Holland's North American free racing picks for Aug. 15

Saratoga

Race 6

Trainer Cox wins with 26% of his second-time starters and saddles #4 Swill (9-2), who comes off a second-place finish in his debut at Keeneland last month behind Therideofalifetime, who had the advantage of a previous outing and who finished second in the Saratoga Special (G2) in his next outing. Son of Munnings cost $265K as a yearling and can be in good position from the start with Castellano riding.

Race 8

#4 Domestic Spending (6-1) impressed when winning his first two starts but was unable to overcome a slow start when third behind two of today’s rivals in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (G2) in his latest last month. Son of excellent young European sire Kingman is closely related to Queen’s Trust, who won the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1). Trainer Brown wins with 28% of his runners on turf and, with a better start, gelding can be along in time with Irad Ortiz remaining aboard.

Race 11

Maidens going one mile on grass include #3 Brickyard (15-1), who did not get the best of trips when unplaced over 5 1/2 furlongs in his latest here last month in his first start since his debut in September. Son of Take Chage Indy should be suited by the added distance and trainer Pugh won with one of his last four runners going from a sprint to a route. Bay can be forwardly placed early and gets a positive rider change to Santana.

Laurel Park

Race 3

Kelly Rubley has won with 18% of runners at this meet and saddles #3 Righteousness (4-1), who has not raced since fading to finish unplaced in his debut over 7 furlongs at Belmont over 15 months ago, when in the Clement barn. Son of Uncle Mo is a half-brother to Belmont S. (G1) runner-up Gronkowski and has been working well for Rubley, who wins with 11% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days. Gelding may be tough here with Pimentel in the saddle.

Race 8

#4 Xmasinthecity (5-1) won one of his four previous starts sprinting on grass and has not been seen since fading to finish a well-beaten second at this distance on the main track in November. Son of good turf sprint sire City Zip has been working well for trainer Trombetta, who wins with 16% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days. Chestnut can be on or near the early lead under Pimentel, who has won with 15% of his rides for the barn in the past two months.

Monmouth Park

Race 9

#7 Flighty Almighty (8-1) has not raced since flattening out to finish sixth at Tampa in May in her first North American start and first outing for trainer Clement. Daughter of Elusive Quality is out of Wall of Sound, who finished third in the Goldikova (G2), and Clement wins with 14% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days. Filly can be along from off the pace with Juarez in the saddle.

Woodbine

Race 4

Maidens on the Tapeta main track include #8 Tapitlikeitshot (6-1), who has not been seen since showing little after being steadied on the first turn over one mile on grass at Gulfstream in April in her second outing. Trainer Casse wins with 17% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days and daughter of Tapit is out of Gold Mover, winner of the Princess Rooney (G2). Gray posted a sharp 5-furlong work from the gate in :59 10 days ago and can show more here under Kimura, who has won with 18% of rides for the barn in the past 60 days.

Race 6

Blinkers are added to #3 Say Hey (10-1) off a sixth-place finish in an even effort over 6 furlongs on this oval last month in her first start for trainer Attard. Daughter of Pivotal has won one of six career outings and has worked well since her last outing for Attard, who has been having a good meet winning with 20% of his runners. Filly can be closer to the early pace with Contreras taking the mount.