Holland's North American free racing picks for Aug. 28

Tim Holland offers his free expert daily picks for this day in racing at Saratoga, Laurel Park, Ellis Park, Del Mar, and Penn National.

Saratoga

Race 9

A competitive field for the Lake George (G3) includes #6 Cat’s Pajamas (5-1), who flattened out to finish fifth after stalking moderate fractions over 9 furlongs in the Lake Placid (G2) as the favorite in her latest last month. Daughter of Street Sense has won two of three starts on grass for trainer Motion, who wins with 21% that were beaten as the favorite last time out and with 15% of his starters on grass. Bay should find a stronger pace to track and Velazquez remains aboard.

Race 10

#9 Adorable Maya (10-1) comes off a well-beaten third-place finish over 9 furlongs on the main track earlier this month in her second start of the year. Filly should be better suited to turf being out of a mare by Rahy who has produced four winners on grass, and trainer Bush wins with 10% of his runners third off a layoff. Filly can be running from off the pace with Cancel retaining the mount.

Laurel Park

Race 3

Tom Proctor wins with 17% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days and saddles #5 Hurricane Party (6-1), who has not been seen since fading to finish unplaced on a sloppy main track over 5 1/2 furlongs at Fair Grounds in his debut in February. Son of Medaglia d’Oro is out of a stakes-winning War Front mare who is a half-sister to Taris, winner of the Humana Distaff (G1). Bay has been gelded since his first outing and has been working well for Proctor, who has won with one of his seven runners this meet. 3-year-old should appreciate the surface change and extra distance with Carrasco riding.

Ellis Park

Race 5

Maidens on turf include #6 Beautiful Morning (10-1), who was steadied hard before finishing unplaced from a wide post in her debut at Keeneland in early July. Daughter of 17% grass sire Morning Line is out of a half-sister to Zoftig, winner of the Selene (G1), and trainer DeVaux wins with 13% of her runners that have not raced for 46-90 days. Gray has been working forwardly and can show more under Hernandez, who has won with one of his last two rides for the barn.

Del Mar

Race 5

#4 Spanish Count (5-1) has been gelded since making some belated progress after a slow start in his debut at Santa Anita in early January. Trainer Baltas wins with 18% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days, and son of excellent young turf sire Karakontie is a half-brother to American Oaks (G1) winner Spanish Queen. Improvement can be expected from the chestnut with Cedillo in the saddle.

Penn National

Race 11

Newcomer #3 Amazing Anna (5-1) has a good win-early pedigree being by 17% first-out sire Fast Anna and out of a mare by Gone West, whose offspring win 16% of their first outings. Filly is a half-sister to two winners and works include a 5-furlong move in a solid 1:01 2/5 from the gate a week ago for trainer Houghton, who wins with 11% of his first-time starters. Dark bay can win at first asking with Wolfsont up.