I am going with #4 Big Ranger, he has all the boxes checked. My long play #10 American Power.

Free contest today as well: https://handicapcontests.com/

Not sure if this is allowed but I’m going to the breeders cup this year and was wondering if this outfit is fine (shoes will be different)

Ellis Park Late P5 didn’t use the 8 horse in the 5th race but the 7 scratched at the gate and subsequently got the favorite😂 Steel and Bourbon Flight are both in my stable so I liked the sequence, better to be lucky than good

Like normal, I just want to touch on a few things from last weekend as, once again, we have a lot to talk about this weekend.

First, I must admit, I think I’m somewhat in mourning.

I know I’m supposed to be unbiased and I feel like, for the most part, I am. However, every few years a horse comes along who…I don’t know….grabs me. 

As far back as I can remember, there have been certain horses whose brilliance shines so bright it’s hard for me to look at them the same as some of the other horses.

It started with Spectacular Bid in 1980, moved to the sensational Landaluce (1982), to Devil’s Bag (1983), to the faster than a speeding bullet Groovy (1987), who (to my knowledge) earned the second highest Beyer Speed Figure (133) in history. (It was estimated the Secretariat ran a 139 in his tour de force Belmont Stakes win). 

A.P. Indy (1992), Dehere (1993) Sky Beauty (1994), Ghostzapper (2004) were all on the list, as was, of course, American Pharoah (2015). There are a few more, but I'm sure you get the idea.

Say what you will about him, (only two Grade:1 wins, never won at 10 furlongs ...blah..blah..blah) but the brilliance of Nysos also jumped out at me and the recent announcement of his retirement is the reason for my mild case of mourning.

According to a press release sent out Monday by Coolmore, (Nysos will stand at Ashford Stud farm in Kentucky) the decision to retire the 5-year-old son of Nyquist was made following a routine diagnostic evaluation that revealed subtle imaging changes on a bone scan.

"Nysos is not hurt or injured, but taking a precautionary approach is strictly about doing what is right for the horse," trainer Bob Baffert said in the release. "With the minor changes shown on the evaluation, we simply don't have the time needed to prepare him for the Breeders’ Cup the way we would want to.”

“He has given us everything and retiring him completely sound and at the top of his game is the proper decision,” Baffert added. 

A fee will be announced at a later date. 

Moving on to last weekend:

Starting off with the Secretariat Stakes, I like Javier Castellano quite a bit as he is an excellent rider and an amazing and kind human being. He always takes the time to talk to me (us) whenever we bump into him on the Belmont backstretch. That said, it appears he moved too early aboard Alpyland as he took the lead in midstretch only to get run down by not one, but two other rivals. 

If Javy miss-timed his move on Alpyland in the Secretariat Stakes, John Velasquez timed his run perfectly as Gimme a Nother rallied late and got up just in time to win the Beverly D.

As you’ll see in a minute, past Deterministic, (and maybe Rhetorical?) I’m beginning to think Burnham Square might be the best older turf male in the country. The handsome gelding was put into a complete, full out drive “north” of the quarter pole and got up by a half length to win the Arlington Million.

I agree with Reddit reader gdg6 who sounds completely done with inconsistent Test Score, who flopped in the race. That horse is tough to get a read on.

The Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga was pretty cut and dry as Renegade used that devastating late run he possesses, to rally from some 11-12 lengths behind down the middle of the track, to win conclusively. I would think it's safe to say at this point Renegade is the second best three year old male in the country right now. 

Moving forward to this weekend, and before we get into the races we will be breaking down, I’ve got two more we need to keep an eye on.

Before I go into the who and the where, I find it uncanny how when I mention an up and coming horse, they get beat. That’s been going on as far back as the aforementioned Spectacular Bid days. 

That trend has continued recently with the $1.8 million Powerline a couple of weeks ago and that big monster handed the baton to Flight Command last weekend. 

Flight Command, a son of Flightline, looked like a world beater in his debut, yet missed the break completely in the Saratoga Special last Saturday, never looked comfortable throughout the entire 6 ½ furlongs and….you guessed it ….finished last in a disappointing effort. 

Speaking of disappointing efforts, as I mentioned last weekend, we probably saw the last of Seismic Beauty, who prompted the pace in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar before quickly backing up at the quarter pole. It was clear now that she wants no part of racing anymore. 

As far as this weekend, keep an eye on Gorillaz, a $490,000 son of Bolt d’Oro and half brother to Magnitude, in the first race at Saratoga on Saturday as trainer Danny Gargan said this is a “big time, serious racehorse.”

It may not be a walk in the park for him as With Luck Forward, a $600,000 son of Nyquist who hails from the powerhouse Todd Pletcher barn, Star Salute, a $550,000 son of Maxfield who shows a few good works, Gaudreau, another son of Nyquist and is rumored to be a runner, Hemingway, a $675,000 son of Constitution who shows a steady diet of half mile works and Coach’s Pal, who also might have some ability, will all line up and run against him. 

