The big Saturday in the Mid-Atlantic not only includes the 1/ST BET and Xpressbet $5000 Hit Split late pick 4 on the inaugural Delaware Derby, but also a promo for Haskell Preview Day at Monmouth Park. It is simple. Just go to the promotional landing page, register, and earn 10 times 1/ST Rewards Points on a day that includes five stakes races to close the card. Here are a few horses I will be gambling on and earning my extra rewards points with.
Race 8: Pegasus
The local prep for next month’s Haskell (G1) lost the two inside horses to the Delaware Derby, which is likely to make morning line favorite #3 Garamond and even shorter price. The Uncle Mo colt is lightly raced and unexposed thus far, but his last win came against a 3-horse field that included the regressing Cornucopian. If he makes an easy lead, he could be tough, but there appears to be a little speed signed on to the Chad Brown trainee’s outside.
Hopefully this sets things up for #4 Valentinian. The regally-bred son of Into Mischief comes off an effort over the off track at Churchill Downs on Derby Day when he did not do much running, but that was forgivable. His debut was strong going two-turns at Tampa and one could certainly argue he ran as well as the top two finishers at Keeneland in April. If he gets into the race a bit more in the early stages, he should be tough to hold off late.
Play: #4 Valentinian (4-1 ML)
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Race 10: Salvator Mile (G3)
I am also hoping for a contentious pace in this 8-furlong affair over the main track where #9 Bishops Bay is likely to be a heavy favorite. On paper, he looms the one to beat, but he has underwhelmed with his wins thus far in 2025. The son of Uncle Mo has been extremely well-meant from the start, but win or lose he is going to be an underlay on the tote board.
I hope to run him down with #6 Vitality. The Ontario-bred son of Street Boss has been a better horse since he was moved from the all-weather to the dirt. He held his own against similar competition in Kentucky last fall and comes in off a career best effort off the layoff at Gulfstream Park. He should be finishing well, especially if he gets an honest pace to chase.
Play: #6 Vitality (10-1 ML)
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Race 11: Eatontown (G3)
The Salvator Mile is followed by this Grade 3 over the lawn that has been won by trainer Chad Brown the last two years. He sends two out in this year’s Eatontown, including 8-5-ML favorite #1 Maggie Go. The Argentinian-bred won 2 of her 4 turf races in her native country and is set to make her Stateside debut on Saturday. She is an understandable favorite, but has not raced in nearly a year. She is tough to trust at her likely price despite her connection’s obvious success on this day.
I prefer #2 Five Towns. The Merry Fox Stables mare did not come through for me on Derby Day, but that came against better competition in the Distaff Turf Mile (G2). Her run two-back in the Sanibel Island when caught with a much more challenging trip than the winner almost definitely wins this. Her price is hopefully twice that of Maggie Go.
Play: #2 Five Towns (3-1 ML)
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