Garrity's Sunday Stakes picks the Oceanport at Monmouth, Mahony at Saratoga, Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs

We’re all over the place on this summer Sunday, with three plays at three tracks, from Monmouth Park in New Jersey to Saratoga Race Course in Upstate New York to Emerald Downs in Washington State. We expect fast dirt and firm turf in all three, so let’s go.

Monmouth Park, Race 9, 4:23 pm ET
$100,000 Oceanport Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Turf, 3 & Up

Ten older turf horses line up for the Oceanport at the Jersey Shore. We’re all in on 7-Beacon Hill, who faced tougher horses last year, and who makes his second start off a long layoff. He has a very potent late kick, which will be an asset, as we expect the early pace to be quick, which will favor closers. Look for him to be flying late; we will bet him to win at 5-1. The bet: Monmouth Park, Race 9, $40 to win on 7-Beacon Hill.

Saratoga Race Course, Race 10, 6:18 pm ET

$150,000 Mahony Stakes, 5 ½ furlongs, Turf, 3-Year-Olds

A deep field of ten lines up for the Mahony. We’re expecting some gas at the beginning of the race, as a couple of absolute speedballs, 4-Uncashed and 10-Drew’s Gold, should produce some of the swiftest early fractions of the week, and possibly the meet, at Saratoga. Sitting just behind this rocket ride will be 6-No Nay Hudson, our pick, who has enough speed to stay reasonably close to the early leaders, but who typically finishes his races much more strongly. We see him sitting three or four lengths off the speedsters early, and rolling past them down the stretch. We will bet him to win at 6-1. The bet: Saratoga, Race 10, $40 to win on 6-No Nay Hudson.

Emerald Downs, Race 8, 9:00 pm ET

$150,000 Longacres Mile, 1 mile, Dirt, 3 & Up

The biggest race of the year in the Pacific Northwest, the Longacres Mile, goes as Race 8 in the Emerald Downs program. Of the ten entered, 7-Five Star General is the strong play: Trainer Grant Forster has brought him from his Midwest base for this race, presumably because of his affinity for the distance, as he has hit the board in 6 of his 8 career tries when running a mile on dirt. His last three races, which were at the Fair Grounds, Evangeline Downs, and Horseshoe Indianapolis, were all excellent, and while a repeat of any one of them should be enough to beat the unimposing local horses he faces, we think he will be even better, as he has much more early speed than any of his rivals. We see Five Star General going right to the front, and staying there all the way around the track; we will bet him to win at 2-1, and we will do so with gusto. The bet: Emerald Downs, Race 8, $50 to win on 7-Five Star General.

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