Turf marathons develop gradually, much like a lengthy novel, frequently saving their decisive turn for the final stretch.
This is especially evident in three‑turn races like the 1 3/8‑mile Bowling Green Stakes (G2), a test of stamina for elite turf performers since 1958. This year’s $250,000 Saratoga edition attracted seven runners, presenting a challenging handicapping scenario.
Ole Crazy Bone, Soleil Volant, Desvio, and Carson’s Run have each prevailed at 11 furlongs or longer. Carson’s Run alone boasts two wins over this course, though he has failed to hit the board in five attempts since July 2024. The 2‑1 morning‑line favorite, Minaret Station, possesses a strong finishing kick but remains untested beyond 1 1/16 miles; a modest pace could hinder his chances.
Bowling Green Odds: Fort George Emerges as a 9‑5 Wild Card
Fort George represents the wildcard entry; he spent the winter in Dubai, finishing runner‑up to two‑time Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) champion Rebel’s Romance, one of the era’s leading turf stayers.
Trained by England’s Ed Walker and ridden by Kieran Shoemark, Fort George excelled at Meydan, recording a victory and two runner‑up finishes in four stake outings. His ninth‑place effort in the Dubai Turf (G1) behind the eminent Ombudsman—a Group 1 scorer at Royal Ascot—should be discounted.
Walker commented on Fort George: “He’s a remarkably tough and genuine competitor. For a brief moment we believed we could unsettle Rebel’s Romance, a legend of international racing; simply sharing the track with him—and managing to finish second—was an achievement in itself.”
For bettors interested in the contest, below is a horse‑by‑horse breakdown of the Bowling Green (post time 5:39 p.m. ET), listed from the rail outward, with each runner’s trainer, jockey and morning‑line odds.
The runners, in post‑position order, are: Ole Crazy Bone (Flavien Prat, Mike Maker) at 5‑2; Flying Sun (Tyler Gaffalione, H. Graham Motion) at 12‑1; Detour (John Velázquez, Madison Meyers) at 12‑1; Fort George (Kieran Shoemark, Ed Walker) at 9‑5; Carson’s Run (Joel Rosario, Miguel Clement) at 10‑1; Minaret Station (Jose Ortiz, Will Walden) at 2‑1; and Carcano (Manny Franco, Victoria Oliver) at 15‑1.
Last Updated on 07/08/2026
(Yo Daddy, Kinetic, and Dr. Kraft are entered for the main track only.)
1 Ole Crazy Bone (Mike Maker, Flavien Prat, 5-2)
This represents another astute claim by Mike Maker, who has recorded a win and two placings from three starts. Flavien Prat’s tactical speed should allow him to gain an advantage in a modest‑pace field, and he excels at sitting just off the lead before making his move.
He has hit the board in five of his last six outings, posting a strong second‑place finish with a top speed figure in his sole 2026 appearance over 1 1/16 miles. Last summer he prevailed at 1½ miles, and Maker is known for successfully lengthening turf performers.
Betting verdict: Win contender
2 Soleil Volant (H. Graham Motion, Tyler Gaffalione, 12-1)
Stamina poses no issue for Soleil Volant, yet his recent speed figures have been modest. He came second wide in a 1 1/2‑mile listed stakes after capturing his only victory at 1 3/8 miles in an optional‑claimer event.
Betting verdict: Use underneath.
3 Detour (Madison Meyers, John Velázquez, 12-1)
Detour is winless in two starts this year, having been beaten by a combined 14 lengths, and sits in a 1‑for‑10 slump. His lone triumph came in the 1 1/2‑mile Sycamore (G2) at 34‑1 odds on a rain‑soaked track—an outcome that appears anomalous.
Betting verdict: Toss
4 Fort George (Ed Walker, Kieran Shoemark, 9-5)
His pedigree—featuring Rebel’s Romance and Ombudsman—stands out as the strongest in the field, and he has placed in eight of nine grass starts. Drawbacks include a layoff since March and the unfamiliar tight turns of Saratoga.
Betting verdict: Win contender
5 Carson’s Run (Miguel Clement, Joel Rosario, 10-1)
Carson’s Run shows affinity for the Saratoga layout, with two wins and a placing from four attempts, yet his recent form reads 0‑for‑5, having hit the board just once since July 2024. Trainer Miguel Clement remains upbeat about his prospects.
Clement remarked, “I expect him to handle the distance well. More importantly, he has been training sharply at Saratoga; after a brief period to regain fitness, he now shows signs of returning to peak form.”
Betting verdict: Use underneath
6 Minaret Station (Will Walden, Jose Ortiz, 2-1)
Minaret Station finished second last time over 1 1/16 miles, unleashing a rapid final sixteenth in roughly 5.5 seconds. Conditioner Will Walden—like Clement, a young trainer enjoying a promising start—does not view the distance as a concern.
Walden added, “I consider this horse exceptionally talented. My aim is to see him negotiate three turns and stretch beyond 10 furlongs; his performance could advance even further.”
Saturday’s running will reveal the answer.
Betting verdict: Win contender
7 Carcano (Victoria Oliver, Manny Franco, 15-1)
This represents a formidable test for a six‑year‑old making his stakes debut; realistic prospects appear slim.
Betting verdict: Toss
The Picks: Ole Crazy Bone, Minaret Station, Fort George
Ed McNamara is an award‑winning racing writer who has covered the sport since 1981 for outlets including The Bergen (N.J.) Record, Newsday, ESPN, Thorocap and USRacing. He authored *Cajun Racing: From the Bush Tracks to the Triple Crown* and *Racing Around the World*, and contributes to *The Most Glorious Crown* and *The Racetracks of America*. His work also appears in French and Italian racing publications.