Saratoga & Del Mar Horse Racing Picks Today: Vanderbilt, CCA Oaks & Bing Crosby Best Bets

Saratoga Race 9 Alfred G Vanderbuilt Stakes Grade 2

3 Cat On Time returned from an extended layoff and won by over 2 lengths versus softer at Horseshoe Indianapolis. This David Jacobson trainee has powerful late kick and just might get the perfect fast early pace scenario in here. Gelding is a juicy 15-1 on the morning line and worth a play at that price. He makes his second start off the layoff and has been highly successful off that angle. Live Longshot 

6 Hymn has reeled off three straight victories while raising his dirt speed figure in each consecutive start. He has good tactical speed and should be sitting in the second flight today. I like this one’s chances. Win Contender 

8 Built wasn’t able to get the job done as the favorite last out in the G3 Bango at Churchill, finishing second in sloppy conditions. Colt is much tougher on a fast strip which he likely gets today. Major Player

Selections 3-6-8-1

Saratoga Race 10 Coaching Club American Oaks Grade 1

6 Always a Runner exits from a disappointing second place finish in the G1 Acorn Stakes here at the Spa. Two races back this son of Gun Runner won the prestigious Kentucky Oaks with a 103 dirt Bris speed figure. I believe this Filly bounced a bit off that stellar effort. Gal should get back to her winning ways here today. Top Pick

1 Counting Stars raely runs a bad race. Filly was last seen defeating the aforementioned in the Acorn. Hard to leave this gal off your tickets. Win Contender 

7 Directive is another Gun Runner Filly in here who has a good shot at crossing the finishing line first. She’s lightly raced and recently defeated winners at first asking. She clocked in at a 98 Bris number in just her third career start. Another move forward today puts this one right there at the wire. Major Threat 

Selections 6-1-7-3

Del Mar Race 9 Daisycutter Handicap

3 Can’t Sleep makes her second start off the bench for trainer Carla Gaines. Mare returned from a 10 month layoff and ran a strong second versus Allowance Optional 80k foes at Santa Anita. This Cal Bred has never finished worse than third in 7 career outings with 3 trips to the winners circle. I expect a move forward today off that recent effort and love the 8-1 morning line odds on this daughter of Om. Value Play of the Day

6 Amorita enters here off a 1/95 bullet work. Filly has shown she doesn’t need to be on the lead to get a victory. She likely will be tracking the pace setters today and make one big run at the top of the stretch. Win Contender 

9 Imaboutago is a sprint closer who will have something to say at the wire if there’s a pace meltdown, which could be the case today. Live Longshot 

Selections 3-6-9-2

Del Mar Race 10 Bing Crosby Stakes Grade 1

6 Cornucopian has won his last 3 of 4 races including the Grade 3 Aristides at Churchill with a 103 Bris number. This ones trainer Bob Baffert has won this 3 times and is looking for his fourth. Colt is training lights out and appears to be sitting on a huge race. Top Pick

5 Stronghold is a classy 5 year old who can definitely upset the apple cart here but I prefer this Phil D’Amato trainee at a longer distance. If they go fast early, this son of Ghostzapper could picked them all off in the stretch drive. Win Contender 

3 Dr. Vengeance must be respected as he’s 4 time winner in 7 starts over this main track here at Del Mar. Don’t Ignore 

Selections 6-5-3-1

 Today’s Most Likely Winner 

Saratoga Race 10

#6 Always a Runner (2-1)

Top Value Play of the Day 

Del Mar Race 9

#3 Can’t Sleep (8-1)

Longshot Play of the Day

Saratoga Race 9

3 Cat On Time (15-1)