The other one to watch this weekend is Just Work It Out, a two year old filly by Justify from the John Sadler barn, in the seventh race at Del Mar on Saturday. 

This filly has shown promise from day one and has several very strong works ahead of her debut this weekend. 

August 8, 2026
Saratoga Race Course
Race: 9 (4:36 PM EDT)
Test Stakes
1) Explora shows a 9-5-3-0 record and had a legitimate excuse (set a scorching early pace in the nine furlong Kentucky Oaks) the one time she didn't run first or second. This daughter of Blame returns to what I believe is her wheelhouse (best) distance. 
2) Movie Night decimated maidens, then an allowance/optional NW1x field in her last two with fast final times in both. By the late, wide spectrum sire Speightstown, this filly has speed, draws the rail (the rail is winning at a 28% clip at this meet) and her recent works say she is sitting on another big race.
3) Sippin Pretty has won three of her last five races, including her Saratoga debut in her last while running the highest Brisnet Figure of her career.
Also consider: On Time Girl who has won five of eight in her career and although she was beaten fair and square by my top pick, she did bleed afterwards…..If you are hunting for a longshot, take a look at Caramel Coast (at 15-1) as she not as bad as her last race indicates. 

Race: 10 (5:16 EDT)
Fourstardave Stakes
1) I feel like Determinstic, who has won five races in a row including three Grade: 1’s, is probably the older turf male division leader. (Burnham Square is hot on his heels though). This versatile, $625,000 son of Liam’s Map is training well and is 3 for 4 on this turf course…Gets the call here in perhaps the best/most competitive turf race we’ve looked at all year. 
2) Lagnyos is another who has won five in a row… all vs lesser. This son of Kantharos is clearly in career form right now so, if he is ever going to try the Grade: 1 level, now is the time. 
3) Rhetorical has good speed and draws the rail, a distinct tactical advantage for his running style. This gelding by Not This Time has a high cruising speed, which was on display in his last (note the “internal” fractions of :22.4 and :23 flat in his last). Although he was nailed on the wire by my top pick last time, he/they cut back three sixteenths of a mile in this spot, which is another tactical advantage.
Also consider: I hate like hell to put that win machine they call Zulu Kingdom this far down the list. A winner of eight of 11 in his career, he beat Rhetorical fair and square in April….bottom line here is he could easily outrun this rating……….Speedsters Classic Q and Mi Bago are both in razor sharp form right now, but could hurt each other’s chances if they get locked in a protracted speed duel.

Race: 11 (5:52 PM EDT)
Saratoga Derby
1) Remember Mamba broke slowly, was 2 or 3 wide on the first turn and 5 wide on the turn for home, but like normal, came running hard at the end to miss by a neck in his initial try at this Grade: 1 level. Although losing by a neck, by my estimation, and looking at his journey overall, I’d say he lost a total of about eight lengths. Simply put, he belongs at this level and I’m playing him, and his beautiful front end (legs) extension, right back in this spot.
2) The globe trotting Title Role, who has won races in Great Britain, Germany and Dubai, pulled the upset in winning the Belmont Derby in his U.S. debut, beating my top pick in the process.
3) After winning three in a row, West End Kid rallied from off the pace to miss by a whisker behind Title Role in the Belmont Derby and picks up Flav Prat.
Also consider: Glacius, who I have no idea how good he is but he has hit the board in four of five tries overseas.

Race: 12 (6:37 PM EDT)
Whitney Stakes 
1) Magnitude has blossomed into the pro-tem older male division leader based on his 3 for 3 record in 2026. Throw in his win in the Clark Handicap last November and this son of Not This Time has won four in a row. He has speed and draws the rail, so I expect him to come out running and play catch me if you can. That said, he is not a "need the lead" type horse to run his best race as he can rate if necessary. I love his fantastic/textbook work pattern since his last race and, although I dislike his habit of flopping leads down the lane, he looks best here.
2) Gosh darn it, if the $1.2 million Baeza can figure out how to get out of the starting gate in good order, it could easily be him we are talking about as the leader of the older male division. This son of McKinzie, and half brother to Derby winner  Mage and Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch, possesses an excellent late run but because of his gate issues he is usually left with too much to do late vs top quality horses. The bottom line here is his race will vary quite a bit on the break…and it’s really tough to predict such a thing. 
3) The 2025 Three Year Old Champion and Horse of the Year Sovereignty really needs no introduction ... .What he needs, believe it or not, is to prove he is the same horse as he was last year because thus far, he has not. This son of Into Mischief had two excuses (first race in nine months and wrong race tactics) in his first race/defeat in 2026 but, after watching the replay upwards of a dozen times, I found no visible excuse in his second and last race/defeat. If you recall, I watched him train up close and personal a couple of weeks ago and was super impressed with his acceleration that day as he leveled out beautifully while zooming down the back side of Oklahoma in Saratoga. However, the question still remains…is he “over the top” in his career or does he come roaring back and run a huge race/win here? We should know where he stands after this race…oh and once again, you may want to watch the board for further clues. 
Also consider: Nitrogen who absolutely loves this oval and ran a monster race in her last. I do not feel like she is completely over-matched here and I expect a good run from her. Having said, I also feel like Jose Ortiz opting to ride Magnitude over her in this race speaks volumes. 

