Tipsheet: 2026 Manhattan Stakes

A superb cast of nine grassy specialists will run 1 3/16 miles on the lawn at Saratoga in Saturday’s lucrative, $1 million Manhattan (G1). 

2026 Manhattan Stakes Picks

• #6 Bright Picture
• #5 Deterministic
• #7 Rhetorical

2026 Manhattan Stakes Wagers

• $15 win and place #6 Bright Picture
• $10 exacta 6 with 5,7

2026 Manhattan Stakes Contenders

#1 TIZ DASHING (30-1): Longshot from the barn of Barclay Tagg is a multiple Grade 3 winner who is capable of a big run on his best day. The bay son of Tiz the Law is a question mark at this distance, like many, and he will be seen saving ground throughout the tilt. He would be a surprise under Javier Castellano. 

#2 TEST SCORE (12-1): Amerman homebred captured the Pegasus Turf (G1) two back but failed to fire in the Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs last time out. The classy son of Lookin at Lucky has eclipsed four graded stakes races to date, and he has also won or placed in three of his four local runs. Manny Franco will be in the stirrups. 

#3 MAKE ME KING (8-1): Dark Angel gelding has been very good this campaign with a Group 2 win, a fourth in the Dubai Turf (G1), and a rallying second in the Turf Classic (G1) in 2026. The gray gelding didn’t look tired going nine panels last time, so he might appreciate the added ground with Jose Ortiz back in the silks. 

#4 INTEGRATION (12-1): Quality Road six-year-old missed by a head in the 2025 edition and can’t be ignored at a nice price for trainer Shug McGaughey. The $1.8 million earner had a nice prep for this when beating allowance runners at the distance at Aqueduct last time, and he might peak in his third run off the break, as well. John Velazquez has the call. 

#5 DETERMINISTIC (7-2): Multiple Grade 1 victor has compiled a fine 9-6-2-1 mark on the turf in his career and rides in on a four-race win streak dating back to last season for Miguel Clement. The Liam’s Map five-year-old has reportedly been in awesome form in the mornings of late, and while he’s no sure thing at 1 3/16 miles, he bagged the race last campaign at 1 1/8 miles and is a must-use on Saturday. Kendrick Carmouche stays in the silks. 

#6 BRIGHT PICTURE (3-1): Top pick from the barn of living legend Andre Fabre will make his first appearance in the U.S. in this spot, and he gets top billing, with Flavien Prat picking up the mount. The Intello gelding has run three big races in succession in 2026 and has never been better for a master conditioner who doesn’t ship to the states unless it is warranted. 

#7 RHETORICAL (2-1): Excellent New York-bred is a two-time Grade 1 hero coming off a facile romp in the Turf Classic on Derby Day in his second appearance of the season. The gelded son of Not This Time owns three wins and a third from four local runs to date, and the five-year-old also has the gate presence to be close in the heat from the opening bell. He will be formidable with Irad in the controls. 

#8 ONE STRIPE (6-1): Multiple Group 1 winner has acclimated well to racing in North America since the winter and was last seen rallying to be a fine runner-up in the Makers’ Mark Mile (G1) at Keeneland in April. The second from the Motion barn is another who is unproven at this distance, but his form is good, and he has a ton of back class, too. Gavin Lerena coming in to ride is a big positive. 

#9 BATTLE OF NORMANDY (20-1): Second from the McGaughey shedrow gets a tricky post on the outside of this fine field and will need a lifetime best showing to upset this elite group. The City of Light six-year-old is winless in four races dating back to 2024, but he’s going well right now and has proven to be a fan of the Saratoga grass. Dylan Davis will pilot the potential exotics contender.