Saratoga Race 9 - Race 9 - Starter Optional Claiming
SHOOT THE NICKEL (12) found one marginally better last start over 1308m at Aqueduct (Dirt) after being prominent throughout. Drawn out but can cross. Finds the right race this time and can take the next step and salute. PRIVATE DESIRE (7) started at $7.64 last time and ran below expectations, finishing fifth and beaten 7 lengths at Aqueduct (Dirt) over 1207m. This is a nice drop in grade so he is likely to play a big role. SECURED LANDING (6) is having his first run since winning by 4 lengths two weeks ago over 1609m at Aqueduct. Has transferred to the Linda Rice stable over the break. Comes here with definite top-three claims. GATSBY (1) is back from a spell of five months. Closed last campaign with a minor placing over 1106m at Aqueduct (Dirt). One to consider.

Jockey: Manuel Franco
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign third in a small field at Aqueduct January 11 over 1106m, 2.75 len behind Funny Uncle carrying 56kg at $2.10. First up last campaign fifth of 8 at this track August 3 over 1308m, 4 len behind Camp David with 55.5kg at $2.85. Expect he will go well.
Last Starts 147 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/6 | 11/01/2026 | 44 | HCP 4U | $68,759.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1106m | M | Manuel Franco | 56kg | 1:04.45 | 2-3-3 | 2 |
| 2.8L | $2.10 |
| 1/6 | 28/11/2025 | 48 | ALLOW 3U | $83,969.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | Fast | Manuel Franco | 55.5kg | 1:09.73 | 1-1-1 | 5 |
| 2.5L | $1.64 |
| 1/6 | 11/10/2025 | 48 | CLM 3U | $91,324.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1308m | Fast | Manuel Franco | 55kg | 1:16.09 | 1-1-1 | 6 |
| 6.0L | $6.70 |
| 2/9 | 24/08/2025 | 21 | CLM 3U | $52,713.00 | Saratoga | 1207m | Fast | Manuel Franco | 55.5kg | 1:10.24 | 1-2-2 | 1 |
| 0.1L | $7.80 |
| 5/8 | 03/08/2025 | 66 | CLM 3U | $52,713.00 | Saratoga | 1308m | Fast | Emisael Jaramillo | 55.5kg | 1:17.57 | 1-2-5 | 5 |
| 4.0L | $2.85 |
| 3/6 | 29/05/2025 | 81 | CLM 3U | $56,250.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1308m | Fast | Edgard J Zayas | 55.5kg | 1:19.49 | 1-3-3 | 5 |
| 1.0L | $2.20 |

Jockey: Edgard J. Zayas
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
At the latest run 3rd in a small field at Finger Lakes in LR on May 25 over 1207m, 4 len behind Ten Cent Town carrying 54.5kg at $13.99. The start before that 2nd in a small field at Aqueduct on April 30 over 1609m, 0.5 len behind Fever Night carrying 57kg at $3.75. Looks tested despite the low draw.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/6 | 25/05/2026 | 25 | LR OPEN 3U | $69,832.00 | Finger Lakes | 1207m | SP | Keiber J Coa | 54.5kg | 1:10.81 | 2-3-3 | 5 |
| 3.8L | $13.99 |
| 2/5 | 30/04/2026 | 21 | CLM 3U | $51,676.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1609m | M | Edgard J Zayas | 57kg | 1:36.61 | 3-2-2 | 5 |
| 0.5L | $3.75 |
| 2/7 | 09/04/2026 | 19 | CLM 3U | $52,402.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1408m | Fast | Edgard J Zayas | 57kg | 1:23.42 | 1-2-2 | 3 |
| 1.3L | $11.33 |
| 6/9 | 21/03/2026 | 9 | CLM 4U | $64,607.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1408m | Fast | Jose Lezcano | 55kg | 1:24.08 | 1-4-6 | 3 |
| 13.0L | $14.81 |
| 4/7 | 12/03/2026 | 61 | CLM 4U | $56,180.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1609m | M | Sahin Civaci | 55kg | 1:38.37 | 6-3-4 | 7 |
| 3.1L | $8.52 |
| 3/4 | 10/01/2026 | 13 | CLM 4U | $59,791.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1811m | Fast | Christopher Elliott | 55kg | 1:53.38 | 1-3-3 | 2 |
| 9.3L | $5.53 |

