In The Money Telegraph
Tuesday, July 7, 2026 · By ITM Staff
The Spa is dark today, so the news is all about what’s coming — and one August afternoon is shaping up as a heavyweight.
The Whitney Is Loading Up
The $1 million Whitney (Aug. 8) is turning into the showdown of the summer. Bill Mott has confirmed he’ll send 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty — winless in two starts this year — straight back at the best older horses, and run Baeza alongside him. The race could also draw Magnitude, White Abarrio, and possibly Met Mile winner Nysos.
The most intriguing name of all may be a filly: Mark Casse plans to run Nitrogen against the boys, chasing a piece of history — no filly has won the Whitney since the great Personal Ensign in 1988. And while the older horses collide Aug. 8, the sophomores are pointing to the Travers (Aug. 29): Cherie DeVaux — the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner — will skip the Jim Dandy with her Derby and Belmont hero Golden Tempo and train him up to the Midsummer Derby from Keeneland.
One scheduling note if you’re planning your week: Saratoga is dark Monday through Wednesday, and returns Thursday, July 9 — unusually, with no stakes on the comeback card.
Playing & Watching Today
The weekend, recapped. PTF and JK go back through a huge opening weekend at the Spa — the big July 4th stakes, standout performances, horses to watch, and the betting angles that emerged for the meet ahead. ▶ Watch on YouTube →
Presque Isle Downs. With Saratoga dark, Chance Rains has today’s eight-race card over the Erie tapeta (first post 3:30 p.m. ET), with an eye on the weather and a jockey-standings race that shook up on Monday. Read →
Start Your NHC Journey: LRF Cares Feeders
A cheap way to chase a big prize for a good cause: HorsePlayers.com runs low-cost ($14) Pick & Pray feeders into the LRF Cares Charity Challenge Qualifier — an on-ramp toward Little Red Feather’s July 18 LRF Cares contest at Del Mar, which benefits Thoroughbred aftercare and puts a path to the 2027 NHC in play. Fresh feeders post regularly, so check the board every day. Find the LRF Cares feeders on HorsePlayers.com →
ITM Plus
Nick’s Notebook Is Here for Saratoga
Churchill Downs morning-line maker Nick Tammaro brings his Saratoga notebook to ITM Plus — detailed written analysis and angles every day of the meet, alongside exclusive podcasts and premium selections right through to the Breeders’ Cup.
More all week at inthemoneypodcast.com, with daily previews on the ITM YouTube channel and premium tips on ITM Plus.
