Saratoga Stakes Analysis for Monday (9-7-26)

Saratoga Race Course wraps up its summer meet on Monday, September 7, with two $200,000 stakes races on the card. The 10th race is the Funny Cide Stakes for New York-bred 2-year-olds going six furlongs on the main track, followed by the Gio Ponti Stakes for 3-year-olds going one mile on the turf.

Here’s a look at the key contenders in each race and their Today’s Racing Digest numbers.

Race 10 — $200,000 Funny Cide Stakes

The Funny Cide Stakes brings together a group of promising New York-bred 2-year-olds.

#1 Professor Plum (6-1)

Professor Plum earned a 99 final-time rating when rallying to win his debut at 5 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga on July 12. The runner-up from that race returned to win next time out, which gives the effort some added credibility.

Professor Plum figures to save ground behind the speed and could make a late run for a share. However, he’ll need to improve on that 99 rating to beat some of the faster horses in this field.

#2 Fullcup (2-1)

Fullcup looked impressive winning his debut at Saratoga on July 31. He earned a 114 final-time rating and a 129 pace rating, winning by more than four lengths.The biggest question this time is his inside post. In his debut, Fullcup was able to track outside before running down the competition. From post two, he’ll have to deal with a potentially different trip and may have to race closer to the rail.

If Junior Alvarado can work him into the clear, Fullcup has enough ability to be a major factor.

#3 Minefield (5-2)

Minefield is still a maiden, but he ran well enough in his debut to make him a serious contender here.

He finished second in that first start while earning a 119 final-time rating and a 134 pace rating. Those numbers put him right in the mix with the more experienced winners in this field.

Minefield has enough tactical speed to work out a good trip, and if he improves in his second start, he could turn the tables on one of the horses who has already beaten him (Scramjet).

#4 D I Wire (8-1)

D I Wire won his July 12 maiden special weight at Saratoga by more than a length. He earned a 95 final-time rating along with a 137 pace rating.

The pace figure is encouraging, but the final-time rating suggests he’ll need significant improvement to compete with the top contenders here.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Saratoga Stakes Analysis for Sunday (9-6-26)

Saratoga Race Course is heading into the final days of its summer meet, and Sunday, September 6, features three stakes races worth watching. In this analysis, I’ll take a closer look at the Grade 3 Prioress Stakes, the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes, and the Disco Partner Stakes.

Race 4 — Grade 3 Prioress Stakes

The fourth race on Sunday is the Grade 3 Prioress Stakes, a six-furlong dirt sprint for three-year-old fillies.

#1 Mythical (9-2)

Mythical should show speed from the inside post under Edgar Zayas. She has been unable to find the winner’s circle in her last three starts, all at Saratoga.

She has shown considerably better numbers in the past, however. Going back to her Gulfstream Park form, she posted final-time ratings of 131 and 132, accompanied by pace ratings of 140 and 144. If she can rediscover that form, she could be competitive from the inside.

#2 Vekoma’s Diva (12-1)

Vekoma’s Diva added blinkers last time and finished second in a six-furlong race at Saratoga. She has three starts and three top-three finishes, so there is still upside here, but this is a significantly tougher spot.

Her 116 final-time rating last time isn’t fast enough on paper to make her a major win contender.

#3 Mashallah (7-5)

Mashallah looks like one of the main horses to beat.

She has won three of four career starts, and all three victories have been impressive. She won her six-furlong debut at Keeneland before scoring back-to-back victories at Saratoga and Colonial Downs.

Her most recent victory came in a seven-furlong stakes race at Colonial Downs, where she won by 5½ lengths while earning a 126 final-time rating. Prior to that, she won at Saratoga with a 138 final-time rating.

Her pace ratings of 144 and 162 are also impressive. Manny Franco will ride for trainer Brendan Walsh.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest 

With Anticipation + Spinaway Stakes Analysis (9-5-26)

Saratoga Race Course is entering closing week, and Saturday, September 5 features two graded stakes races worth a close look. In this article, I’ll analyze the Grade 3 With Anticipation Stakes for 2-year-olds on the turf and the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes for 2-year-old fillies on the main track.

Race 2 — Grade 3 With Anticipation Stakes

The second race is the Grade 3 With Anticipation Stakes, a $225,000 event for 2-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on Saratoga’s inner turf course.

There are just five horses in the field, with Todd Pletcher sending out three of them.