Jockey: Favinho Villa Pino
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Most recently ran last of 7 at Aqueduct on May 16 over 1207m, 18 len behind Factually Correct with 56kg at $29.01. The run before that 3rd of 7 at Aqueduct on May 8 over 1308m, 6 len behind Nabokov with 56kg at $12.48. Others going much better heading into this one.
Last Starts 22 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/7 | 16/05/2026 | 8 | CLM 4U | $83,799.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | Fast | Moreno Omar Hernandez | 56kg | 1:10.82 | 3-6-7 | 7 |
| 18.3L | $29.01 |
| 3/7 | 08/05/2026 | 13 | CLM 4U | $55,866.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1308m | Fast | Moreno Omar Hernandez | 56kg | 1:16.24 | 4-1-3 | 1 |
| 5.8L | $12.48 |
| 9/9 | 25/04/2026 | 14 | CLM 4U | $40,757.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1408m | M | Manuel Franco | 56kg | 1:24.86 | 4-8-9 | 1 |
| 33.0L | $2.66 |
| 1/6 | 11/04/2026 | 29 | CLM 4U | $58,224.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1308m | Fast | Manuel Franco | 55kg | 1:18.10 | 2-1-1 | 5 |
| 0.1L | $2.18 |
| 5/7 | 13/03/2026 | 22 | HCP 4U | $56,180.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | Good | Flavien Prat | 55kg | 1:10.99 | 3-2-5 | 1 |
| 4.5L | $1.67 |
| 4/7 | 19/02/2026 | 123 | HCP 4U | $57,061.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1408m | Fast | Christopher Elliott | 55kg | 1:25.42 | 2-1-4 | 4 |
| 8.3L | $7.25 |

Jockey: Silvestre Gonzalez
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns from a 35-day let-up. Most recently ran last in a small field at Aqueduct on May 3 over 1308m, 10 len behind Trust Issues with 56kg at $4.92. The race before that won by a 0.3 len at Aqueduct April 17 over 1207m defeating Social Hour with 57kg at $23.20. Has the ability to be in the finish.
Last Starts 35 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | 03/05/2026 | 16 | CLM 4U | $90,782.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1308m | Fast | Manuel Franco | 56kg | 1:17.73 | 3-5-5 | 3 |
| 10.3L | $4.92 |
| 1/8 | 17/04/2026 | 6 | ALLOW 3U | $87,336.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | Fast | Silvestre Gonzalez | 57kg | 1:10.70 | 5-3-1 | 3 |
| 0.3L | $23.20 |
| 2/6 | 11/04/2026 | 15 | CLM 4U | $58,224.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1308m | Fast | Gokhan Kocakaya | 56kg | 1:18.10 | 5-2-2 | 3 |
| 0.1L | $4.03 |
| 1/6 | 27/03/2026 | 22 | CLM 4U | $39,326.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1308m | Fast | R Silvera | 56kg | 1:17.40 | 1-1-1 | 6 |
| 3.8L | $1.75 |
| 3/5 | 05/03/2026 | 28 | HCP 4U | $64,607.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | SP | Jose Antonio Gomez | 56kg | 1:12.42 | 3-3-3 | 3 |
| 7.3L | $4.98 |
| 10/12 | 05/02/2026 | 54 | ALLOW 4U | $85,592.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1408m | Fast | R Silvera | 56kg | 1:25.31 | 11-11-10 | 11 |
| 29.1L | $16.99 |

