Holland's North American free racing picks for Aug. 8

It will be an exciting day of racing, with the Travers (G1) and supporting stakes from Saratoga, and Tim Holland provides expert picks from across North America today.

Saratoga

Race 3

Trainer Brisset wins with 19% of his runners second time off a layoff and saddles #8 Drynachan (8-1), who made progress after a slow start to finish fourth over 7-furlongs at Belmont last month in her first start in over two years. Daughter of good turf sprint sire City Zip won one of her two starts over the course and distance and Brisset has won with 15% of his runners this year. Chestnut can be along from off the pace with Castellano retaining the mount.

Race 11

#4 Max Player (6-1) closed to finish third while wide behind rival Tiz the Law in the Belmont (G1) last time in June. Son of Honor Code has shown improvement in each of his outings for trainer Rice, who has won with 21% of her starters at this meet. Dark bay has been working well and should find a good pace to help his running style under Rosario.

Ellis Park

Race 6

Blinkers are added to #6 King Uhtred (6-1), who was not a factor when unplaced over 5 1/2 furlongs in his debut at Keeneland last month. Trainer Walsh has won with 15% of his runners this year and son of Declaration of War is a half-brother to one winner on grass. $250K yearling purchase should show improvement at this longer distance and Leparoux takes the mount.

Race 7

#4 Banks Island (5-1) has shown improvement winning his two latest outings, most recently when rallying from off the pace at Churchill in mid-June. Son of Tapit is out of a half-sister to Bernardini and trainer Walsh wins with 15% of his runners that have not raced for 46-90 days. Gray can be in good position throughout with Hernandez up.

Race 9

Another runner from the Walsh barn is #2 Extra Attention (5-1), who made some late progress while unplaced in her debut on grass here last August, from which race the winner and third place finisher both won next time out. Walsh wins with 22% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days and daughter of Medaglia d’Oro is out of a half-sister to Folklore, who won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Laurel Park

Race 4

Trainer Nixon won with two of his last 11 first-time starters and saddles #6 Bluefield (5-1), a debuting daughter of 12% first-out sire Field Commission. Filly is a half-sister to Beat the Blues, who won the Winning Colors (G3) and has been working forwardly for Nixon, who wins with 21% of his runners overall in maiden claiming events.

Del Mar

Race 11

#9 Wind and Hope (8-1) made late progress after a slow start in her debut over one mile at Santa Anita in May. Daughter of Tapit cost $535K as a yearling and has been working well since her first outing for trainer Callaghan, who wins with 16% of his runners on grass. Chestnut can be along from off the pace with Roman riding.