The Field

1. Howard’s Hope (8-1)
Howard’s Hope comes off a nice debut victory at Saratoga, winning a 1 1/16-mile turf maiden special weight race by a length. He earned a 104 final-time rating in that August 6 victory and drew the inside post for this race. Jose Lezcano should be able to save ground while allowing him to settle off the pace.

2. Liam’s Law (5-2)
Liam’s Law earned a 90 final-time rating in his debut at 5 1/2 furlongs in the slop before improving dramatically in his second start. He wired a 1 1/16-mile turf race at Saratoga on July 12, earning a 122 final-time rating and 119 pace rating.

He could be the controlling speed in this short field. Ricardo Santana Jr. takes over, and he is 3-for-12 riding for Pletcher.

3. High Official (7-5)
Flavien Prat sticks with Todd Pletcher’s Not This Time colt after guiding him to a two-length victory in his July 26 debut. The colt tracked the pace before making his move and earned a 122 final-time rating.

He’s the morning-line favorite and certainly has the numbers to win this race.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Saratoga Stakes Video Analysis (9-4-26)

 Video analysis of the P. G. Johnson Stakes and Seeking the Ante Stakes at Saratoga (9-4-26). 

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

Bernard Baruch Stakes 2026 Video Analysis (9-3-26)

Video analysis of the $200,000 Bernard Baruch Stakes at Saratoga (9-3-26). 

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

Travers Stakes Final Analysis (8-29-26)

The 2026 Travers Stakes takes center stage at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, August 29. The Grade 1 event carries a $1.25 million purse and will send three-year-olds 1¼ miles around the main track, with a scheduled post time of 6:35 p.m. ET.

I have closely followed this crop through the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, covering 36 qualifying races. My top choices produced 13 wins, four seconds and seven thirds, and I have correctly tabbed 8 top choice winners in sophomore stakes races since the Triple Crown concluded in June.

Here is my look at the Travers field featuring Today’s Racing Digest race sheets.

2026 Travers Stakes Field

1. Emerging Market (15-1)

Trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., Emerging Market enters the Travers off a second-place finish in a Saratoga optional claiming race against older horses.

He rallied wide from last in that July 25 race, overcoming a slow pace and an outside post to finish a clear second as the beaten favorite.

His Today’s Racing Digest numbers improved in that race, including a 121 Comprehensive Performance Rating (CPR) and a 132 final-time rating. I believe that race served as a useful prep, and he should be able to save ground behind the speed from the inside post this time.

The question is whether he can return to his best form. I see him primarily as an exotic-wager possibility.

2. Leading Change (12-1)

Leading Change is one of the most intriguing horses in the field because the Travers will be only his third lifetime start.

Brad Cox trains the colt, with Manny Franco taking over in the saddle. He won his debut at seven furlongs before stepping directly into Grade 3 company in the Indiana Derby.

He was heavily bet at 1-2 in that race and fought hard to win by a neck as my top choice.

His second-start numbers included a 100 Fire Number, a 149 final-time rating and a 124 CPR. Those figures indicate significant talent, but he will have to take another step forward while stretching to 1¼ miles against considerably more experienced horses.

I like his tactical speed and inside post but his lack of experience is the major question.

3. Napoleon Solo (8-1)

Napoleon Solo, trained by Chad Summers and ridden by John Velasquez, could be the horse most likely to dictate the pace.

Velasquez has worked the horse in the mornings and takes over as his rider. Napoleon Solo is already a Grade 1 winner, having captured the Preakness Stakes earlier in the year after winning the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes as a two-year-old.

He was second in the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes last time out.

The major concern is the distance. He has gone 1 3/16 miles, but the Travers will require another sixteenth of a mile. I expect him to be aggressive early and try to establish the lead.

If he can clear the field and get a breather on the front end, he could prove difficult to catch. If he faces pressure, however, the 1¼-mile distance could expose a stamina limitation.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Waya Stakes 2026 Analysis (8-28-26)

Happy Travers Week! The Waya Stakes is the eighth race on Friday, August 28, at Saratoga Race Course. The Grade 3 event carries a $225,000 purse and is scheduled to be run at 1 3/8 miles on the turf, with a post time of 5:07 p.m. ET.

The race sheets information discussed below is provided by Today’s Racing Digest. If you’re looking for Friday’s Saratoga past performances, you can find them on the Digest Handicapping Products Page.

