Holland's North America free racing picks for Aug. 2

Saratoga

Race 6

Trainer Gargan wins with 15% of his first-time starters and saddles #5 My Alluring Lady (5-1), a debuting daughter of freshman sire Runhappy. Connections of New York-bred show confidence going against open company, and $300K yearling purchase has posted two recent 4-furlong bullet works. Gargan has won with 27% of his runners this year and filly appears ready for a good first outing with Franco riding.

Ellis Park

Race 7

A competitive field going a mile on turf includes #8 Hay Dakota (10-1), who comes off a second-place finish as the favorite over 1 1/16 miles at Indiana Grand last month in his first start since being claimed by Mike Maker. Gelding finished a close third in the Canadian Turf (G3) at this distance earlier this year and Maker excels with his older runners on grass. 7-year-old should find a solid pace to close into under Corrales, who has won with 18% of his rides for the barn in the past two months.

Race 8

#2 Into Mystic (7-2) makes her first start for trainer Walsh and chased tough company when fourth in the Monrovia (G2) at this distance at Santa Anita in her latest in May in her first try on grass. Daughter of Into Mischief posted a sharp 5-furlong work at Keeneland in :59 nine days ago for Walsh, who wins with 26% of his runners first time for his barn. Filly can be on or near the lead throughout with Talamo in the saddle.

Race 10

Another turf runner from the Maker barn is #5 Empire of War (10-1). Son of Declaration of War showed little in his first few starts for Maker, but won the Awad as a juvenile when trained by Pletcher and showed a return to form with a win from off the pace at Keeneland in his latest last month in his first start since March. Maker wins with 19% of his runners second off a layoff and with 18% that won last time out, and 4-year-old gets Geroux in the irons.

Woodbine

Race 9

#10 Count Again (6-1) finished third after losing chances to win when badly blocked in the stretch as the favorite over the course and distance in his latest in June in his first start for trainer Gail Cox. Son of Awesome Again is a half-brother to dual Bing Crosby (G1) winner Ransom the Moon, and Cox has won with 13% of her runners this meet. Gelding has won two of three starts on grass and can be along late with Contreras remaining aboard.

Colonial Downs

Race 7

A couple of first-time starters catch the eye in this one-mile turf maiden including #6 Princess Grace (5-1), who debuts for 15% first-out trainer Stidham. Daughter of very promising young turf sire Karakontie has been working well for Stidham, who wins with 19% of his runners on grass. #11 Lexophilia (6-1) makes her first start for Delacour, who wins with 16% of his newcomers. Daughter of Animal Kingdom is out of a champion 3-year-old in Uruguay and gets McCarthy in the saddle.

Ruidoso Downs

Race 4

Joel Marr wins with 16% of his first-time starters and saddles #3 Going to Jackson (6-1), a debuting daughter of Abstraction, who is out of a mare by 16% first-out sire Speightstown. Filly’s works include a 5-furlong move in 1:01 4/5 from the gate for Marr, who wins with 23% of his runners overall in maiden special weight events. Dark bay can win at first asking under Fuentes, who has won with three of his last 11 rides for the barn.