Stakes Spot Plays for Saratoga, Sunday June 7

A pair of graded races on the grass will take place at Saratoga on closing Sunday.

Race 4 – Poker (G3)

The one-mile tilt on the inner lawn has seven entered for the grass, as well as five main-track-only participants. Two-time Grade 1 victor #2 Zulu Kingdom is the class of the cast, and the consistently excellent four-year-old is surely the one to beat under Prat. The Irish-bred four-year-old led at every call in defeating a nice field in the Maker’s Mark Mile S. (G1) at Keeneland in his first run of 2026 and rates a huge chance with the measure of class relief in this spot. 

But for those looking for more value, #4 Capitol Hill is worth considering at a fair price. One of two in the field for Bill Mott, the Into Mischief colt was a smart allowance winner at Keeneland in his 2026 debut and will likely improve second off the shelf. The late-running four-year-old has found his niche as a miler and will have Junior Alvarado in the controls.

Race 8 – Soaring Softly (G3)

The 5 1/2-furlong dash for three-year-old fillies will have seven go postward on the green. Brian Lynch’s #4 Slay the Day captured the deep Limestone (G3) at Keeneland two back, then checked in a clear second in the Mamzelle (G3) beneath the Twin Spires most recently. The Into Mischief filly has been really good in each of her three lifetime runs on the lawn and will be formidable if she shows her best Sunday. She will press the pace from the break with John Velazquez retaining the mount.

#3 Cadenza is a perfect 2-for-2 on the sod in her lifetime and comes off a measured stakes victory at Aqueduct on May 9. The $385,000 yearling purchase possesses good tactical speed and a solid closing punch, and the daughter of Charlatan also broke her maiden locally in her lone prior outing at Saratoga. The Kentucky-bred chestnut will be asked for her best approaching the turn for home by Manny Franco.