Holland's North America free racing picks for Aug. 1

Saratoga

Race 4

A couple of second time starters by Uncle Mo catch the eye in this 7-furlong maiden event. #2 Searing Chase (6-1) is out of a half-sister to Divine Oath, who won the American Derby (G3), and faded to finish unplaced after making a premature bid for the lead in his debut at Keeneland last month. Gelding cost $700K as a yearling and posted a sharp 5-furlong work in :59 2/5 a week ago for trainer Chatlos, who wins with 16% of his runners in maiden special weight events. Trainer Nevin wins with 18% of her second time starters and saddles #6 Uncle Moonlight (10-1), who comes off a well-beaten fourth place finish at Belmont in his debut behind the promising Creed, who won an allowance next time out.  Nevin has won with two of 10 runners this meet and 3-year-old is a three-quarter brother to By the Moon, winner of the Frizette (G1).

Race 10

Plenty of early pace may set-up for a closer, such as #8 Three Technique (6-1), who has not been seen since weakening to finish fourth after making early progress in the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn in mid-March. Son of Mr Speaker is unbeaten in two previous starts at this distance for trainer Englehart, who wins with 17% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days. Dark bay has been working well and Jose Ortiz takes the mount.

Race 12

Sprinters on turf include #5 Jakarta (10-1), who faded to finish fourth in the Vagrancy (G3) over 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Belmont after leading early in late June. 5-year-old has won one of her two previous starts on turf and trainer Maker has won with 29% of his starters at this meet. Daughter of decent turf sprint sire Bustin Stones figures to be the one to catch under Saez, who has won with three of his last seven rides for Maker.

Ellis Park

Race 6

Trainer Walsh wins with 22% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days and saddles #8 Extra Attention (6-1), who has not been seen since finishing unplaced at this distance on grass here last August, from which race the winner and runner-up both won next time out. Daughter of Medaglia d’Oro is out of a half-sister to Folklore, who won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), and has been working well for Walsh, who has won with 15% of his starters this year. 3-year-old can be along from off the pace with Talamo taking the mount.

Race 7

#7 Miss Malibu (6-1) debuts for trainer Stall, who wins with 21% of his first-time starters. Daughter of Into Mischief is out of Malibu Pier, who won the Santa Ana (G2), and Stall wins with 18% of his runners on turf. Filly appears ready for a good first outing with Hernandez in the saddle.

Race 8

Another runner from the Walsh barn on this card is #2 Samaronti (9-2), who closed to finish fourth after a slow start at this distance at Keeneland in his latest in his second start after a short break. Walsh wins with 21% of his runners third time off a layoff and son of Violence has won one of his seven starts on dirt. 4-year-old usually shows early speed and can be in good position from the start with Bejarano riding.

Monmouth Park

Race 8

#8 So High (4-1) rallied from off the pace to win his latest at Tampa in June in her first outing for trainer Thomas and first outing since finishing second in England nearly 14 months earlier. Son of excellent European sire Nathaniel is out of Fugitive Angel, who won the Valley View (G3), and Thomas wins with 29% of his starters second off a layoff. Gelding can be along from off the pace with Vargas up.

Woodbine

Race 9

Maidens going 9 furlongs on the Tapeta include #10 Fifth Season (20-1), who showed some early run before flattening out to finish sixth in his debut over 1 1/16 miles in his debut here last month. Trainer Halden won with three of her last 14 second time starters and has won with two of 11 starters at this meet. Son of Palace Malice is worth a look at likely good odds with meet’s leading rider Hernandez taking the mount.