The first weekend of the 2026 Saratoga Race Course meeting comes to a close Sunday with a nine-race card – remember nine race cards? – topped by the inaugural running of the Grade 1 Leo O’Brien Handicap over jumps and the Grade 3 Kelso and Harvey Pack for older horses on the grass.
Back to the 1:10 p.m. post and the 2 3/8-mile Leo O’Brien leads things off. Named for the late trainer of the legend Fourstardave and so many other Saratoga greats, the Leo O’Brien attracted a field of eight led by Grade 1 winners Fil Dor and Merry Maker. The latter makes just his third start since his Eclipse Award-winning season in 2023. Rocket One, a close second last time out in the Grade 1 Beverly R. Steinman during Belmont Week, adds depth to the group.
The 1-mile Kelso goes as the sixth race at 4:04 and features the first three from last month’s Grade 3 Poker in Pass The Hat, Capitol Hill and Zulu Kingdom. Toss in My Boy Prince, Neat, Mi Bago, Cruise The Nile and others and it’s a strong group.
The 5 ½-furlong Harvey Pack two races later closes the book on the opening weekend stakes slate. Bring Theband Home, unbeaten in three Saratoga turf starts, returns to defend his title against the likes of Twenty Six Black, Chasing Liberty, Outlaw Kid and others. Post time for the Harvey Pack is 5:12, leaving plenty of time to dash off for a Sunday dinner if you can find a spot that’s open. After the finale, of course.
Here are the picks for Sunday, July 5. We’ll be back Thursday. Good luck.
TOM LAW (5/22, -$8.74):
1-Rocket One, Fil Dor, McTigue.
2-Onebigbeautifulbill, Recurring Revenue, Music In Motion.
3-Moon Gate, Kyle’s Mom, Always Angels.
4-Holy Seven, Commitment Fund, Spherical.
5-Crowned Moment, Dynadee, Inherent Promise.
6-My Boy Prince, Pass The Hat, Zulu Kingdom.
7-Luckbeourlady, Run On States, Garden Of Grace.
8-Bring Theband Home, Twenty Six Black, Chasing Liberty.
9-Fort Thomas, Greystone, Miztertonic.
JOHN SHAPAZIAN (5/22, -$16.22):
1-Merry Maker, Rocket One, McTigue.
2-Recurring Revenue, Onebigbeautifulbill, Happy Go More.
3-Always Angles, Kyle’s Mom, Penn Street.
4-Holy Seven, Commitment Fund, Sidearm.
5-Capricious Outcome, Dynadee, Crowned Moment.
6-Zulu Kingdom, My Boy Prince, Capitol Hill.
7-Liberty’s Secret, Luckbeourlady, Liberty’s Advance.
8-Bring Theband Home, Twenty Six Black, Possiblemente.
9-Miztertonic, Fort Thomas, Complex Agenda.
CHARLES BEDARD (6/22, -$9.90):
1-Rocket One, Fil Dor, Merry Maker.
2-Bye For Now, Onebigbeautfulbill, Happy Go More.
3-Always Angels, Pens Street, Kyle’s Mom.
4-Party Animal, Sidearm, Neigh Baby.
5-Crowned Moment, Languid, Capricious Outcome.
6-Cosmic Year, Zulu Kingdom, Neat.
7-Liberty’s Advance, Luckbeourlady, Liberty’s Secret.
8-Damon’s Mound, Twenty Six Black, Acoustic Ave.
9-Le Gris, Noble Dynasty, Complex Agenda.
ROB WHITLOCK (4/22, -$13.98):
1-Rocket One, Fil Dor, St James The Great.
2-Bye For Now, Recurring Revenue, Music In Motion.
3-Kyle’s Mom, Moon Gate, Always Angels.
4-Holy Seven, Implacable, Party Animal.
5-Languid, Capricious Outcome, Crowned Moment.
6-Cosmic Year, Capitol Hill, Mi Bago.
7-Liberty’s Advance, Luckbeourlady, Liberty’s Secret.
8-Possiblemente, Twenty Six Black, We’re In Trouble.
9-Complex Agenda, Fort Thomas, Noble Dynasty.
JESSICA PAQUETTE (1/22, -$38.66):
1-Rocket One, Merry Maker, St James The Great.
2-Isthereanormalwife, Bye For Now, Onebigbeautifulbill.
3-Always Angels, Pistol Liz Ablazen, Moon Gate.
4-Holy Seven, Commitment Fund, Party Animal.
5-Dixie Hex, Harrier, Languid.
6-Maycocks Bay, Capitol Hill, Cruise The Nile.
7-Carmen Amalia, Luckbeourlady, Liberty’s Advance.
8-Possiblemente, Jean Valjean, Twenty Six Black.
9-Mizertonic, Fort Thomas, Complex Agenda.
