Saturday guide: Preview of Ky. Downs, Del Mar, 2 more tracks

Saturday’s graded stakes offerings run the gamut from multimillion-dollar turf stakes at Kentucky Downs to closing-weekend dirt traditions at Del Mar. Horse Racing Nation has handicapping insight for these and more stakes worth a play.

Free past performances for stakes at Kentucky Downs, Del Mar and Colonial Downs are courtesy of Brisnet. 

Kentucky Downs

Kentucky Downs presents six stakes worth at least $2 million each, including the Grade 1, 6 1/2-furlong Franklin-Simpson stakes for 3-year-olds. Weather permitting, post time at the Franklin, Ky., course is 12:30 p.m. EDT. The live stream is free on the Kentucky Downs YouTube channel. 

Who are the jockeys riding hot or cold on the Kentucky Downs turf? Find out here. 

On the Ron Flatter Racing Pod, trainer Brendan Walsh dials in with the scoop on his horses entered at Kentucky Downs this weekend including Spanish Eyes, New Century and his winner last week Special Wan. Dr. Ronald Tang, a California-based handicapper, is the reigning King of the Turf contest winner and offers tips on how to play the challenging course. HRN’s Mark Midland also offers handicapping for Kentucky Downs and Colonial. 

No.	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last start	Morn. line
1		Golden Afternoon Goldencents	5.87	Nick Vaccarezza José Ortiz	1st, Tom Ridge	20-1
Last race		1st, Tom Ridge
2		Troubleshooting Not This Time		Greg Foley Tyler Gaffalione	2nd, ELP alw (8/4/25-R4)	6-1
Last race		2nd, ELP alw (8/4/25-R4)
3		Warheart Omaha Beach	6.06	Rodolphe Brisset Ben Curtis	1st, CNL alw (7/30/25-R8)	15-1
Last race		1st, CNL alw (7/30/25-R8)
4		Dream On Not This Time	6.64	Mark Casse Javier Castellano	5th, 2025 Secretariat G2	6-1
Last race		5th, 2025 Secretariat G2
5		Antisocial Not This Time	6.73	Jorge Duarte Jr. Joel Rosario	3rd, 2025 Secretariat G2	12-1
Last race		3rd, 2025 Secretariat G2
6		Chasing Liberty Constitution	6.49	Rob Atras Manuel Franco	3rd, 2025 Dade Park Dash	6-1
Last race		3rd, 2025 Dade Park Dash
7		Governor Sam Improbable	6.69	George Weaver Irad Ortiz Jr.	2nd, 2025 Mahony G3	4-1
Last race		2nd, 2025 Mahony G3
8		Spiced Up Quality Road	7.27	Bill Mott Júnior Alvarado	1st, 2025 Mahony G3	7-2
Last race		1st, 2025 Mahony G3
9		Mi Bago Vekoma	6.47	Mark Casse Flavien Prat	5th, 2025 Hall of Fame G2	10-1
Last race		5th, 2025 Hall of Fame G2
10		Innovator Authentic	6.24	Steve Asmussen Keith Asmussen	4th, 2025 Mahony G3	30-1
Last race		4th, 2025 Mahony G3
11		Out On Bail Tiz the Law	6.53	Mike Maker Luis Sáez	3rd, 2025 Penn Mile G3	15-1
Last race		3rd, 2025 Penn Mile G3
12		Bridle A Butterfly Country House	6.34	Al Stall,Jr. John Velázquez	2nd, 2025 Dade Park Dash	15-1
Last race		2nd, 2025 Dade Park Dash
13 ae		Kale’s Angel Complexity	6.47	Peter Miller Florent Géroux	8th, 2025 Oceanside	30-1
Last race		8th, 2025 Oceanside
14 ae		Bucaro Bucchero		Mike Trombetta Luan Machado	3rd, CNL alw (7/30/25-R8)	30-1
Last race		3rd, CNL alw (7/30/25-R8)
15 ae		Litigation Twirling Candy		Brian Lynch Mario Gutiérrez	1st, ELP alw (8/4/25-R4)	6-1
Last race		1st, ELP alw (8/4/25-R4)
16 ae		Stiglets Spun To Run		Phil D’Amato Manuel Franco	2nd, KD alw (8/30/25-R4)	15-1
Last race		2nd, KD alw (8/30/25-R4)

Del Mar

The fabled track where the turf meets the surf closes its summer season Sunday, but Saturday offers three stakes that could prove to be stepping stones to the Breeders’ Cup. The Del Mar Debutante (G1),  John C. Mabee (G2) and Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf showcase the females who could earn championship votes.

The Saturday post time at Del Mar is 4:30 p.m. EDT.

Super Screener creator Mike Shutty calls Del Mar his home, and he has expert insight into how the locals are training for the Del Mar Debutante. Check out his analysis and wagering suggestions. 

Colonial Downs

Colonial presents the Old Dominion Derby (G3) and Old Dominion Oaks, each 1 1/8-mile turf stakes and the final 2025 stakes races there for 3-year-olds. HRN’s Ed DeRosa takes you through both races with a single for one and a smart spread strategy for the other. See his fair odds for both races.

Louisiana Downs

The Super Derby, the 1 1/8-mile test on dirt that counts Hall of Fame horse Tiznow among its winners, is run again at Louisiana Downs. Here’s a look at the field of seven and a pace analysis that points to one clear win choice.