The Saratoga and Del Mar summer meets are in full swing, and two of their biggest races are set for Saturday!
First up, it's the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga, where Sovereignty makes his first start since winning the Belmont Stakes. Later in the evening, nine top-class sprinters will try to punch their ticket to the Breeders' Cup Sprint in the Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar.
These races are sure to shake up the Breeders’ Cup odds, so without further ado, here are my free betting picks for each event on Saturday, July 26.
Jim Dandy Stakes odds, prediction and best bet
- Race: Saratoga Race 10
- Post time: 5:41 p.m. ET
- TV: FOX
| Post | Horse | Track odds |  |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baeza | 3-1 | +300 | +450 |
| 2 | Sandman | 6-1 | +600 | +1100 |
| 3 | Mo Plex | 10-1 | +1000 | +1200 |
| 4 | Hill Road | 12-1 | +1200 | +1600 |
| 5 | Sovereignty | 2-5 | -250 | -250 |
Odds as of 7-25.
You don't need me to tell you that No. 5 Sovereignty (2-5, morning-line favorite) is head-and-shoulders above the current three-year-old class. He beat Journalism in both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, and all that foe has done in the interim is take the Preakness Stakes and the Haskell Stakes.
While scaling back a furlong in the Jim Dandy Stakes might not be ideal for Sovereignty, his class edge and speed figure edge over this group is clear.
No. 1 Baeza (3-1) is a logical choice for second after completing the trifecta in both the Derby and the Belmont, but one has to wonder how much the constant cross-country travel is taking out of him. Losing Flavien Prat is also a knock.
No. 3 Mo Plex (10-1) might get overlooked for second here. On paper, he projects to make the lead, and he proved he could handle the nine-furlong trip in his Ohio Derby victory last time out.
Best bet: $10 exacta 5/3, $5 trifecta 5/1,3/1,3 ($20)
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Bing Crosby Stakes odds, prediction and best bet
- Race: Del Mar Race 10
- Post time: 9:32 p.m. ET
- TV: FanDuel TV
| Post | Horse | Track odds | |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crazy Mason | 6-1 | +600 | +550 |
| 2 | Dr. Venkman | 4-1 | +400 | +550 |
| 3 | Hejazi | 7-2 | +350 | +275 |
| 4 | Smooth Cruisein | 20-1 | +2000 | +2500 |
| 5 | World Record | 3-1 | +300 | +400 |
| 6 | Roll On Big Joe | 6-1 | +600 | +500 |
| 7 | Mbagnick | 5-1 | +500 | +700 |
| 8 | Spirit of Makena | 20-1 | +2000 | +3300 |
| 9 | Lovesick Blues | 20-1 | +2000 | +1600 |
Odds as of 7-25.
No. 5 World Record (3-1, morning-line favorite) was part of a meteoric pace duel in the Grade III Aristides Stakes when last seen, but he held on valiantly to be second.
That was good for his eighth in-the-money finish in nine career starts, and it brought his career six-furlong record to 5: 2-1-2. Prat sees fit to make the cross-country trip for the call here.
No. 6 Roll On Big Joe (6-1) has four wins in his last five starts, including the Grade III Kelly's Landing last time out. He's clearly in the sharpest form of the bunch, and Julien Leparoux ships in for the call.
No. 1 Crazy Mason (6-1) is another intriguing shipper from the East Coast. He lost his most recent race (third in the Grade III True North), but was riding a three-race win streak going into that effort, highlighted by a Grade II Carter score.
Unlike the Top 2, Crazy Mason will be looking to do his best running late. There's a chance the pace melts down in the Bing Crosby, which could open the door for this deep closer. Note the recent bullet workout, too.
Best bet: $3 exacta box 1/5/6, $1 exacta box 5/6 ($20)
Road to the Breeders’ Cup Classic
| Race | Date | Track | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Cup* | February 22 | King Abdulaziz Racetrack | Forever Young |
| February Stakes* | February 23 | Tokyo | Costa Nova |
| Dubai World Cup* | April 5 | Meydan | Hit Show |
| Kentucky Derby | May 3 | Churchill Downs | Sovereignty |
| Preakness Stakes | May 17 | Pimlico | Journalism |
| Belmont Stakes | June 7 | Saratoga | Sovereignty |
| Metropolitan Handicap | June 7 | Saratoga | Raging Torrent |
| Stephen Foster Stakes* | June 28 | Churchill Downs | Mindframe |
| Haskell Stakes* | July 19 | Monmouth Park | Journalism |
| Whitney Stakes* | August 2 | Saratoga | TBD |
| Juddmonte International Stakes (turf)* | August 20 | York | TBD |
| Travers Stakes | August 24 | Saratoga | TBD |
| Pacific Classic* | August 30 | Del Mar | TBD |
| Jockey Club Gold Cup* | August 31 | Saratoga | TBD |
| Pennsylvania Derby | September 20 | Parx | TBD |
| Goodwood Stakes* | September 27 | Santa Anita Park | TBD |
| Lukas Classic | September 27 | Churchill Downs | TBD |
*denotes "Win & You're In" race for Breeders' Cup Classic.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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