Garrity's Sunday Stakes picks races at Woodbine, Saratoga and Del Mar, including the Niagara and Shuvee

We have three plays, in three stakes races, on this July Sunday. We expect fast dirt and firm turf in all three, so let’s go.

Woodbine, Race 7, 4:11 pm ET

$100,000 Niagara Stakes, 1 ⅛ miles, Turf, 4 & Up

Nine older turf runners go in the Niagara. Favored 5-March to the Arch, who’s 8/5 on the morning line, is a strong play: He is the classiest runner in the group, with multiple graded stakes wins to his credit; he in in good form, as he ran second in his last start, an allowance on the synthetic track at Woodbine, his 2021 seasonal debut and a race that will serve as an excellent prep for this spot; and he’s the strongest finisher in a race whose shape should favor that running style. March to the Arch simply looks better than the rest of the field, so we’re going to take a page out of the Handicapping 101 playbook, and bet the best horse to win. The bet: Woodbine, Race 7, $50 to win on 5-March to the Arch.

Saratoga, Race 9, 5:39 pm ET

Grade 3 Shuvee Stakes, 1 ⅛ miles, Dirt, Fillies & Mares 4 & Up

A good field of seven lines up for the Shuvee. The pick is 4-Dunbar Road, a 5-year-old mare trained by Chad Brown. She disappointed in her last start, the Grade 1 La Troienne, which was run as part of the Kentucky Oaks undercard at Churchill Downs on April 30, but that was her first start of the year, and while she was not at her best that day, finishing fifth, she did not embarrass herself, nor run in a manner that suggests that there may be something wrong with her. She should be poised for a top effort here, and that means the rest of the field is running for second money. We will bet her to win at 2-1. The bet: Saratoga, Race 9, $50 to win on 4-Dunbar Road.

Del Mar, Race 9, 9:06 pm

$150,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Turf, California-breds 3 & Up

The California Dreamin’ drew a full field of ten. It’s a terrific betting race. We like 9-Brandothebartender, who returns to grass after a couple of unsuccessful tries in stakes races on dirt. He’s always been a better turf horse, and he looks poised to run a big race today, partly due to the surface change, and partly because the early pace should be swift enough to set up his late charge. We will bet him to win at 4-1. The bet: Del Mar, Race 9, $40 to win on 9-Brandothebartender.

That’s all for today. Until the next time, enjoy the racing, be safe, and, as always, good luck at the windows.