The Field

1. Evershed (5-1)

Evershed enters her second start off a lengthy layoff for trainer Arnaud Delacour, with Flavien Prat picking up the mount.

The four-year-old filly has seven career starts, with two wins, two seconds and a third. Her most notable Saratoga effort came in last year’s Grade 2 Saratoga Oaks, where she finished second at 1 3/16 miles on turf.

She returned from her layoff on July 19, finishing third after a wide-closing trip at 1 1/16 miles. That race produced a 125 final-time rating, and she figures to improve with a race under her belt.

Her 147 final-time rating in the Saratoga Oaks remains the best number of her career, which makes Saratoga and the longer distance particularly interesting.

2. Snipsnippitysnip (8-1)

Brendan Walsh trains Snipsnippitysnip, with Edgar Zayas named to ride.

She rallied to finish third in a 1 3/8-mile optional claiming race at Saratoga on July 19, earning a 126 final-time rating. She had previously won at the same distance with a 117 rating.

She’ll need to improve her speed figure to contend with the best of this group, but her proven ability at the distance makes her worth considering underneath.

3. Whitethorn (10-1)

Whitethorn is trained by Todd Pletcher and will have Luis Saez aboard.

The daughter of Not This Time has finished in the top three in all seven of her starts, although all seven came in maiden company. She finally broke through last time out, winning by more than four lengths at this 1 3/8-mile distance on July 26.

Blinkers were added for that race, and the equipment change appeared to help. She rallied from well off the pace while earning a 125 final-time rating.

The question is whether she can take another step forward against stakes company. She has plenty of upside, and the added distance appears to suit her.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Travers Stakes 2026 Video Analysis

 Video analysis of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga (8-29-26). 

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

Travers Stakes 2026 Video Preview (8-22-26)

The Travers is less than a week away and here is my latest video preview.

Travers Stakes hopefuls (as of 8-22-26): Baby Vino, Emerging Market, Golden Tempo, Leading Change, Napoleon Solo, Ocelli, Renegade, Sea Strike, Silent Tactic, The Puma.

Ballston Spa Stakes Analysis (8-22-26)

The Grade 2 Ballston Spa is the main appetizer on Alabama Stakes Day at Saratoga on Saturday, August 22, with a $300,000 purse on the line for fillies and mares. The race is scheduled as the 10th race, with a post time of approximately 6:07 p.m. ET, and will be contested at 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf course.

Here’s a look at the field and the top contenders.

Ballston Spa Analysis

1. Ozara (8-1)

Trainer Miguel Clement sends out Ozara, with Dylan Davis aboard.

Ozara has 18 career starts with eight wins, two seconds and two thirds. She has been particularly effective at Saratoga, winning three of four starts, and she’s also strong at this distance, with four wins from six attempts.

Her recent races haven’t been her best. She finished sixth in the Grade 1 Diana last time out over yielding turf, but a return to firm ground could help. She also won this race last year, tracking the pace from an inner post before drawing clear by 1 1/2 lengths.

If Ozara returns to her best form, she could be dangerous at her 8-1 morning-line price. Her inside post should also allow Davis to save ground.

2. Sunlit Uplands (10-1)

Sunlit Uplands is an overseas shipper with John Velazquez taking the mount.

She has four wins and three runner-up finishes from 11 career starts. Her most recent victory came in a Group 3 race in Germany on July 5, where she won by three lengths in a nine-horse field.

There aren’t comparable final time figures available for her because of her European form, making her somewhat difficult to evaluate against this group. Still, the recent Group 3 victory makes her an interesting 10-1 possibility.

3. Deep Satin (5-1)

Trained by Cherie DeVaux and ridden by Jose Ortiz, Deep Satin has three wins and four seconds from 13 starts.

She was the runner-up in last year’s Ballston Spa, when Ozara defeated her.

Deep Satin’s recent form has been disappointing, including a sixth-place finish in the De La Rose Stakes. However, she has demonstrated that she is capable of running numbers competitive with this field.

She earned a 149 final rating when finishing second in this race last year, followed by a 146 in a Grade 1 at Keeneland and a 147 in the Grade 1 Just a Game at Saratoga earlier this year.

If she can rediscover her top form, she has a legitimate chance.

4. Play With Fire (15-1)

Chad Brown trains Play With Fire, with Manny Franco scheduled to ride.

