Exotics Plays for the Bowling Green Stakes

A total of seven are entered for the lawn in Saturday’s $250,000 Bowling Green (G2) at Saratoga. The 1 3/8 contest on the inner turf features an interesting group at a fairly unique distance, and I will dabble with multiple runners in what appears to be a mostly wide-open tilt. 

Bowling Green Exotics

• $2 exacta box 1,4,5,6 ($24)
• $1 trifecta key 1 with 4,5,6 with all ($15)
• 50-cent superfecta box 1,4,5,6 ($12)

#1 Ole Crazy Bone was assigned the rail for his first run at this venue and has been sharp in three runs since being claimed by this outfit. The Ghostzapper gelding capped 2025 with a daylight win in the lucrative Kentucky Cup Turf (G2) in August, and the six-year-old kicked off this campaign with a nice runner-up result in a deep allowance tilt at Churchill Downs on May 21. His latest showing at 1 1/16 miles was a fine prep for today, and the tactical dark bay will endure a fine trip potentially on the lead while saving ground throughout the race, as well. Flavien Prat will be in the stirrups. 

I’m not ready to give up on Grade-1 winner #5 Carson’s Run just yet for trainer Miguel Clement. The Cupid five-year-old really likes this turf course and was a winner in the 2024 Jockey Club Derby (G3) in his lone prior run at today’s distance, too. The Kentucky-bred chestnut has not shown much from a pair of tires in 2026, but his works have been steady, and a return to The Spa will be a good thing for the $1.6 million earner. Joel Rosario will ride, and the price will be fair. 

#6 Minaret Station was a bit unlucky when rallying to be second-best behind the surging Lagynos in the Arlington (G3) in his second run off the shelf and could peak third time back. The William Walden-trained colt is a mystery at the distance, but he is very talented and wouldn’t be a surprise in his first run at this extended trip. The Instilled Regard four-year-old will stalk the action from the break beneath Jose Ortiz. 

#4 Fort George is the wildcard in the heat, but has to be included for trainer Ed Walker. The Grade 3 winner was a clear second in the Dubai City of Gold (G2) two back behind living legend Rebel’s Romance, and he wasn’t disgraced behind Ombudsman and others in the Dubai Turf (G1) in his latest venture. The Territories four-year-old has shown nice improvement in 2026 and will be dangerous in his stateside bow under Kieran Shoemaker.