Free Selections: Arlington Million Day at Colonial Downs and Saratoga

It seems like summer has flown by quicker than when we were kids. Remember waiting all year, and then the days would roll past like minutes? Me too. Racing dates have a funny way of doing the same, but not to worry. There is still some red-hot racing to be enjoyed, so use this little appetizer to get your inner horseplayer hungry for action.

A quick note: these are Ed's personal selections, based on his own handicapping. They are separate from the WinningPonies E-Z Win Form picks.

Colonial Downs

Race 9: The G2 Secretariat Stakes, 1 Mile on the Turf (4:22 PM ET)

There should be a fast pace expected, so you may want to look for a runner from mid-pack or further back.

#3 Supercharger is a son of Constitution for Cherie DeVaux, with Manny Franco in the irons. He comes off two very nice turf wins at Churchill Downs and sports a fast late closing kick. His final quarter speed is better than the field's, and if the pace is honest, he will come rolling. He has been off for most of June and all of July, coming in well rested with some nice works at Keeneland. Franco is an excellent reinsman, winning 22% on the year.

Race 10: The G2 Beverly D. Stakes, 1 3/16 Miles on the Turf (5:03 PM ET)

#5 Crevalle d'Oro gets Paco Lopez for Jose D'Angelo. This daughter of Constitution is 11 for 19 in the money on the greensward and can kick it into high gear turning for home. Paco is good on big days and should be a major danger, as he is winning at a 25% clip.

Race 11: The G1 Arlington Million, 1 1/4 Miles on the Turf (5:52 PM ET)

#5 Burnham Square has B.J. Hernandez aboard for his father-in-law, Ian Wilkes. The son of Liam's Map is 5 for 5 in the money on the sod, with three wins and two runner-up spots. He has a sharp turn of late run, and B.J. is a capable reinsman who does well on marquee days. Ever since they switched him from the dirt to the turf, he has been rolling, including a big second-place finish in the G3 Nashville Derby at Kentucky Downs. He hasn't seen a two-turn 1 1/4 since the Derby in 2025. I feel the distance should fit, and Hernandez in the saddle for family connections is a winner's circle photo waiting to happen.

Saratoga

Race 6: The G2 Saratoga Special, 6 1/2 Furlongs (3:20 PM ET)

#3 Twinkle Town gets the call from Jose Ortiz for Ken McPeek. This son of Take Charge Indy won at first asking, and Team McPeek doesn't ask for all they have early on. He must have been locked and loaded going wire to wire at Churchill. He won in hand and in full command, and I'm looking for a sharp break from the gate to assume the pole position. Add in the bullet work and another sharp effort, and he looks ready to take his game to the next level.

Race 9: The G3 Lake George, 1 1/16 Miles on the Turf (5:06 PM ET)

#9 Lion Lake (IRE) has Luis Saez in the saddle for Brendan Walsh. She was a beaten favorite last out on the inner turf at Saratoga and gets another shot to turn the tables at the same distance and course. Saez is an excellent gate rider, and her ability should have her right with the leaders, settling out before making her move. She is 7 for 8 in the money on the green and fits the bill today.

Race 10: The G2 Jim Dandy, 1 1/8 Miles (5:44 PM ET)

#3 Renegade cuts back in distance from 1 1/4 for Todd Pletcher. Irad Ortiz is in the saddle and will come running late. I do see the #1 Chip Honcho grabbing the lead and trying to back the pace down. That puts the Ortiz brothers one-two at the top of the lane. Renegade lost the Kentucky Derby by a neck and was a beaten favorite in the G1 Belmont after bobbling at the start. Look for Ortiz to be in mid-flight and making a move before the three-eighths pole.

Best of luck, Ed