How to bet the 2026 Kelso Stakes

An especially talented group will run one mile on the inner turf at Saratoga in Sunday’s $225,000 Kelso (G3). The eight-furlong turf test is a wildly competitive event with so many talented runners and so much speed that I have to find a late runner with value as my top choice. Trainer Bill Mott has a pair entered for the tilt, including my top choice, #11 Capitol Hill (10-1). By Into Mischief, the colt flashed good ability in 2025, and the four-year-old has seemed to take the next step this season after a pair of big runs to commence 2026. 

Kelso Wagers

• $10 win and place #11 Capitol Hill ($20)
• $2 exacta key box 11 with 1,6,8 ($12)
• 10-cent superfecta 1,11 with 1,6,8,11 with 1,6,8,11 with all ($9.60)

Capitol Hill, who was second in both the Manila (G3) and Poker (G3) on the course and at the distance, has found his niche as a miler and could peak the third time back in this tough assignment. He is far from the most accomplished runner in the group, but the bay is getting very good, and he has the right running style for the race, as well. Junior Alvarado retains the ride. 

Two-time Grade 1 winner #1 Zulu Kingdom (5-2) has gone to the lead early in each of his two assignments in 2026 for trainer Chad Brown, but I can’t envision the four-year-old getting the edge in this one, and that will be a good thing. The son of Ten Sovereigns is a two-time winner on the oval, a three-time victor at the distance, and he can surely rally from off the pace, too. I expect the consistently excellent Irish-bred to hug the rail on the back side prior to being asked for his best in the lane with Flavien Prat in the irons.  

#8 Mi Bago (12-1) sure looked the part in his first run with blinkers off last time when waltzing home in the Kingston S. on the course, and the son of Vekoma might be the speed-of-the-speed in this tilt. The Mark Casse trainee will need to improve and avoid a pace duel to be in the mix late against this deep field, but I was very impressed with how he ran with the equipment change in his latest venture and will include him with Jose Ortiz riding. 

Graham Motion’s #6 Cruise the Nile (8-1) burned a lot of money when finishing just third in the Dinner Party (G3) at Laurel Park on Preakness Day, but the talented son of Cairo Prince comes in fresh and will also cut back in distance, which will be to his benefit. The New Jersey-bred gelding was a comfortable winner in each of his three prior runs on the green, and he is surely capable of rating early and kicking on late. Regular pilot Ruiz will take the reins.