Monthly Archives: July 2026

July 3rd, 2026 Free Picks & Plays

Since the launch of this site ten years ago, our statistics have remained consistent. The race winner is in the top three selections 65% of the time, 16,538/25,572 and the top choice first or second 46% of the time, 11,789/25,572. The algorithm is very good at zeroing in on live runners with regularity. You will often find the triple and super in our picks.

*Middle Pick 5 for us at Churchill Downs last Saturday…$427.13 on a $121.50 ticket…

*Pick 6 for us at Aqueduct last Saturday…$1,174.08 on a $144 ticket…

*Friday’s Full Card Saratoga Picks/Plays below…

Saratoga Selections

Race 1: Strength Variable:

#5 Pretty Boy Miah 6-1 34 3rd $4.56
#4 Fact 5-2 33
#7 Copious 6-1 32
#6 Founders 3-1 31

Race 2:

#5 Timbertop 3-1 19
#9 Rockabye 4-1 19 2nd $4.52
#8 Bourbon Madness 20-1 18
#3 Charlotte’s Beach 7-2 18 4th

Race 3:

#3 Anyway 5-2 32 1st $5.34
#1 Mo for the King 8-5 31 3rd $2.10
#5 Blue Roof Beau 4-1 30 scratched
#7 The Toy Cannon 6-1 29

Race 4:

#8 Restless Renegade 6-1 16
#7 Mr R T 7-2 15 2nd $4.88
#5 Ryan’s Shadow 4-1 15
#3 Private Flight 5-2 14 3rd $2.98

Race 5:

#9 One More Guitar 9-2 29
#6 One Last knock 6-1 28 3rd $4.18
#1 Minute by Minute 7-2 28
#3 Paula’s a Star 4-1 27

Race 6:

#3 Prove Worthy 7-2 29
#4 Metatron’s Muse 5-2 29
#8 First Trumpet 8-1 28
#6 Petrolo 6-1 27

Race 7:

#6 Magnanimous Max 4-1 34
#3 Hit the Post 7-2 33
#1 Silver Talent 7-2 33
#7 White Smoke Rising 9-2 32

Race 8:

#11 Pillar of Beauty 8-1 30
#2 Paris Carver 12-1 29
#7 To a Flame 9-2 28
#8 Lovely Grey 4-1 28

Race 9:

#5 Washton 4-1 29
#8 Luminous Beauty 3-1 28
#4 Madeleine Swann 8-1 27
#1 Voyager 7-2 26

Race 10:

#11 Arizona Territory 5-2 31
#7 Glavine 4-1 31
#1 Siyouincanada (FR) 9-2 30
#3 Go Grey 12-1 30

Race 11:

#10 Brokealltherules 7-2 29
#5 Dividend Recap 2-1 28
#3 Salt Princess 8-1 27
#6 Pretty Lavish (IRE) 4-1 27

Saratoga Plays

Early Pick 5:

Race 1: 5,4,7,6

Race 2: 5,9,8,3

Race 3: 3,1

Race 4: 8,7,5

Race 5: 9,6,1

$.50 Ticket: $144

Early Pick 4:

Race 2: 5,9

Race 3: 3,1

Race 4: 8,7,5,3

Race 5: 9,6,1,3

$.50 Ticket: $32

Pick 5 (3-7):

Race 3: 3,1

Race 4: 8,7,5,3

Race 5: 9,6,1,3

Race 6: 3,4

Race 7: 6,3,1

$.50 Ticket: $96

Pick 4 (4-7):

Race 4: 8,7,5,3

Race 5: 9,6,1,3

Race 6: 3,4

Race 7: 6,3,1,7

$.50 Ticket: $64

Pick 5 (5-9):

Race 5: 9,6,1,3

Race 6: 3,4

Race 7: 6,3,1

Race 8: 11,2,7,8

Race 9: 5,8 *5 scratched using 8,4

$.50 Ticket: $96

Pick 6:

Race 6: 3,4

Race 7: 6,3,1

Race 8: 11,2,7,8

Race 9: 5,8 *5 scratched using 8,4

Race 10: 11

Race 11: 10,5

$1.00 Ticket: $96

Late Pick 5:

Race 7: 6,3,1,7

Race 8: 11,2,7,8

Race 9: 5,8 *5 scratched using 8,4

Race 10: 11,7,1

Race 11: 10,5

$.50 Ticket: $96

Late Pick 4:

Race 8: 11,2,7,8

Race 9: 5,8,4,1

Race 10: 11,7,1,3

Race 11: 10,5

$.50 Ticket: $64

“Strength Variable” – Is a numerical value that gets assigned to each runner, the end result of the system that I use, which evaluates the horses in as many as thirty categories per race. It gives a visual of races where there are standouts , or conversely, heats where it is very difficult to separate. The races with better quality of horses will score higher values, while lower level claimers and maiden races with limited information will be lower numbers. Top picks that eclipse the second and third choice by three, four or more points will be runners that have a higher percentage of winning. These may be races where it is easier to find a single, where as races in which the values are close , and even tied in some instances may be races to spread in.