Jockey: Christopher Elliott
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up today and won third-up previously. Comes off a 44 day let-up. Resuming won by 1.75 len at Aqueduct March 13 over 1207m defeating Paradise Valley carrying 57kg at $1.45. Second-up second last in a small field at Aqueduct on April 24 over 1207m, 4 len behind Factually Correct carrying 56kg at $2.24. Needs to find extra to beat these.
Last Starts 44 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/6 | 24/04/2026 | 42 | CLM 4U | $66,958.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | Fast | Manuel Franco | 56kg | 1:10.76 | 6-5-5 | 2 |
| 3.8L | $2.24 |
| 1/5 | 13/03/2026 | 63 | CLM 3U | $73,034.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | Good | Manuel Franco | 57kg | 1:10.70 | 4-1-1 | 5 |
| 1.8L | $1.45 |
| 3/6 | 09/01/2026 | 50 | ALLOW OCLM 4U | $128,550.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | Fast | Flavien Prat | 55kg | 1:09.84 | 5-4-3 | 5 |
| 8.0L | $4.68 |
| 3/8 | 20/11/2025 | 19 | CLM 3U | $135,878.00 | Churchill Downs | 1207m | M | Jaime A Torres | 54.5kg | 1:11.42 | 8-5-3 | 6 |
| 1.6L | $10.46 |
| 5/6 | 01/11/2025 | 279 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $204,580.00 | Churchill Downs | 1509m | Fast | Jaime A Torres | 54.5kg | 1:29.77 | 6-4-5 | 6 |
| 4.3L | $10.00 |
| 4/6 | 26/01/2025 | 29 | ALLOW OCLM 4U | $158,065.00 | Gulfstream Park | 1308m | Fast | Jorge Ruiz | 54.5kg | 1:15.94 | 4-3-4 | 2 |
| 4.5L | $6.40 |

Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Form hard to fault. Most recently scored a big 4 len win at Aqueduct May 24 over 1609m defeating Ambition carrying 56kg at $2.83. Before that scored a big 4 len win at Aqueduct May 3 over 1609m defeating Sagamore Mischief with 56kg at $1.95. Well placed. Should prove hard to beat.
Last Starts 14 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/7 | 24/05/2026 | 21 | CLM 4U | $83,799.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1609m | SP | K Carmouche | 56kg | 1:37.08 | 1-1-1 | 6 |
| 4.0L | $2.83 |
| 1/7 | 03/05/2026 | 24 | CLM 4U | $55,866.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1609m | Fast | K Carmouche | 56kg | 1:37.14 | 2-1-1 | 2 |
| 3.8L | $1.95 |
| 1/5 | 09/04/2026 | 28 | CLM 4U | $58,224.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1609m | Fast | Manuel Franco | 56kg | 1:37.00 | 1-1-1 | 2 |
| 4.3L | $2.24 |
| 2/7 | 12/03/2026 | 21 | CLM 4U | $56,180.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1609m | M | Jamie Rodriguez | 56kg | 1:38.37 | 2-1-2 | 3 |
| 0.1L | $4.38 |
| 1/7 | 19/02/2026 | 15 | ALLOW 3U | $51,966.00 | Penn National | 1609m | Good | Martin Chuan | 54.5kg | 1:36.87 | 1-1-1 | 2 |
| 1.8L | $3.70 |
| 3/6 | 04/02/2026 | 30 | ALLOW OCLM 4U | $71,327.00 | Parx | 1673m | Fast | Mychel J Sanchez | 55.5kg | 1:43.98 | 3-3-3 | 3 |
| 4.5L | $3.20 |

