By Jarrod Horak
The Grade 3 Kelso Stakes goes as Race 6 at Saratoga on Sunday, July 5. The $225,000 event is contested at one mile on the inner turf course for horses four years old and up, with a scheduled post time of 4:04 p.m. ET.
This year’s field features several familiar rivals, including horses exiting the Grade 3 Poker Stakes, making for an intriguing rematch with a potentially different pace scenario.
Pace Analysis
Several horses prefer to race on or near the lead, including Maycocks Bay, My Boy Prince, Itsallcomintogetha, and Mi Bago.
That projected pace should favor the tactical stalkers and late runners, particularly Zulu Kingdom if he returns to the running style that produced many of his biggest victories.
Rather than being committed to the front, he figures to save ground from the rail before making his move entering the stretch.
Race Overview
The morning-line favorite is Zulu Kingdom (5-2) for trainer Chad Brown with Flavien Prat aboard. A seven-time winner from 10 starts, Zulu Kingdom has been remarkably consistent throughout his career and owns a strong record at both Saratoga and the one-mile distance.
He enters this race after finishing third in the Grade 3 Poker Stakes, where he was sent to the front from the rail. While he has proven capable of winning on the lead, many of his best performances have come when tracking the pace before producing his finishing kick.
If Prat allows him to settle behind the early leaders this time, Zulu Kingdom could be in an ideal position turning for home.
Main Challengers
Pass the Hat
Pass the Hat arrives in excellent form after upsetting the Poker Stakes at 10-1. He pressed the pace before narrowly defeating stablemate Capitol Hill by a nose, with Zulu Kingdom finishing third.
His recent speed figures have improved noticeably, and his running style versatility gives jockey John Velazquez plenty of options depending on how the pace develops.
With three victories in his last four starts, Pass the Hat clearly deserves serious respect once again.
Cruise the Nile
Cruise the Nile disappointed as the favorite in the Grade 3 Dinner Party Stakes, but the cutback from 1 1/8 miles to one mile could make a significant difference.
He is undefeated in two starts at the mile distance and possesses enough tactical speed to secure a favorable trip before launching his rally.
Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill also exits the Poker Stakes after finishing a game second, beaten only a nose.
His recent form has been outstanding, producing two wins and two runner-up finishes over his last four races while steadily improving his speed figures. If he can work out a favorable trip from his outside draw, he’ll be making a strong late run.
Remaining Entrants
Maycocks Bay opened up early and captured the Grade 2 Eclipse Stakes at Woodbine on May 30. That race was a synthetic route and he hit the board in both previous turf attempts.
My Boy Prince has been successful sprinting on turf but remains winless in six attempts at one mile.
Neat pulled off an upset victory in the Cliff Hanger after saving ground throughout. While capable on his best day, his performances have lacked consistency.
Itsallcomintogetha makes his first start since December 2025. The 6-year-old New York-bred horse should impact the pace but probably won’t be around at the end.
Mi Bago dominated fellow New York-breds in the Kingston Stakes while controlling the pace, but this field presents much tougher early speed.
Cosmic Year made an encouraging U.S. debut for Chad Brown when finishing second by a neck in the Cliff Hanger Stakes. Improvement is possible in his second American start.
Tiz Dashing is capable of competing with these on his best day but he drew a tough post and is winless at this course and distance.