Saratoga & Del Mar Horse Racing Picks – Analysis & Best Bet Selections

Expert picks and analysis for Saratoga Race 7 & 8 and Del Mar Race 7 & 8. Includes top win contenders, live longshots, and key betting insights for today’s stakes races.

Saratoga Race 7

2 Salamis rallied well to be third last out on the turf at Keeneland. This Colt finished 2-lengths behind World Beater that day. World Beater would go on to win a Grade 1. This Chad Brown trainee lacks early speed but should get a swift pace upfront, setting up for his late charge. Win Contender

3 Perreti hasn’t seen race day in over 8 months but Trainer Phil Antonacci hits at a respectable rate with long layoffs. Gelding has been working well on the Saratoga training turf, clocking in with a 3/51 bullet. This Irish Bred could make some noise in here at a price. Win Contender

1 Apalta ran well in debut on the dirt here at the Spa, finishing 4th with a 90 dirt Bris speed fig. If this Colt takes to the surface switch, he’ll be a player at the wire. Major Threat

Selections 2-3-1-5

Saratoga Race 8 Ballaston Spa Stakes Grade 2

7 Ocean Club exits from a Grade 2 win north of the border at Woodbine. This gal defeated a large field of 11 that day in gate-to-wire fashion. She gets the services of the red hot Ricardo Santana Jr, who has made 7 trips to the winners circle last week. Live Longshot

3 Ozara raced close to a quick pace and rallied for a half length victory in a restricted Stakes race a month ago over this turf course here at Saratoga. Filly ran a career top number that day and any repeat of that effort puts this gal right there at the wire. Although she’s stepping up the class ladder, that number she ran is just too good to dismiss. Win Contender

2 Whiskey Decision came back strong off a long hiatus to win the Grade 3 Eatontown Stakes at Monmouth Park. There’s always a chance for a bounce off such a strong effort first off the pine. Use Underneath

Selections 7-3-2-5

Del Mar Race 7 Graduation Stakes

1 What’s a Good Name was a gate-to-wire winner in just her second career start, winning by a length on the main track here at Del Mar. With two big favorites in this race that are speedy, I like this Peter Miller trained daughter of Grazen to lay off the speed and try to run them down in the stretch drive. This is a tall task for a Filly taking on the boys, but the other 2 favorites in here will be short prices. I’ll try to beat them with this gal today. Win Contender

6 Hero Or Zero was an impressive six and a half length victory in her debut at Santa Anita. Colt ran a 96 Bris number which is ultra sharp for a 2-year old. Win contender

4 Sammy Davis is another speedy sort who won at first asking and he’s been training lights out. Win Contender

Selections 1-6-4-3

Del Mar Race 8

6 Cameron Slough is an intriguing Longshot in here who has a great chance to get her pic taken today. Mare took on much tougher last out and was no match for the competition and distance. She made a middle move but could not handle the mile a three eighths. She now drops in class and cuts back to a mile. Gal likely gets a fast pace upfront to set up her late kick. She has won at this level here at Del Mar and should be more fit second off the layoff. Live Longshot

10 Dorie Miller only sports 2 lifetime wins in 27 career starts but has finished second or third 13 times. Filly has shown a strong late foot in the turf sprints she’s been partaking in. Trainer Leonard Powell tries routing this Filly today. Powell has been successful in the past when taking a closing sprinter to a route. The pace should be hot, so if she digs the mile, I like her chances. Live Longshot

8 Tiaraqueen must be considered after winning a race versus tougher at 10-1. If she runs back to that race, she’ll be a player at the wire. Don’t ignore

Selections 6-10-8-4