Holland's North America free racing picks for July 31

Saratoga

Race 9

Plenty of early pace may set up well for a closer, such as #3 Fly So Pretty (8-1), who was not a factor when unplaced on the main track at Churchill at this distance in her latest in May when making her first start since November. Daughter of Sky Mesa has won two of three starts sprinting on grass and defeated subsequent Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) winner Sharing when winning her debut over the course and distance last year despite a rough trip. Filly has been working well for Mark Casse and can be along in time under Velazquez, who has won with 20% of his rides for the barn in the past two months.

Ellis Park

Race 9

Trainer Wilkes wins with 16% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days and saddles #8 Rye Humor (8-1), who has not been seen since finishing a well-beaten third behind the useful Global Campaign in his debut on the main track at Gulfstream early last year. Son of 14% turf sire Distorted Humor is a half-brother to four winners on grass and has been working well for Wilkes, who has won with 13% of his runners this year. 4-year-old has been gelded since his last outing and can be along from off the pace with Leparoux up.

Laurel Park

Race 3

Some well-bred maidens on grass include #7 Espressoandacheck (5-1), who has not raced since fading to finish unplaced over 1 1/16 miles in her debut at Aqueduct in November. Daughter of Medaglia d’Oro is the first foal to race out of Daring Dancer, who won the Lake George (G2), and she has been working well for Jonathan Thomas, who wins with 26% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days. #9 Beacon of Truth (8-1) lost chances through a slow start when unplaced as the favorite in her debut over the course and distance late last month. Blinkers are added by trainer Trombetta, who wins with 17% of his second-time starters. Daughter of American Pharoah is out of a half-sister to Spun Sugar, who won the Apple Blossom (G1).

Race 5

#2 Devant (6-1) has been unplaced facing better in latest outings, most recently when weakening at Belmont over 7 furlongs in early June. Chestnut won the Prix Miesque (G3) as a juvenile before joining the barn of Graham Motion, who has won with 23% of his runners at this meet. Filly has been working well and may have found a good spot to win for the first time in this country.

Del Mar

Race 6

Neil Drysdale wins with 13% of his runners making their first start in this country and saddles #2 Sicilia (5-1), who has not raced since finishing a close third of 16 runners at Chantilly in November. Daughter of excellent European sire Kingman is out of a full sister to Footstepsinthesand, who won the 2000 Guineas (G1), and she has been working well for Drysdale, who has won with one of his nine runners this meet. Filly facing males gets Lasix and can be along late with Van Dyke in the saddle.

Woodbine

Race 7

#5 Canadian Magic (6-1) may have needed her latest when unplaced on the main track here this month being her first outing since December. Trainer Banach wins with 21% of his runners second off a layoff and daughter of Magician has a record of 7-2-1-1 on turf. Filly appears set for a good effort with Hernandez retaining the mount.