Stogie Picks Monmouth Park, Saratoga and Del Mar Saturday 7/26/2025

Monmouth Park Race 6 Monmouth Oaks Grade 3

7 Fondly exits from a gate-to-wire victory in the Grade 3 Delaware Oaks. This Filly is versatile and doesn’t have to be on the lead. She’ll likely be in a stalking position today and get first run at the pace-setters. Gal was overmatched in the G1 Kentucky Oaks two races back but fits well versus her competition today. Top Pick

2 Ruth showed some nice late kick when rallying to defeat Allowance/Optional 75k N1 foes over this main track here at Monmouth Park 3 weeks ago. This daughter of Uncle Mo might get the perfect set up today as there’s plenty of early speed signed on. Live Longshot

4 Paris Lily pressed the pace last out in the Delaware Oaks and finished a weakening 4th. Filly drops 4lbs of that race and gets Monmouth Park’s leading rider Paco Lopez in the irons today. Major Threat

Selections 7-2-4-6

Saratoga Race 9 Lake George Stakes Grade 3

3 Daisy Flyer is a South Florida shipper who nearly won the G3 Herecomesthebride Stakes at a whopping 86-1. Filly rallied from last place to finish 3rd by just a neck. The turf speed fig this gal ran that day makes her more than competitive in here. If she repeats that effort here, she’ll be a player at the wire. Live Longshot

10 Play With Fire makes her second in the Chad Brown barn. Brown hits a respectable 24% winners when newbies to his stable making their second start. Her lone attempt over this turf course here at the Spa was a solid second-place finish in the Wild Applause Stakes. A move forward today could get this gal’s pic taken. Win Contender

8 Aterradora has been facing some very salty runners of late, such as Nitrogen and Fionne. This Mike Maker trainee has run well versus the stiff competition finishing a decent 4th in both the Grade 2 Edgewood and recently the Grade 3 Regret Stakes. She fits well versus these and should outrun her 10-1 morning line. Don’t Ignore

Selections 3-10-8-1

Del Mar Race 9 Daisycutter Handicap

6 Uncorked was last seen finishing second in local Stakes at Santa Anita at 6 and a half furlongs on the turf. She cuts back to 5-furlongs today for trainer Phil D’Amato. This Mare has run well over this turf course here at Del Mar and has been training exceptionally for the last 2 months. She’ s going to have something to say at the wire. Top Pick

9 Granny Budgie was up too close to pace last out in a local Stakes at Santa Anita and had nothing left for the stretch drive. Filly sports some solid late pace figures and should make one big run at leaders. Win Contender

10 Pushiness has the early speed to take this group gate-to-wire but might be pressed early. Filly might have to work too hard for the lead coming from the 10 hole. If no one goes with this Filly, she could be gone. Major Player

Selections 6-9-10-2

Del Mar Race 10 Bing Crosby Stakes Grade 1

2 Dr.Venkman is a Del Mar win machine, winning 3 of 4 here which includes a Grade 2 victory in the San Diego Handicap. Gelding is making his third start of the form cycle and the work tab looks tight. I love this ones chances today. Win Contender

1 Crazy Mason is a closer whose late pace numbers are off the charts. He’ll need work out a trip from the hole. This guys got a tremendous late turn of foot and likely gets an ideal fast early pace upfront to set up his potent late kick. He’s a Grade 2 winner and enters here off a 1/98 bullet. Win Contender

6 Roll on Big Joe must be considered as this Bobby Hess trainee has won 4 of 5 races here in 2025. He was last seen winning the Grade 3 Kelly’s Landing at Churchill. This Gelding has finished either first or second 13 times in 18 lifetime starts. Major Threat

Selections 2-1-6-5