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

San Diego Handicap 2026 Video Picks (7-18-26)

Video analysis of the Grade 2, $300,000 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar (7-18-26). 

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

Diana Stakes 2026 Analysis at Saratoga (7-18-26)

The Grade 1 Diana Stakes returns to Saratoga on Saturday, July 18, featuring a talented field of fillies and mares competing over 1 1/8 miles on the inner turf for a $500,000 purse. As always, the race attracts some of the top turf runners in New York, and one trainer once again dominates the conversation: Chad Brown.

Chad Brown’s Remarkable Diana Record

Few trainers have owned a race the way Chad Brown has owned the Diana Stakes. Brown has won the race ten times, including victories with standout mares such as Zagora, Lady Eli, Sistercharlie, Rushing Fall, In Italian, Whitebeam, and Excellent Truth.

This year, Brown sends out four runners, giving him another strong opportunity to extend his remarkable record.

Horse-by-Horse Analysis

#1 Dynamic Pricing (6-1)

Dynamic Pricing enters off a solid second-place finish and was third in last year’s Diana for Chad Brown. She has an excellent Saratoga record with two wins and two third-place finishes in four starts.

One factor working in her favor is the possibility of rain in the forecast. She has proven she handles softer turf, including a Grade 1 victory over yielding ground. If rain softens the course, her chances improve significantly. From the rail, she should enjoy a ground-saving trip before making her late run.

#2 Cathedral (6-1)

The European invader has faced quality competition overseas and produced a respectable fourth-place finish in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf after stalking the pace.

The concern is her lack of winning punch. Despite several competitive efforts, she owns just one victory from eleven career starts. She has enough class to hit the board but must improve to earn the win. 

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Coronation Cup 2026 Analysis at Saratoga (7-18-26)

The Grade 3 Coronation Cup is the eighth race at Saratoga on Saturday, July 18. The race offers a $225,000 purse and is contested at 5½ furlongs on the turf for three-year-old fillies.

With only six runners entered (excluding the two main-track-only horses), pace will likely play a significant role in determining the outcome. Here’s my look at each contender and how I see the race unfolding.

Pace Analysis

With a compact field, early position should be especially important.

Cy Fair and Sapphire Beach appear to be the two most likely pace factors. John Velazquez is an aggressive rider and may send Cy Fair from the inside to secure the lead. However, Sapphire Beach has enough natural speed to either pressure the pace or sit comfortably just outside the leader.

That tactical advantage could prove decisive if the pace remains moderate, making life difficult for the late runners.

Quiet Street (#1)

Quiet Street began her career with back-to-back turf sprint victories, including an impressive maiden win at Saratoga where she rallied from last to first. She followed that debut effort with a stakes victory before facing tougher competition at mostly longer distances in subsequent starts.

The biggest concern is race shape. In a small field without an abundance of early speed, Quiet Street figures to settle near the back early and will need a favorable pace to set up her late kick. She also needs to improve on the speed figures she’s earned this season to return to her best form.

She has enough talent to make an impact late, but the projected pace scenario makes her a difficult horse to back on top.

Cy Fair (#2)

Cy Fair has been one of the most consistent turf sprinters in this division. Through six turf sprint starts, she owns four wins, one second, and one third while consistently earning competitive speed figures.

After winning her Saratoga debut last summer, she finished a close second in a stakes race over the same course before capping her juvenile campaign with a victory in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. She returned this season with a close third in the Limestone Stakes before capturing a Grade 3 at Churchill Downs.

John Velazquez reunites with the filly after riding her in her first two career starts. Her early-pressing speed gives Johnny V plenty of options, and from post two she could either set the pace or sit just off the leader.

She deserves plenty of respect.

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De La Rose Stakes 2026 Analysis (7-17-26)

The De La Rose Stakes headlines the Friday, July 17 card at Saratoga as Race 9, featuring a $150,000 purse for fillies and mares that have not won a graded stakes race in 2025 or 2026. The field will travel one mile on the inner turf course with a scheduled post time of 5:45 p.m. ET.

Race Overview

Salty Senorita draws the rail and projects as the likely early leader after showing the way in two of her last three starts. Horses such as And One More Time, Long Ago, and Being Betty also possess early-pressing speed and should ensure an honest tempo.

That setup could favor runners capable of sitting just behind the leaders before producing a strong late kick.

Horse-by-Horse Analysis

#1 Salty Senorita

Salty Senorita has shown early speed and nearly won the Lady Canterbury Stakes in her most recent start, finishing second by a neck. She projects as the main speed from the rail, but she’ll need to prove she belongs against a deeper and more accomplished field.

#2 Hang the Moon

A two-time Grade 2 winner in 2024, Hang the Moon enters this race after competing against tougher company in the Grade 1 Gamely. Since joining trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., she has won an optional claiming race, narrowly missed in the Sand Springs Stakes, and most recently missed third by a nose in the Grade 1 Gamely at Santa Anita.

The class relief is significant. She owns a sharp late kick, regularly finishing her races strongly, and should enjoy a ground-saving trip from post 2 under her new rider Irad Ortiz, Jr.

#3 And One More Time

The Grade 1 Natalma Stakes winner from 2024 continues to run competitive races against quality company. She captured the Plenty of Grace Stakes earlier this season before finishing a respectable fifth in the Grade 1 Just a Game after a wide trip.

She is 3-for-4 at one mile and has the tactical speed to secure favorable early position.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Haskell Stakes 2026 Video Update

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. 

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