She has three runner-up finishes in three starts at Saratoga, making this a favorable venue. She was second by a neck in an optional-claiming race at Saratoga on July 9, her first start since October 2025.

That long layoff makes her second start of the season particularly interesting. Her last race earned a 131 rating, and she has previously posted figures of 132 and 137.

A forward move could put her into the picture at a very attractive 15-1.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Alabama Stakes 2026 Analysis (8-22-26)

The Alabama Stakes at Saratoga is the featured race for three-year-old fillies on Saturday, August 22. The Grade 1 event carries a $600,000 purse and will be contested at 1 1/4 miles on the main track.

After reviewing the field and the Racing Digest past-performance numbers, the race appears to revolve around Counting Stars, who enters off back-to-back Grade 1 victories. She looks like the clear horse to beat, but there are a few interesting contenders underneath her.

Alabama Stakes Field Analysis

1. Nycon (20-1)

Nycon appears to have the most work to do. She has competed in graded company in her last two starts, but she was beaten by 10 lengths and 24 lengths in those races.

She did post a couple of 120 final time ratings earlier this year at a mile, but her recent numbers dropped significantly. She’ll need a substantial improvement to compete with this field.

The inside post could allow her to save ground, but it’s difficult to envision her being around at the finish.

2. Ati Girl (10-1)

Ati Girl has been improving steadily and has already demonstrated that the 1 1/4-mile distance isn’t a problem. She finished second at that distance at Churchill Downs in April and ran well in her last two starts, including a two-length-plus victory at Saratoga on July 16.

The concern is class.

All nine of her races have been maiden special weight events, so this is a major step up against graded stakes competition. Her final time ratings have improved from 104 to 110 and then 114, but she’ll need another significant jump forward here.

3. Measure (6-1)

Measure is an intriguing contender for the underneath spots.

She finished third in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga last time out, finishing behind Counting Stars and Always a Runner. Although she was beaten by more than six lengths, she continued running through the finish and earned a 125 final time rating.

That followed a 123 rating in her previous start, showing a pattern of improvement.

Flavien Prat gets the mount, and Measure’s grinding running style should suit the 1 1/4-mile distance. She doesn’t appear fast enough to beat Counting Stars on paper, but she could be a factor in the exacta.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Fleet Indian Stakes 2026 Video Analysis (8-21-26)

Video analysis of the $200,000 Fleet Indian Stakes at Saratoga (8-21-26). 

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

New York Stallion Cab Calloway Stakes Video Picks (8-20-26)

Video analysis of the $150,000 New York Stallion Cab Calloway Stakes at Saratoga (8-20-26). 

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

Travers Stakes 2026 Preview

In this horse racing article and video, I preview the Grade 1 Travers Stakes.

The Grade 1 Travers will be held at Saratoga Race Course on 8-29-26, and it is for 3-year-olds traveling 1 1/4 miles on the main track.

Travers Stakes hopefuls (as of 8-16-26): Baby Vino, Commandment, Emerging Market, Golden Tempo, Leading Change, Napoleon Solo, Ocelli, Renegade, Sea Strike, Silent Tactic, The Puma. 

Latest Workouts:

Baby Vino – 3 works since winning the G1 Haskell in the slop. Latest move: 5f in 1:00.40 (2/8) at MTH on Aug. 15.

Commandment – Has not had a published work since finishing 2nd in the G2 Jim Dandy on Aug. 1.

Emerging Market – Clearly second best as the beaten favorite vs. older rivals at 9f at SAR July 25 (OC-80k/2x). Wide closing trip from outside post. 2 works at SAR since his last outing including a 4f breeze in 48.75 (17/54) on Aug. 15.

Golden Tempo – Got sick after the Belmont and missed an intended start in the Jim Dandy. 5 works overall and 4 moves at SAR since the Belmont including a 4f bullet in 47.46 (1/67) on Aug. 15. Out 5f in 1:00.25. 

Leading Change – 2-for-2 for Brad Cox including a stakes win in the G3 Indiana Derby July 11. 4 works at CD since the Indiana Derby including a 5f breeze in 1:00.20 (8/44) on Aug. 15. 

Napoleon Solo – G1 Preakness winner and G1 Haskell runner-up has worked twice at SAR since his last start including a 5f bullet in 58.81 (1/7) on Aug. 12. Final 1/4 in 23.24 and out 6f in 1:11.66, 7f in 1:24.44, and one mile in 1:37.94. John Velazquez was up for the impressive work. He will run next in the Travers or PA Derby.

Ocelli – The maiden did not handle a wet track in the Haskell. He has breezed 3 times at SAR since his last start including a 4f work in 48.80 (24/64) on Aug. 15. In company with stakes winning sprinter Bring the Smoke. Out 6f in 1:14 and 7f in 1:27.70.

Renegade – G2 Jim Dandy winner got back to work with a 4f breeze in 50.66 (99/114) at SAR on Aug. 14. Worked in company with Aug. 1 SAR dirt route winner Sassmaster. Galloped out 5f in 1:03.57. This was just a leg-stretching move 13-days after the Jim Dandy and he showed nice energy and has seemingly bounced out of his last start in good order.

Sea Strike – Nice win vs. restricted stakes foes in the 9f Curlin at SAR on Aug. 2. Got back on the worktab with a 4f move in 47.63 (3/64) at SAR Aug. 15. Out 5f in 1:00.55 and 6f in 1:13.31. Flavien Prat will ride him in the Travers.

Silent Tactic – Jim Dandy show finisher has not returned to the worktab since his last start on Aug. 1.

The Puma – Did not seem to care for the wet track when finishing 4th in the Haskell. Two works at SAR since his last start including a strong 5f bullet in 59.80 (1/10) on Aug. 14. He breezed under his rider Javier Castellano and got his final 1/4 in 23.89. He was out 6f in 1:12.56, 7f in 1:25.38, and a mile in 1:38.91.

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Mahony Stakes 2026 Analysis (8-16-26)

The Mahony Stakes at Saratoga is set for Sunday, August 16, with a scheduled post time of 6:06 p.m. ET. The Grade 3 event carries a $225,000 purse and is for three-year-olds dashing 5½ furlongs on the turf course.

The field features seven runners, including even-money morning-line favorite Outfielder, a stakes-winning speedster, and Intricate Spirit, who is looking to rebound from a troubled trip in his most recent start.

Here is a look at the field.

Mahony Stakes Field

1. Rebel With a Cause (8-1)

Javier Castellano takes over for trainer Lauren Robson aboard Rebel With a Cause, who has won three of five career starts and is two-for-three in turf sprints.

His most recent victory came in the My Frenchman Stakes at Monmouth on July 11. He chased the pace before winning by 1¼ lengths over Big Destroyer, who returns in this field.

Rebel With a Cause has been steadily improving according to the Today’s Racing Digest numbers. His final-time ratings have progressed from 120 to 131, 132 and 134 in his recent starts. His Fire numbers have also improved, reaching 88 in each of his last two races.

The inside post and tactical speed are positives, but he will need another step forward to defeat this group.

2. Outfielder (Even Money Favorite)

Outfielder is the horse to beat.

The Wesley Ward trainee has won four of seven starts, with John Velazquez aboard for all four victories. His best performance came in the William Walker Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 9, when he won at 5½ furlongs while pressing the pace.

That race produced an impressive 143 final-time rating and 183 pace rating from Today’s Racing Digest. Those numbers make Outfielder the fastest horse on paper in this field.

He subsequently traveled to Royal Ascot for a Group 1 event on June 19. Facing a large 22-horse field, he finished 10th, beaten just over five lengths.

If Outfielder returns to the form he showed in the William Walker, he could be very difficult to beat. Velazquez and Ward also give him a strong jockey-trainer combination.

3. Oscar’s Hope (8-1)

Oscar’s Hope is the biggest question mark in the field because he is switching from dirt to turf.

The good news is that his pedigree offers some encouragement. His sire, Twirling Candy, has been productive with turf runners, and Oscar’s Hope has already shown some ability in training on the surface. He worked four furlongs on the Saratoga turf on August 1 in 49 seconds, the second-fastest of 14 horses.

He has been consistent on dirt, finishing with four wins, three seconds and a third in 10 starts. His recent final-time ratings have included a 135, two 134s and a 138.

If he can transfer that form to turf, Oscar’s Hope could be competitive at a price.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Smart And Fancy Stakes Analysis (8-14-26)

The Smart and Fancy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on Friday, August 14, is a $200,000 turf sprint for fillies and mares going 5½ furlongs. The scheduled post time is 5:44 p.m. ET.

The race features a highly competitive group, and here is a look at the field and the top contenders.

