Clement L. Hirsch Stakes Analysis (8-1-26)

The Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes is the feature race at Del Mar on Saturday, August 1 with a talented field of fillies and mares competing for a $400,000 purse at 1 1/16 miles on the main track.

With multiple early-pressing types entered, the fractions should be honest, creating opportunities for stalkers and late runners. Here’s a horse-by-horse look at the field.

Pace Outlook

Four horses possess enough early speed to make this an honest race from a race flow standpoint.

Simply Joking, Seismic Beauty, A Thousand Miles, and Euromia all figure to be involved during the opening stages. Whether they engage in a prolonged battle—or one horse clears without pressure—will likely determine the final outcome.

Horse-by-Horse Analysis

#1 Chasten (4-1)

Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Florent Geroux

Chasten enters this race in outstanding form after dominating a listed stakes at Delaware Park by open lengths. She has improved significantly this season, posting some of the best speed figures of her career while winning two stakes races.

Although both victories came in listed company rather than graded stakes, she previously held her own against much tougher competition when racing wide early and splitting a 10-horse field in a Grade 1 at Churchill Downs. She didn’t threaten the winner that afternoon, but she wasn’t disgraced against a deep cast.

The rail draw should allow Florent Geroux to secure a ground-saving trip behind the early leaders. If a fast pace develops, Chasten might get first run turning for home.

#2 Hey Jesse (12-1)

Trainer: Sean McCarthy
Jockey: Antonio Fresu

Hey Jesse is somewhat of a wildcard.

Most of her success has come on turf, where she’s won three races, but she did win her lone dirt start. She exits a fifth-place finish in the Possibly Perfect Stakes on grass and now returns to the main track.

Her closing style could benefit if the early leaders soften each other up, but she’ll likely need significant pace help to threaten this field.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Jim Dandy Stakes 2026 Analysis (8-1-26)

The Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday, August 1 is the final major prep race for the Grade 1 Travers Stakes. With a $500,000 purse and a compact but talented field of five three-year-olds, this year’s edition promises to be a tactical affair over 1 1/8 miles on the main track.

While the field is small, it features several accomplished stakes runners with legitimate Travers aspirations. Here’s a closer look at the contenders and how the race could unfold.

Pace Scenario

One of the biggest handicapping angles in this race is the projected pace.

There isn’t an abundance of early speed, which could give Chip Honcho a tactical advantage from the rail. After showing improved maturity in recent starts, he no longer needs the lead but has enough natural speed to establish position early. If left alone on the front end, he could prove difficult to reel in.

Commandment figures to sit just outside the leader, while Renegade is expected to settle toward the back before launching his customary late rally.

With only five horses entered, positioning will likely be every bit as important as raw talent.

Horse-by-Horse Analysis

#1 Chip Honcho (3-1)

Chip Honcho enters off a victory in the Grade 3 Ohio Derby, where he tracked the pace before finishing strongly to win by a length. His recent races suggest he’s becoming more versatile, relaxing early instead of insisting on the lead.

The inside draw should allow him to secure excellent early position, and in a race lacking abundant speed, he could control the tempo. The question is whether his Ohio Derby form translates against a stronger group of rivals.

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#2 Asked and Answered (30-1)

Asked and Answered remains a maiden after six starts and appears badly overmatched.

His speed figures fall well short of what will likely be required to compete at this level, making him the longest shot in the field.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Amsterdam Stakes 2026 Picks (7-31-26)

Video analysis of the Grade 2, $250,000 Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga (7-31-26). 

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

Glens Falls Stakes 2026 Video Analysis (7-30-26)

Video analysis of the Grade 2, $250,000 Glens Falls Stakes at Saratoga (7-30-26). 

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

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.