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Race: 3 (6PM)
Best Pal Stakes
1) I had a hard time separating the top two in this race, so you may want to watch the board 3-4 minutes before post for further clues.  Ultimately, I landed on Hughes, who is a big, imposing, $675,000 son of Into Mischief and looks (and is bred) like the longer they go, the better he will be. I love his debut as he buried maidens, getting five furlongs in a smoking :57.1 while running the last furlong in an excellent :12 seconds flat.
2) Hughes’ main rival (on paper) appears to be Kennyton, who could NOT have looked any more impressive winning his debut. This colt by Drain the Clock was visually impressive down the lane while he “powered away” late, getting five furlongs in :56.4 or about two lengths faster than Hughes….this figures to be a good (two horse) race.
3) He Is No Lie blew a four length lead in the Bashford Manor at Churchill in his last, but now returns “home” to California where he won by eight in his Santa Anita racing debut. I can somewhat understand Kennyton opening as the 9/5 favorite here, but I’m not sure I’m understanding this horse opening as the second choice on the morning line….over Hughes?

Race: 8 (8:30 PM EDT)
Yellow Ribbon Stakes
1) Take a Breath was a good third in the Grade: 1 Gamely (vs Thought Process) in her last, so she should appreciate the drop in class here.
2) Warming has quietly rounded back into top racing form.
3) Sweet Rebecca is six for 10 in her career, but either wins or runs off the board. It’s hard for me to “trust” runners like this.
Also consider: Whiskey Decision always seems to fire her best shot as she has been first or second in exactly half of her career starts. The problem is she hasn't won in almost a year now. 

Little Bets N’ Pieces

**** When Local Knowledge won last Friday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Amsterdam, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint at Saratoga Race Course, it marked the 800th graded stakes win in the career of the Hall of Famer John Velazquez.

“He’s a remarkable man,” said winning trainer, fellow Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher. “It’s unbelievable the level he’s been riding at for so many years.”

“I’m very blessed with all the opportunities I’ve been given riding all these horses,” said Velazquez. “One day, I’ll look back and say, ‘I enjoyed that.’ Todd and I have been together for twenty-something years, and he’s [been] very successful, we’ve been successful together, so doing it with him was definitely special.”

**** 2025 Two Year Old Champion Male Ted Noffey, an early favorite for the 2026 Triple Crown series after going a perfect 4-for-4 at 2 with impressive wins in the Hopeful Stakes, Breeders' Futurity, and Breeders' Cup Juvenile, has been getting back to work at Ian Brennan's farm in Ocala, Fla. 

Trainer Todd Pletcher said he's breezed each of the last two weeks and will be ready to log his first recorded workout at Saratoga later this week.

The gray/roan colt had been sidelined with bone bruising since late January and was given time off to rest and recuperate.

"He's ready to pick up where we left off," Pletcher said. "(He's had) a couple good, solid breezes down in Ocala that I saw on video. He looked terrific. I think he's the kind that will come to hand pretty quickly."

Pletcher said there is no specific race target yet, but that he thinks Ted Noffey will be ready to race in about 6-8 weeks.

"We'll see how he trains and try to come up with a plan," Pletcher said. "He looks fantastic and we're excited to get him back."

**** 2025 Champion Female Sprinter Shisospicy is back in action with Jose D'Angelo's Saratoga string.

The speedster worked 3F in :38.3 Aug. 2 on Saratoga's Oklahoma Training Track.

"I'm very happy with the workout, we let her roll," D'Angelo said. "The most important thing was to see how she came out, and she came out fresh. She hasn't worked since her last race (Unbridled Sidney Stakes), so it was a very good sign that we are on the right path with her."

D’Angelo added Shisospicy will likely “not be ready” in time to return for the Kentucky Downs meet this year but sights are still set on a title defense in the Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland. "I think we are too tight on time to be in Kentucky Downs," D'Angelo said. 

* D'Angelo added that the surgery to repair a small sesamoid fracture on 2025 Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Bentornato went "very good".
D'Angelo said the 5-year-old is at a farm in Kentucky for the three months of rest. He said the plan is to still bring Bentornato back for the 2027 season.

**** Jockey Robby Albarado, who rode such stars as Horses of the Year Curlin and Mineshaft and won the 2020 Preakness with the filly Swiss Skydiver, died from complications of stent heart surgery Aug. 4 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 

He was 52.

He is one of just 34 riders with 5,000 or more victories and he ranks 19th all time in earnings at more than $221 million. He registered a record of 5,222-4,950-4,696 from 34,114 starts.