Smart and Fancy Stakes Field

1. Me Governor (12-1)

Me Governor enters this race after finishing fourth, beaten a length, in a 5½-furlong turf race at Churchill Downs on June 28. She was claimed for $100,000 out of that race by trainer Joe Sharp, who has a solid record with horses making their first start after a claim.

She has raced nine times at 5½ furlongs, winning twice while adding a second and two thirds. Her ability to use different running styles could be an asset in a race with several horses likely to show speed. At her morning-line price, she is an interesting candidate to hit the board.

2. Delightful Flame (10-1)

Delightful Flame figures to be one of the main pace factors. She won her most recent start going wire to wire from the inside post in a six-furlong turf optional-claiming race.

Her lone turf start at Saratoga came in the Galway Stakes last summer and she chased the pace and faded to last of nine. If she can establish a comfortable lead, she could make things difficult for the closers, but that scenario seems unlikely.

3. Praying (8-1)

Praying makes a surface switch for trainer Robert Medina, moving from dirt to turf. Medina has a modest record with first-time turf starters, but the pedigree provides some encouragement. Her sire, Vekoma, has produced a respectable percentage of first-time turf runners, and her dam has produced a turf winner.

The bigger concern is current form. She has struggled in her last several starts, including Grade 1 and Grade 2 competition. She did post a solid turf workout at Saratoga on August 7, going four furlongs in 48.40 seconds, second-fastest of 24 horses. A return to her best form would make her interesting, but she has plenty to prove.

4. Le Amazonia (8-1)

Le Amazonia has been consistent, recording 11 top-two finishes in 14 starts. She has also shown an affinity for abbreviated turf sprints.

She has finished second in each of her last two starts at five furlongs on turf, and she has demonstrated the ability to rally from farther back when circumstances require it. Junior Alvarado reunites with her after guiding her to victory at Gulfstream Park earlier this year. Her versatility makes her a realistic contender to hit the board.

5. Capturing (5-1)

Capturing has finished in the top three in eight of her nine starts, including three victories, and two of those wins came at 5½ furlongs on turf.

She has also already won at Saratoga at this distance. At Keeneland in April, she tracked the pace in a 12-horse field before drawing away to win by 2¼ lengths at 5½ furlongs. She returned to Saratoga on July 10 and rallied to win a seven-horse optional-claiming race by a nose.

The distance appears to be ideal, she handles the Saratoga turf, and she should get the pace scenario she needs. Trainer Todd Pletcher’s Saratoga stable has also been showing improved form after a slow start to the meet.

The biggest question is whether Irad Ortiz Jr. will be able to ride. Ortiz has been dealing with a foot issue and his status is day-to-day.

6. Miss Vyvyanne (5-2)

Miss Vyvyanne is the most accomplished winner in the field, with 12 victories from 25 starts. She is also 6-for-7 in abbreviated turf sprints and 7-for-10 overall on turf.

She enters off a Grade 2 victory at Woodbine, where she went wire to wire at five furlongs. She has been in excellent form for much of the past year and possesses the early speed to make the lead.

The question is whether she can carry that speed an extra half-furlong. If she gets loose or establishes reasonable fractions, however, she could be extremely difficult to catch.

7. Itzel (8-1)

Itzel is another likely pace player. She set the pace before finishing second in a stakes race at Ellis Park last time out, going 5½ furlongs on yielding turf.

Her overall 2026 form is strong: five starts with two wins and three runner-up finishes. Tyler Gaffalione takes over in the saddle, and she figures to be part of the early pace battle.

8. Ratu Jawa (50-1)

Ratu Jawa faces a difficult assignment. She has just one victory from eight starts and is winless in three attempts at this distance and four starts on turf.

She did finish fourth, beaten a little more than three lengths, in her last start at 19-1 odds, but this is a substantially tougher spot. She will need to improve significantly to factor.

9. Zeitlos (2-1)

Zeitlos is the morning-line favorite, but she is still searching for her first turf victory. She has five turf starts with three runner-up finishes, including two seconds at Saratoga at this distance.

She rallied from last in a nine-horse field to finish second in last year’s Grade 3 Caress Stakes. This year, she again finished second in the Caress, which was upgraded to Grade 2 status.

Zeitlos should get plenty of pace to chase, and Jose Ortiz returns in the saddle. The concern is that she has repeatedly come close without winning on turf. She also benefited from a strong pace setup and an inside trip in her most recent race.

Check out my Smart And Fancy Stakes video at The Runaway Horse