Must-See Races of the Weekend: Solid Racing East to West

I’m not sure it’s possible to top what we saw last weekend with California Chrome and Dortmund at Del Mar or Songbird at Saratoga, but the racing gods are sure trying. A pair of 3-year-old races at Saratoga and Monmouth Park that will feature all three of this year’s Triple Crown race winners, along with the appearance of super-horse Flintshire at Saratoga, while on the west coast, Beholder will put in her final prep race for the Pacific Classic where it appears she will meet up with the likes of California Chrome, Dortmund and Melatonin.

In addition to four graded stakes worth $1.4 million at Saratoga on Saturday, a massive three-day Pick 6 carryover of $502,797 awaits bettors.

This weekend is going to be insane. So grab a sandwich and maybe a few brewskis. It’s going to be a busy weekend. Here are our must-see races of the weekend in order of post times.

(All times in CST)

Saturday

Saratoga – Race 4 – Amsterdam S. (G2) – 1:41 PM

A wide-open field of eight 3-year-olds going 6 1/2 furlongs.

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Saratoga – Race 7 – Bowling Green S. (G2) – 3:25 PM

The world-class turf monster Flintshire returns to the track in what should be an exhibition.

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Saratoga – Race 9 – Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G1) – 4:40 PM

Trainer Jorge Navarro will be represented by a trio of runners in a competitive edition of the Grade 1, $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt for seasoned sprinters at six furlongs Saturday at Saratoga Race Course, led by Grade 2 Smile Sprint winner Delta Bluesman.

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Saratoga – Race 10 – Jim Dandy S. (G2) – 5:18 PM

Creator and Destin, who were separated by inches at the end of a grueling 12 furlongs in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes, hook up again at Saratoga Race Course in Saturday’s Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes – the key local stepping-stone to the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes August 27.

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Del Mar – Race 8 – Clement L. Hirsch S. (G1) – 7:33 PM

Champion Stellar Wind and three other older fillies face mighty Beholder in Saturday’s Grade I, $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes.

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Sunday

Saratoga – Race 3 – Shuvee H. (G3) – 1:07 PM

Curalina leads a rather disappointing field of a mere four fillies going 1 1/8 miles.

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Monmouth Park – Race 8 – Monmouth Cup S. (G2) – 2:29 PM

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Monmouth Park – Race 9 – Oceanport S. (G3) – 3:04 PM

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Monmouth Park – Race 10 – Molly Pitcher S. (G3) – 3:35 PM

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Woodbine – Race 8 – Royal North S. (G3) – 3:48 PM

Lady Shipman leads a field of ten going six furlongs on the turf in the Grade III, $150,000 Royal North Stakes.

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Monmouth Park – Race 11 – WinStar Matchmaker S. (G3) – 4:05 PM

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Monmouth Park – Race 12 – Haskell Invitational S. (G1) – 4:47 PM

Kentucky Derby Winner Nyquist and Preakness winner Exaggerator battle off against the likes of Gun Runner and Bob Baffert’s new shooter, American Freedom in the Grade I, $1,000,000 Haskell Invitational Stakes.

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Del Mar – Race 3 – Maiden Special Weight – 5:09 PM

The long-awaited start of American Cleopatra, full sister to 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, has finally arrived! This one will be a must-watch.

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Del Mar – Race 8 – Bing Crosby S. (G1) – 7:40 PM

Spendthrift Farm’s classy Lord Nelson, recent winner of the Grade I Triple Bend Stakes at Santa Anita, will attempt to continue building on his reputation Sunday when he heads a field of nine sprinters in the 71^st running of the Grade I $300,000 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs.

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