Curlin Stakes 2026 Analysis (7-29-26)

The Curlin Stakes is the feature race at Saratoga on Wednesday, July 29, offering a $150,000 purse for 3-year-olds that have not won a graded stakes race. The field of six will travel 1 1/8 miles on the main track.

Race Overview

• Race: Curlin Stakes (Race 6)
• Track: Saratoga
• Distance: 1 1/8 miles
• Surface: Dirt
• Purse: $150,000
• Post Time: 4:05 p.m. ET

Projected Pace

Gulfy appears to be the main speed horse.

Blackout Time and Zihnal should settle into stalking positions, while Chief Wallabee is expected to enjoy a tactical trip just outside the leaders. With only six horses entered, early position and trip could prove especially important.

The projected pace scenario seems to favor horses with early-pressing speed rather than deep closers.

Horse-by-Horse Analysis

#1 Blackout Time (3-1)

Blackout Time enters off a dominant six-length victory in an allowance race at Churchill Downs. That performance represented a significant rebound after disappointing efforts earlier this season in the Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby.

The big question is whether that effort was aided by several favorable factors, including a wet track, the addition of Lasix, and class relief. Earlier in his career, he proved he belonged with quality company by finishing second in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity, so the talent is there. If he repeats his most recent speed figure, he’ll be a serious contender.

#2 Gulfy (12-1)

Gulfy projects as the likely pace setter. His forward running style might allow him to carve out the early fractions in a race that lacks abundant early speed.

The concern is whether he can finish strongly enough. While his pace figures are competitive, his recent final time ratings fall short of what will likely be required to defeat the top contenders. He could prove dangerous if left alone on the lead but appears more likely to be running for a minor award.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Eddie Read Stakes 2026 Analysis (7-26-26)

The Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes is the feature race at Del Mar on Sunday, July 26, with a $250,000 purse for three-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles on the turf course.

Race Overview

• Race: Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes
• Track: Del Mar
• Distance: 1 1/8 miles (turf)
• Purse: $250,000
• Post Time: 9:10 p.m. ET

Pace Analysis

Cabo Spirit projects as the lone confirmed front-runner and could find himself on an uncontested lead under Mike Smith.

Post time favorite Formidable Man can be placed anywhere and figures to chase moderate fractions.

Mondego is capable of working out a forwardly placed trip from an inner post.

Horse-by-Horse Analysis

#1 Astronomer (20-1)

Astronomer has not won a race since the Golden Mile at Del Mar in 2021 and his winless streak stands at 20 races.

He is capable of getting into a forward position from the inside post but he probably won’t be around at the end.

#2 Mondego (8-1)

Mondego enters off a victory in the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham (May 2), and he captured the Grade 3 San Marcos in February.

Although those wins came at longer distances, his positional speed gives him a chance to make an impact if he handles the cutback.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest 

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 

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

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

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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.