Jockey: Javier Castellano
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Last start held ground to the line 3rd of 7 at Aqueduct on May 25 over 1408m, 2.5 len behind Rock The Weekend with 57kg at $3.71. Before that 2nd in a small field at Aqueduct on May 2 over 1207m, 1.0 len behind Gunner Bay carrying 57kg at $5.47. Hard to recommend on recent form.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/7 | 25/05/2026 | 23 | HCP 3U | $51,676.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1408m | SP | Edgard J Zayas | 57kg | 1:23.75 | 4-3-3 | 6 |
| 2.5L | $3.71 |
| 2/6 | 02/05/2026 | 23 | HCP 3U | $51,676.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | Fast | Edgard J Zayas | 57kg | 1:10.92 | 3-5-2 | 3 |
| 1.0L | $5.47 |
| 5/7 | 09/04/2026 | 27 | CLM 3U | $52,402.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1408m | Fast | Manuel Franco | 57kg | 1:23.42 | 2-5-5 | 1 |
| 8.5L | $8.27 |
| 2/7 | 13/03/2026 | 75 | HCP 4U | $56,180.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | Good | Gokhan Kocakaya | 55kg | 1:10.99 | 5-4-2 | 3 |
| 0.5L | $16.39 |
| 8/8 | 28/12/2025 | 36 | CLM 3U | $88,821.00 | Oaklawn Park | 1207m | Fast | Amir Mendoza | 51.5kg | 1:10.25 | 6-7-8 | 3 |
| 14.8L | $30.10 |
| 2/7 | 22/11/2025 | 16 | HCP 3U | $58,015.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | SP | Manuel Franco | 54.5kg | 1:10.53 | 5-5-2 | 7 |
| 3.0L | $11.57 |

Jockey: Ruben Silvera
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
At the latest run 5th of 8 at Aqueduct Turf on May 23 over 1207m, 9 len behind Shape Note with 57kg at $12.41. The start before that settled back and ran on when 4th of 8 at Aqueduct Inner Turf on April 24 over 1207m, 1.4 len behind Flat To Da Mat carrying 57kg at $8.81. Watch for sharp improvement.
Last Starts 15 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/8 | 23/05/2026 | 29 | ALLOW OCLM 3U | $122,905.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | Good | Silvera Ruben | 57kg | 1:12.26 | 4-8-5 | 4 |
| 9.5L | $12.41 |
| 4/8 | 24/04/2026 | 27 | ALLOW 3U | $120,815.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | FM | Silvera Ruben | 57kg | 1:07.93 | 8-4-4 | 2 |
| 1.4L | $8.81 |
| 2/6 | 28/03/2026 | 45 | ALLOW 4U | $98,315.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | Fast | R Silvera | 56kg | 1:11.39 | 3-2-2 | 3 |
| 1.3L | $4.12 |
| 4/7 | 11/02/2026 | 75 | HCP 4U | $88,445.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | Fast | Manuel Franco | 56kg | 1:10.62 | 5-2-4 | 1 |
| 6.8L | $7.54 |
| 2/6 | 28/11/2025 | 41 | ALLOW 3U | $83,969.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | Fast | R Silvera | 55.5kg | 1:09.73 | 3-2-2 | 3 |
| 2.5L | $3.67 |
| 1/9 | 18/10/2025 | 16 | ALLOW 3U | $114,155.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1408m | Fast | Manuel Franco | 56kg | 1:22.22 | 2-3-1 | 7 |
| 0.1L | $8.37 |

Jockey: Dylan Davis
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
At the latest run 5th of 7 at Aqueduct on May 16 over 1207m, 5 len behind Factually Correct carrying 55kg at $12.06. The start before that second last of 7 at Aqueduct on April 12 over 1408m, 2.75 len behind Ten Cent Town carrying 55kg at $11.05. Fully tested on his recent run.
Last Starts 22 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/7 | 16/05/2026 | 34 | CLM 4U | $83,799.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | Fast | Dylan Davis | 55kg | 1:10.82 | 6-5-5 | 6 |
| 5.3L | $12.06 |
| 6/7 | 12/04/2026 | 24 | CLM 4U | $78,603.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1408m | Fast | Dylan Davis | 55kg | 1:24.31 | 6-3-6 | 6 |
| 2.8L | $11.05 |
| 6/6 | 19/03/2026 | 14 | CLM 4U | $75,843.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | Fast | Christopher Elliott | 55kg | 1:10.92 | 6-6-6 | 4 |
| 14.0L | $8.46 |
| 2/5 | 05/03/2026 | 62 | HCP 4U | $64,607.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | SP | Manuel Franco | 55kg | 1:12.42 | 1-1-2 | 5 |
| 0.3L | $2.71 |
| 3/6 | 02/01/2026 | 34 | CLM 4U | $68,759.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | Fast | Julio A Hernandez | 56kg | 1:12.28 | 2-3-3 | 2 |
| 3.0L | $5.50 |
| 5/7 | 29/11/2025 | 22 | CLM 3U | $68,702.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1408m | Fast | Manuel Franco | 55.5kg | 1:23.58 | 2-3-5 | 7 |
| 6.1L | $1.78 |

