Several leading jockeys, i.e., the Ortiz brothers, Flavien Prat and Frankie Dettori, will not be riding at Saratoga today, having fled the green grass of home for a more lucrative sandy card at Monmouth Park on the New Jersey shore

Race 1 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHTS for 2YOs going 1 1/16-mile on turf

#3 CLEVER AGAIN (7-2 morning line), $500K daughter of Triple Crown-winning sire American Pharoah, from the barn of all-time winningest trainer Steve Asmussen. He’s hired his one-time go-to jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. to ride. Clever move.

Race 2 (1:07 p.m. ET/10:07 a.m. PT) — $40K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 6 furlongs

To seal the Daily Double deal #1 STARSHIP DEFIANT & #1A SELF ISOLATION (7-5 morning line) from the Dave Jacobson stable. Luis Rivera Jr. and Ramon Vasquez, respectively, named to ride.

Race 3 (1:40 p.m. ET/10:40 a.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHTS for 3YO & up going 5 ½ furlongs on turf

Young, promising rider Katie Davis is key to victory for #4 HE HAS IT ALL (3-1 morning line). Loyal trainer Ray Handal sticks with up-and-coming Katie Davis in spite of five earlier efforts at breaking maiden.

Race 5 (2:46 p.m. ET/11:46 a.m. PT) — $35K CLAIMING, 3YO & up going 7 furlongs

#8 BOBBY THE TANK (9-2 morning line). Looks as if Linda Rice is giving up on this slowpoke by taking a big class drop, yet hiring hot Tyler Gaffalione to ride. Best case: He wins (money to Rice), but she loses him in claim box. Bye, bye Bobby.

Race 6 (3:20 p.m. ET/12:20 p.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf

I first became acquainted with up-and-coming trainer Whit Beckman as he guided Honor Marie on the Triple Crown trail. I think he’s a future star and I’ll take his recently claimed filly #5 GIRLS WEEKEND (4-1 morning line) to repeat. Ricardo Santana Jr. rides.

Race 9 (5:04 p.m. ET/2:04 p.m. PT) —$120 ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 1 ⅛-mile on turf

#6 CASH EQUITY (8-1 morning line) to spring upset vs. deep field of veteran campaigners for trainer-jockey combo of Joseph-Gaffalione. Cash only.

Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes, Del Mar, Race #9
Let’s go from coast to coast and head out to Del Mar for their feature on the card, which sports a full field of three-year-old fillies heading to the post. I’m extremely interested in what #6 Iscreamuscream will show in her first stakes race. She is a perfect two two-for-two on the track, showing a devastating kick in both wins. Those were both in turf sprints, so she does have to go two turns for the first time, but the breeding is solid both top and bottom to handle it. If she holds anywhere near her morning line of 3-1, she is worth a win bet.

#1 Loterie took five tries to break her maiden, but that is slightly misleading. She has been in the top 3 in every start and was the favorite over this track and distance last year in a stakes race. She is 10-1 today for top connections. If she is able to win, it’s unlikely we will see that price on her again in 2024. The favorite will be undefeated

#10 Medoro. You’ve got to respect what she has done on the track with three stakes wins already to her name, but if you are going to beat her, today is the day. She’s coming off a four-month layoff, and the run to the first turn is quick, going a mile at Del Mar. It’s unlikely she will be able to save ground unless she drops further back than normal. At 8/5, that’s enough reason for me to try to beat her here.

#9 Zona Verde is one of the more experienced horses with eleven races under her belt including a stakes win. She is going to need to improve to compete for the top spot, but has a very good chance of finishing in the top 4.

Bobby the Tank wire to wire Race 5