How to bet the 2026 New York Stakes

A classy cast of nine fillies and mares will jaunt 1 3/16 miles over the Saratoga green in Friday’s ultra-competitive, $750,000 New York (G1). Trainer Chad Brown has four of the contenders in the affair, but I will look elsewhere for my top choice. 

New York Wagers

• $10 win and place #4 Laurelin ($20)
• $2 exacta key box 4 with 6,7,9 ($12)
• $1 exacta box 4,6,7,9 ($12)
• 50-cent trifecta 4 with 6,7,9 with all ($10.50)

The Graham Motion-trained #4 Laurelin (8-1) has lost her last three after going five-for-five to kickstart her career, but I feel that she has a chance to get back to her winning ways at a price in this difficult assignment. The Grade 2-winning daughter of Zarak prepped for the contest in the Beaugay (G3) at Aqueduct on May 9 and checked in third over a distance shorter than her best one. The chestnut was a stylish winner in her lone prior run at The Spa, where she earned a lifetime-best 100 Brisnet Speed rating, and that tilt was contested at the same 1 3/16-mile distance, too. Kendrick Carmouche will be on board and might have the four-year-old on the lead early. 

Reigning Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) heroine #9 Gezora (3-1) didn’t put in her best performance in her seasonal debut, finishing second in the Modesty (G3) on Kentucky Oaks Day and will be saddled by trainer Bill Mott for the initial time. The Almanzor four-year-old has been a high-quality lass since her juvenile campaign and is among the better turf distaffers in training. The bay has shown her class at multiple distances leading up to Friday, and the filly will have a clear voyage when breaking from the outside post in the tilt, with John Velazquez inheriting the mount. 

French import #6 Cankoura (10-1) was a good third behind Gezora in the Diane (G1) at Chantilly in June and could be any kind in her stateside debut. The gray daughter of Persian King from the fantastic Graffard barn was a solid fourth in her seasonal bow at Saint Cloud on May 1 and will be tighter on Saturday with one under her belt. Clement Lecoeuvre comes in to guide the logical win threat. 

Brown’s #7 City Girl (8-1) has experience running similar distances from her time in Europe and comes off a fine win when toppling my leading selection last time out. The talented five-year-old daughter of City Light will stretch out from 1 1/16 miles in her third run of the season and looks like another value contender in the especially deep cast. Irad taking the reins adds to the mare's appeal.