Jockey: Jeremias Flores
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Second run back. First-up after six months won by a 0.1 len at Finger Lakes May 11 over 1006m defeating East Coast Girl with 56kg at $5.06. Previously second-up ran last of 8 at Keeneland on April 9 2025 over 1308m, 13 len behind Liltonytwophones with 53.5kg at $30.32. This is tougher so prefer others.
Last Starts 27 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/6 | 11/05/2026 | 178 | HCP 3U | $27,933.00 | Finger Lakes | 1006m | Fast | Jeremias Flores | 56kg | 0:58.33 | 1-2-1 | 1 |
| 0.1L | $5.06 |
| 8/8 | 14/11/2025 | 17 | CLM 3U | $131,298.00 | Churchill Downs | 1408m | Fast | Luan Machado | 55.5kg | 1:22.66 | 6-8-8 | 5 |
| 18.3L | $13.91 |
| 1/7 | 28/10/2025 | 14 | HCP 3U | $30,441.00 | Finger Lakes | 1811m | Fast | Jeremias Flores | 57kg | 1:52.68 | 1-1-1 | 5 |
| 7.3L | $1.94 |
| 3/7 | 14/10/2025 | 13 | ALLOW 3U | $53,272.00 | Finger Lakes | 2012m | Fast | Jeremias Flores | 56kg | 2:07.75 | 1-1-3 | 5 |
| 3.5L | $2.85 |
| 1/6 | 01/10/2025 | 28 | HCP 3U | $30,581.00 | Finger Lakes | 1673m | Fast | Jeremias Flores | 58kg | 1:44.38 | 1-1-1 | 1 |
| 2.8L | $3.41 |
| 2/8 | 03/09/2025 | 13 | HCP 3U | $30,581.00 | Finger Lakes | 1207m | Fast | Jeremias Flores | 58kg | 1:11.27 | 2-1-2 | 1 |
| 2.5L | $1.97 |

Jockey: Flavien Prat
Weight: 56kgs
Stats
Comments
Recent form sound. Comes off a 35 day let-up. Most recently 2nd in a small field at Aqueduct on May 3 over 1308m, 0.5 len behind Trust Issues carrying 56kg at $8.42. The run before that 4th in a small field at Aqueduct on March 28 over 1207m, 4 len behind Master Of Arms with 56kg at $2.38. Strong effort last time and looks a leading hope.
Last Starts 35 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/5 | 03/05/2026 | 36 | CLM 4U | $90,782.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1308m | Fast | Gokhan Kocakaya | 56kg | 1:17.73 | 2-2-2 | 2 |
| 0.5L | $8.42 |
| 4/6 | 28/03/2026 | 30 | ALLOW 4U | $98,315.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | Fast | Manuel Franco | 56kg | 1:11.39 | 1-3-4 | 6 |
| 4.1L | $2.38 |
| 1/6 | 26/02/2026 | 7 | ALLOW 4U | $85,592.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1106m | M | Gokhan Kocakaya | 56kg | 1:05.54 | 1-2-1 | 3 |
| 0.1L | $6.51 |
| 2/8 | 19/02/2026 | 7 | HCP 4U | $71,327.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1308m | Fast | Manuel Franco | 56kg | 1:18.54 | 6-3-2 | 1 |
| 0.1L | $4.84 |
| 3/6 | 12/02/2026 | 20 | ALLOW 4U | $85,592.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1207m | Fast | Gokhan Kocakaya | 56kg | 1:13.35 | 1-3-3 | 5 |
| 6.3L | $41.21 |
| 1/7 | 23/01/2026 | 44 | CLM 4U | $41,106.00 | Belmont At The Big A | 1408m | Fast | Jamie Rodriguez | 56kg | 1:25.41 | 3-1-1 | 4 |
| 1.8L | $1.84 |