Holland's North American free racing picks for Aug. 21

Handicapper Tim Holland looks to start the weekend off on a winning note with plays from Saratoga, Woodbine, Ellis Park, and Arlington Park on Friday.

Saratoga

Race 8

Trainer Thomas wins with 24% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days and saddles #8 Noble Emotion (5-1), who has been gelded since fading to finish unplaced after leading early in the Awad S. at Belmont in October. Son of decent young turf sire Novel Mission is out of a mare by Curlin and has been working well for Thomas, who wins with 25% of his starters on grass. Bay won his one previous start sprinting on turf and can be forwardly placed throughout with Saez in the saddle.

Woodbine

Race 1

Bottom level maiden claimers include #3 Katz On the Moon (6-1), a debuting son of young sire Katz My Song, whose few offspring to race have won 20% of their first outings. Dark bay posted a sharp 3-furlong work in :36 a week ago and trainer McKnight wins with 27% of his first-time starters. Gelding is likely ready for a good first outing under Kimura, who has won with 17% of rides for the barn in the past 60 days.

Ellis Park

Race 9

#7 Treasury (15-1) makes his first start for trainer Mackey with Lasix added off an unplaced effort in his debut over 6-furlongs on the main track at Gulfstream in mid-June. Gelding should be suited to sprinting on grass being by Speighstown and out of a mare by Medaglia d’Oro. Dark bay posted a solid 5-furlong work in 1:01 4/5 at the Thoroughbred Training Center a week ago and can show more here with Morales in the irons.

Arlington Park

Race 7

Trainer Silva won with three of his last 12 first-time starters and saddles #6 Joan’s Way (12-1), who has a good win-early pedigree being by Cairo Prince and out of a mare by Tale of the Cat. Filly is a half-sister to four winners and has worked forwardly for Silva, who has won with 19% of his runners this year. Gray is worth a shot at likely good odds with Tavares riding.

Race 8

Maidens on grass include #4 Sing Me Home (4-1), a daughter of Muhaarar, who is out of a half-sister to Travers (G1) winner Stay Thirsty and from the close family of Without Parole, who won the St. James Palace (G1). Filly showed little in her debut at Belmont in early-July but makes her first start for trainer Walsh, who wins with 15% of his runners that have not raced for 46-90 days. Dark bay should find this company easier with Orm aboard.