The racing week at Saratoga continues on Thursday afternoon with a nine-race card that kicks off at 1:10 PM eastern and is led by the $200k Birdstone at 1 3/4-miles over the main track. Here are a few horses I like most on the afternoon in New York.
Race 6:
This $130k allowance race at one-mile over the Inner Turf features the return of 2025 Belmont Oaks (G1) winner #1 Fionn. The Brad Cox trainee had an outstanding 3YO campaign that included six wins and nearly $2M in earnings. She raced once this year and it was in late January at Gulfstream Park where she finished a disappointing sixth in her first start versus older fillies and mares. Fionn has been on the sidelines since with Kentucky Downs lucrative purses likely on her mind once again after a victory over the unique configuration last month. This one-mile distance event is sharp for her unless something has changed significantly since we saw her last, so I will try to beat her given her 6-5-ML price.
I will try with stablemate #4 Ready to Jam. The daughter of More Than Ready stretches out to two-turns in her third start under the care of Cox. She has not thrived in two-turn races thus far, but has only tried going long a few times. The way this Inner Turf course can play, the likelihood that the pace will be moderate, and upgrading to jockey Manny Franco all should work to her advantage. So does her 8-1-ML offering in this compact group of six.
Play: #4 Ready to Jam (8-1 ML)
Picks: 4-3-1
Race 8: Birdstone
The aforementioned feature at the arduous 1 3/4-mile distance drew a field of eight set to contest the marathon style event given American racing standards. Trainer Bill Mott got Sovereignty back to the winner’s circle last Saturday in the Whitney (G1) and holds a strong hand here with 8-5-ML favorite #1 Parchment Party and 5-2-second choice #3 Stars and Stripes. I prefer the latter.
Stars and Stripes brought a two-race winning streak into the Suburban (G2) on the Fourth of July where he was beaten to the punch by Phileas Fogg, caught three-wide into the first turn, and outrun from there. I am willing to forgive the effort because not only was it the toughest field he ever encountered, but he also never got into the comfortable position I expect him to in this spot. Jockey Luis Saez is likely to have enough tactical speed from the gate to stalk just off likely pacesetter #2 Annexperience. This should allow him to settle into a good stride and get the jump on his main rivals. The fact he had success in his other start over this surface takes my concern away that he simply did not like the Saratoga dirt last out. Hopefully, we get the 5-2.
Play: #3 Stars and Stripes (5-2 ML)
Picks: 3-2-1
Race 9:
The finale is a MSW event for 3YOs+ at six-furlongs over the main track where I have little interest in 5-2-ML favorite #2 Criteria. The Yaupon colt has had five chances already for Chad Brown and has proven what he has at this point in his career. #10 Holy Seven is less experienced and has been far from a superstar through two starts, but had an excuse last time out when he broke sharp, battled early, and tired badly in the final furlong. The well-bred Into Mischief colt broke through the gate prior to his first race since September 12, 2025, which most horseplayers know generally does not work out well in the end. Obviously, it would have been nice to see the odds-on favorite finish with more energy, but I am willing to give the Steve Asmussen trainee a mulligan after showing some ability on debut in Kentucky in his lone juvenile run. It does not hurt that Jose Ortiz is also willing to give him another chance in the Thursday finale.
Play: #10 Holy Seven (5-1 ML)
Picks: 10-3-2
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