In The Money Telegraph
Saturday, June 27, 2026 · By ITM Staff
One of the biggest betting Saturdays of the summer is here — a $2 million headliner at Churchill, contests everywhere you look, and stakes from Maryland to Canada. Let’s get to it.
A Huge Betting Saturday
The centerpiece is at Churchill Downs, where reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty returns in the $2 million Grade 1 Stephen Foster, looking to rebound from a defeat to White Abarrio in his 4-year-old debut. It’s a short but stacked field that also draws White Abarrio, Magnitude and Baeza, with a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Breeders’ Cup Classic on the line. The Foster goes as race 11 on a 12-race program loaded with seven stakes worth more than $4 million.
It’s the biggest contest day of the weekend, too. Laurel’s De Francis Dash Handicap Challenge runs today — on-site sign-up is 11 AM–1 PM (cash only), and Xpressbet players can still get in until noon ET. TwinSpires runs its $3,500 Stephen Foster Betting Challenge (entries close 4:00 PM ET), and our ITM HorsePlayers Tour BCBC qualifier goes today as well.
One value angle to circle: there’s a carryover in the late Pick 5 at Laurel today — a sequence that already runs at a low 12% takeout, across a card stacked with four stakes. A strong spot to take a swing.
Today’s Cards: Free Analysis From the ITM Team
Full-card written analysis from our handicappers at four tracks today:
Laurel. Will Humphrey’s Tips and Trips covers the 11-race, four-stakes card top to bottom. Read →
Monmouth. Eric Solomon’s full card, headlined by the $75K Jersey Girl Handicap; first post 12:50 PM ET. Read →
Colonial Downs. Michael Domabyl’s #TheCheatSheet for the first big Saturday of the meet — the first two stakes (the Brookmeade and Edward P. Evans) plus the fan-favorite Corgi Races and free family admission. Read →
Los Alamitos. Dean Keppler’s selections and best bets for the Saturday card out West. Read →
On ITM Today
It’s a packed Saturday, and we’ve got it covered:
Stephen Foster Day. JK and Churchill morning-line maker Nick Tammaro go through the card and the Derby City Pick 6 sequence, which builds to a mandatory payout Sunday. ▶ Watch →
Laurel. PTF and Dan Illman of the Maryland Jockey Club preview the Laurel card and the De Francis contest. ▶ Watch →
Woodbine. It’s Canada Day with five stakes on tap — Mikee P and Jackson Muniz tackle the $5 stakes Pick 3 across the Highlander, Royal North and Dominion Day. ▶ Watch →
Colonial Downs. PTF and Michael Domabyl go through Colonial’s first big Saturday card, the meet’s first two stakes included. ▶ Watch →
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