Expert Pick of the Week: 2026 Whitney Stakes

Aug 05, 2026 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Sovereignty wins the Travers at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

A stellar cast of eight has been entered to contest the historic $1 million Whitney (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday. Six of the eight in the heavyweight tussle have achieved success at the top level with Grade 1 victories, and the 1 1/8-mile tilt on the dirt is arguably the deepest and most fascinating race of the summer.

Trainer Bill Mott will enter two for the contest, and I feel that both will be major contenders. Leading the way is reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty, who will be making his third run of the season. The Godolphin homebred turned heads on the course last campaign with three wins from as many tries, led by dominant tallies in both the Belmont (G1) and Travers (G1). By Into Mischief, the strapping four-year-old has not been as sharp from his two efforts leading up to this, but he has excuses for both and will thrive on Saturday in his return to this track. While the nine furlongs might be a bit short for him, the bay will be at his peak, nonetheless, with Junior Alvarado on board.

Baeza, also from the fantastic Mott barn, has been his own worst enemy in two defeats in 2026 when spotting his rivals lengths out of the gate. The ultra-talented son of McKinzie was a close third in the Alysheba (G2) at Churchill on May 1, which preceded a huge second in the Stephen Foster (G1) most recently after breaking tardily once again. Third in the 2025 Belmont and second in the Jim Dandy (G2) from two career runs at The Spa, the well-bred four-year-old does some of his best work at 1 1/8 miles, evidenced by his finishing in the exacta in all four attempts at the distance, and the $2.1 million earner should get a strong early pace to rally into turning for home, as well. Top pilot Flavien Prat will be in the silks atop the contender once again.

Expert Pick

An exacta with #6 Sovereignty on top of #8 Baeza in the 2026 Whitney Stakes is the Best Bet of the Week.