Happy Intercontinental Day! 

Four stakes races today at the Spa headlined by the Grade II Intercontinental and Grade III Poker along with the Tremont and Astoria for 2 year old colts and fillies, respectively.   

Trivia Question: Who is the Intercontinental Stakes named for? 

Race 7 – The Intercontinental – Grade II 

Five and One Half Furlongs on the Mellon Turf 

For Filles and Mares Four Year Olds and Upward 

1. Pandora’s Gift: Hasn’t won in three North American starts but was a head bob second to Future Is Now (97 Beyer) last out in the Giant’s Causeway. She likes to attend the pace and will need to prevent getting shuffled back from the one hole. Live runner.
2. Future Is Now: Won this race last year and has three wins in row all at five and a half furlongs. Should be near the pace from this inside draw along with Pandora’s Gift. In the Giant’s Causeway he just got the nose down on the wire (97 Beyer) to best that rival. The Pick.
3. On Command: Has won three of five starts for Ameila Green. Wired the field in the License Fee last month (86 Beyer). She likes to be upfront and may be the early speed. Needs a speed fig improvement to contend here. Not today.
4. Danse Macabre: Was a close third in the Giant’s Causeway as she rode the rail (94 Beyer).  Has hit in the board in all five turf sprints at today’s distance.  Look for a stalking trip behind the inside speed and then a move in the last sixteenth. A step below the best here. Hits the board.
5. Twirling Queen: Had a nice three year old campaign as she won the Coronation Cup over this track and Senator Ken Maddy stakes at Santa Anita going five panels (91 Beyer). Gets the test today against salty turf sprinters. Tough spot for her first race since December. Lean against.
6. Pipsy: Won an allowance race two months ago where she pressed (90 Beyer). Competitive in multiple stakes races last year. Likes to be up near the pace. Will need a step forward. Meh.
7. Kairyu: Was decent last year in three turf sprints – finishing second twice including in the Coronation Cup. Needs a move forward in her first start as a four year old. Wait and see.
8. Time to Dazzle: Placed in the License Fee last month but couldn’t run down On Command (84 Beyer). Hasn’t yet won a turf sprint and may be better going longer. Passing.
9. Creed’s Gold: Has two wins from four starts in 2025 as she worked through her conditions. Moves to stakes company today and draws outside which should allow her to pick her spot. Hasn’t broken the 90 Beyer mark in her career. Bullet work leading into this. Small slice.
10. Run for the Hills (MTO): Has been primarily a turf sprinter. But she was competitive in the Open Mind Stakes last year on the dirt. Use on the dirt.

Picks 2-4-1-9  

Race 9 – The Poker – Grade III 

One Mile on the Inner Turf For Four Year Olds and Upward 

1. Cameo Performance: Lat time he was wide in the Bourbon Turf Classic and flattened while part of a cavalry charge (96 Beyer). In the Muniz Memorial two back he had a nice stalking trip but came up short (96 Beyer). Needs to show a better turn of foot. Underneath.
2. Intellect: Gelding had been sprinting on the turf in Europe before coming over to Chad Brown who stretched him out at Keeneland. Ran well enough in his first start in a year but lacked a closing kick to catch the leader (90 Beyer). Eligible for improvement in his second race off a year layoff. Lasix comes OFF. Potential.
3. Filo Di Arianna: Started the year sprinting on the all-weather at Woodbine. Nine year old gelding looks to be the speed today and comes off a campaign where he won two Grade 2s and finished second in the Grade I Woodbine Mile. He’s legit but beware – all six of his wins in North America have come at Woodbine. Finished 2nd in this race two years ago. Underneath.
4. Major Dude: Had a great winter for Pletcher at Gulfstream winning the Ft. Lauderdale (97 Beyer) and just missing in the Canadian Turf (97 Beyer) in a four way photo. But in his last two starts at today’s mile distance haven’t gone as well. In both races he broke poorly and while he finished well – it was not good enough. May prefer a bit more distance. Mixed signals.
5. Mischievous Angel: Has been a turf sprinter but was a good second going a mile in the Henrry Clark at Laurel as got to the lead but couldn’t finish it off (88 Beyer). Needs to be faster.
6. Sherlock’s Jewel: After spending his four year old season on the dirt Shug has moved this one back to the turf where he won both starts this year in optional claiming races. Both of those wins were at eight furlongs. Lasix comes OFF. Possible at a price.
7. Depiction: Late runner finished fourth in N2X company at Keeneland (91 Beyer) in his most race. It’s tough to be a deep closer and win at the mile distance on the inner turf at Saratoga unless you have a very fast pace – which does not appear likely today. Gimmicks.
8. Donegal Momentum: Last out was a decent second in an optional claiming race where he had the lead in the stretch but couldn’t hold off Sherlock’s Jewel (90 Beyer). Has hit the board in all five career races on the grass. Look for him to be up close and press Filo Di Arianna. The Pick.
9. Yo Daddy (MTO): Ran well in the Westchester where he checked early but made steady progress to hit the board on a muddy track (90 Beyer). Can handle a wet track. Dirt Pick.
10. Magnolia Midnight (MTO): The dirt mile is his preferred distance  – if he goes then he’ll set the pace. No wins from five starts over wet dirt tracks. Underneath on the Dirt.

Picks 8-3-7-2 

Trivia Answer: The Intercontinental is named for 2005 American Female Turf Champion. She won 13 times from 22 starts earning over $2 million with wins in the Jenny Wiley (twice), the Just A Game and the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf.