NYRA/Coglianese Photo

Saturday's Cross Country Pick 5 features action from Saratoga Race Course, Ellis Park, Finger Lakes and Saratoga Harness

by Brian Bohl

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will host a Cross Country Pick 5 on Saturday, July 20 featuring action from historic Saratoga Race Course, Ellis Park in Henderson, Kentucky, Finger Lakes in Farmington, New York and the Saratoga Harness track, located less than two miles from the Spa.

The first leg will take place at Finger Lakes in Race 7 at 3:52 p.m. Eastern with the 33rd running of the $75,000 New York Oaks for state-bred 3-year-old fillies. A five-horse field of contenders features veterans of the NYRA circuit, including the Linda Rice-trained Newly Minted, the David Donk-conditioned Elegant Zip and Espresso Shot, trained by Jorge Abreu.

Stakes action continues at Finger Lakes in Race 8 with the 47th running of the $150,000 New York Derby for New York-bred 3-year-olds, featuring Rice's Blindwillie McTell and entries from a pair of Hall of Fame trainers, with Durkin's Call [for Bill Mott] and Bankit [Steve Asmussen]. Among the other contenders are Not That Brady, for trainer Rudy Rodriguez, and Just Right, trained by Todd Pletcher.

Ellis Park will host the third leg with a $50,000 maiden for fillies and mares in Race 8 at 5:10 p.m.

The fourth leg will be the last thoroughbred race for the Pick 5, with Saratoga hosting the eighth running of the $200,000 Caress. Carded as Race 10 on the Spa's 11-race card, the Caress, a 5 ½-furlong sprint for older fillies and mares on the Mellon turf, will showcase nine contenders, led by the Chad Brown-trained Significant Form. Other contenders include Broadway Run, trained by John Terranova, Factorofwon, conditioned by Christophe Clement, and Mrs. Ramona G., for trainer Jeremiah Englehart. Post time is 6:21 p.m.

Concluding the Pick 5 will be harness action, with the $260,000 Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Pace. Eight horses will look to win the one-mile race, with the race set to go off at 9:05 p.m. from Saratoga Casino Hotel.

The minimum bet for the multi-track, multi-race wager is 50 cents. Wagering on the Cross Country Pick 5 is also available on track, on ADW platforms, and at simulcast facilities across the country. There will be a mandatory payout of the entire pool.

Saratoga Race Course - Finger Lakes - Ellis Park - Saratoga Harness - Cross Country Pick 5

Leg A: Finger Lakes - $75,000 New York Oaks (Race 7, 3:52 p.m.)

Leg B: Finger Lakes - $150,000 New York Derby (Race 8, 4:19 pm)

Leg C: Ellis Park - $50,000 (Race 8, 5:10 pm)

Leg D: Saratoga - $200,000 Caress (Race 10, 6:21 pm)

Leg E: Saratoga Harness - $260,000 Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial (Race 7, 9:05 p.m.)