Tipsheet: 2026 Salvator Mile Stakes

A really good group of nine older males will travel eight panels on the Monmouth Park dirt in Saturday’s $150,000 Salvator Mile (G3), one of four stakes events on the big day of racing. 

Salvator Mile Stakes Picks

• #6 Bishops Bay
• #9 East Avenue
• #2 Grande

Salvator Mile Stakes Wagers

• $15 win and place #6 Bishops Bay
• $2 trifecta 6 with 2,9 with all
• $1 trifecta 6 with all with 2,9

Salvator Mile Contenders

#1 GIOCOSO: Desormeaux pupil has done most of his damage on the lawn and will try the main oval once again in his local bow. The Not This Time colt will make his third run of the season from a good post, but he would be a surprise in the deep field with Sammy Marin on board. 

#2 GRANDE: Curlin colt suffered his first unplaced result in the Alysheba (G2) last time out but has every right to rebound in this offering. The dark bay from the Pletcher barn is two-for-two at the trip and has a versatile running style that can adapt to any pace. The prime win threat will have Rajiv Maragh in the silks. 

#3 POINT DUME: Fleet gelding from the Kreiser shedrow bagged the Carter (G2) at Aqueduct two back, then finished unplaced in the Churchill Downs (G1) last time out. The Into Mischief five-year-old is the likely pace of the race, and he owns a pair of wins at the trip, so he can’t be discounted with Angel Cruz taking the reins. 

#4 GRAND MO THE FIRST: Grade-1-placed stakes winner was a smart allowance winner in his 2026 debut last time out and will be a forward presence in a field with a lot of early gas. The Victor Barboza pupil could take a step forward in his second run off the break and wouldn’t be a major shock with leading pilot Paco Lopez in the controls. 

#5 OTTER MISCHIEF: Preciado pupil has won or placed in nine straight offerings and will get a class test in this endeavor. The four-year-old colt has never been better and is yet another with very good gate presence in the field. The speedy son of Maximus Mischief will be in the mix early with Andy Hernandez on board. 

#6 BISHOPS BAY: Top choice from the Brad Cox barn is a four-time graded winner who dominated this event in 2025. The Uncle Mo six-year-old, who brought $1.3 million in November, was second to a sharp winner in his first run back since returning from the desert at Aqueduct ahead of this, and he will move up back at this venue on Saturday. Flavien Prat comes in to ride. 

#7 SEA STREAK: Top local hope from the Owens barn will make his second run since 2024 and looks to be in a tough spot against this group. The 2024 Long Branch S. romper will have Sonny Leon in the silks. 

#8 OFFALY COOL: Talented son of Kantharos has finished first or second in 16 of 21 lifetime runs to date but faces a stiff test on this occasion. Now in the barn of Julio Rodriguez, the bay is six-for-10 at the distance and should benefit from drawing outside of most of the pace in the race, too. Abner Adorno will be in the stirrups and rally the gelding from off the pace at a price. 

#9 EAST AVENUE: Grade 1 victor from the Walsh barn has run a pair of positive races this campaign and might peak in his third run off the layoff. The bay son of Medaglia d’Oro possesses the tactical speed to get into range early, and I expect him to be a menacing figure in the lane after having a clear journey throughout the contest. Tyler Gaffalione riding adds to his appeal.