3 Caress Stakes at this same distance.

Last time out, she finished sixth in the Grade 2 Chicago Stakes on dirt after rallying from off the pace. Returning to the turf might help, and from the rail she’ll likely save ground early and hope for a strong pace to set up her late kick.

#2 Movin’ On Up (9-2)

Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Movin’ On Up shortens back to a turf sprint after finishing fourth in the Grade 2 Distaff Turf Mile.

Her last sprint effort came in the Grade 2 Giant’s Causeway Stakes at Keeneland, where she rallied to finish third behind stablemate In Our Time. She is a contender if the pace develops.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest 

Indiana Derby 2026 Analysis (7-11-26)

The Grade 3 Indiana Derby headlines the Saturday card at Horseshoe Indianapolis, offering a $300,000 purse for three-year-olds competing at 1 1/16 miles.

Let’s go through the field using recent Today’s Racing Digest performances, pace scenario, and speed figures.

Pace Analysis

A few entrants appear intent on the lead, including Creole Chrome, Out of the Woods, and potentially Desert Gate if he remains in the field. All three have shown quality early speed and the projected pace could become contested through the opening stages.

That scenario may favor horses capable of sitting just behind the leaders before launching their bids in the stretch.

Contenders

Zihnal (#3)

Zihnal offers value at a projected double-digit price.

The Jonathan Thomas trainee has shown steady improvement in his maiden dirt starts and could continue progressing while saving ground from an inner post. Although this represents a significant class test, his improving main track speed figures suggest he has room to move forward.

He appears especially attractive as a longshot underneath in exotic wagers.

Our Money Man (#4)

Our Money Man has quietly developed into one of the most consistent runners in this division.

His recent performances include multiple competitive speed figures, and he has already proven he belongs against quality company. Unlike several rivals who need improvement, Our Money Man has repeatedly delivered solid efforts while racing relatively close to the pace.

His consistency makes him one of the most reliable horses in the race and a logical top three threat.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest 

Iowa Derby 2026 Video Picks at Prairie Meadows (7-11-26)

Video analysis of the $250,000 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows (7-11-26). 

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

Victory Ride Stakes 2026 Analysis (7-10-26)

The Grade 3 Victory Ride Stakes headlines the 10-race program at Saratoga on Friday, July 10. The $225,000 event is contested at 6½ furlongs on the main track for three-year-old fillies, and it goes as Race 9 with a scheduled post time of 5:40 p.m. ET.

Predicted Pace

The early pace should be honest, with several fillies capable of showing speed. Carmel Coast, Mythical, and other pace players are likely to ensure solid fractions, creating a potential opening for tactical runners like Goodall while giving closers such as Sneaky Good an opportunity if the pace becomes demanding.

Contender Analysis

#3 Carmel Coast

Carmel Coast continues to improve and returns to her preferred distance of 6½ furlongs, where she is a perfect 2-for-2.

She finished second behind Goodall in the Jersey Girl after being forced to set the pace from the rail. With a better post position this time, she may enjoy a more comfortable tactical trip and could take another step forward in her third start of the season.

#4 Sneaky Good

Sneaky Good appears well suited by the cutback in distance after competing in two turn stakes races on March 1 and June 13.

She ran well in all four attempts around one turn and would appreciate a contested pace. If the frontrunners soften each other up early, she has the closing style to capitalize late.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Haskell Stakes 2026 Preview

Video preview of the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park. 

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

Kelso Stakes 2026 Analysis at Saratoga (7-5-26)

The Grade 3 Kelso Stakes goes as Race 6 at Saratoga on Sunday, July 5. The $225,000 event is contested at one mile on the inner turf course for horses four years old and up, with a scheduled post time of 4:04 p.m. ET.

This year’s field features several familiar rivals, including horses exiting the Grade 3 Poker Stakes, making for an intriguing rematch with a potentially different pace scenario.

Pace Analysis

Several horses prefer to race on or near the lead, including Maycocks Bay, My Boy Prince, Itsallcomintogetha, and Mi Bago.

That projected pace should favor the tactical stalkers and late runners, particularly Zulu Kingdom if he returns to the running style that produced many of his biggest victories.

Rather than being committed to the front, he figures to save ground from the rail before making his move entering the stretch.

Race Overview

The morning-line favorite is Zulu Kingdom (5-2) for trainer Chad Brown with Flavien Prat aboard. A seven-time winner from 10 starts, Zulu Kingdom has been remarkably consistent throughout his career and owns a strong record at both Saratoga and the one-mile distance.

He enters this race after finishing third in the Grade 3 Poker Stakes, where he was sent to the front from the rail. While he has proven capable of winning on the lead, many of his best performances have come when tracking the pace before producing his finishing kick.

If Prat allows him to settle behind the early leaders this time, Zulu Kingdom could be in an ideal position turning for home.

Main Challengers

Pass the Hat

Pass the Hat arrives in excellent form after upsetting the Poker Stakes at 10-1. He pressed the pace before narrowly defeating stablemate Capitol Hill by a nose, with Zulu Kingdom finishing third.

His recent speed figures have improved noticeably, and his running style versatility gives jockey John Velazquez plenty of options depending on how the pace develops.

With three victories in his last four starts, Pass the Hat clearly deserves serious respect once again.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest