Holiday Filled With Big Races

Horse racing fans will have plenty to pay attention to on this holiday with interesting races everywhere from Del Mar to Saratoga and many places in between.

Congaree’s owners hope a new rider--Mike Smith--will get their horse back in the winner’s circle after consecutive flops in California and Kentucky. Congaree takes on five others in the $250,000 Del Mar Breeders’ Cup Handicap at one mile.

Saratoga wraps up another successful meet with an 11-race program, headed by $100,000 Saranac, a Grade III at 1 1/16 miles on the turf; Philadelphia Park offers the $500,000 Pennsylvania Derby featuring the return of Harlan’s Holiday and even River Downs gets into the act with the $200,000 Cradle Stakes for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles.

The River Downs race is part of a national pick three. The $1 minimum wager asks bettors to select the winner of the Cradle, the $150,000 Arlington Matron at Arlington Park and the $125,000 Solana Beach Handicap at Del Mar.

There’s also a significant quarter horse race. What is arguably the best field ever assembled at Ruidoso Downs will compete in the $2,050,000 All American Futurity.

The field for the 440-yard Grade I is topped by the Dutch Masters III-owned entry of Flys R Streakin and Meteoric, Rainbow Futurity winner First To Flash and AB What A Runner. Race of the day: The seventh at Del Mar is a wide-open turf marathon (1 3/8 miles) and drew a full field of 10.

Who’s hot: Warren Stute. The trainer, who will turn 81 on Sept. 30, continues to win at a high percentage and his win with 11-1 shot Miss Houdini in Saturday’s Del Mar Debutante came 51 years after he won the inaugural Debutante with Tonga.

Who’s not: Scott Lake. Unless he wins the seventh today with Thuderello, America’s second-leading trainer in terms of victories will finish 0-for-Saratoga.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Special Matter, Taormina and Gypsy Road in the seventh, singling Kela in the eighth, Swordfish, Balenos and Infinite Faith in the ninth and Golden Cortez, Pacific Colony and Magnetic Hill in the 10th.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/69. Money: Previous day/meet total: $4.20/$405. Total money bet: $598.