Welcome to summer in Saratoga, where the horses are fast, the stakes are high, and the vibes are unbeatable. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just getting into the sport, there’s no better way to stay dialed in for all 40 days of racing than with a friendly fantasy-style betting pool.

Here are two easy-to-run pool ideas that bring the thrill of racing to your group chat. One keeps you locked in every day with jockeys and trainers. The other lets you pop in on weekends and bet like a pro. Let’s dive in.

If you’re the type who loves checking standings, talking smack, and chasing that slow climb to the top, this is your game.

Irad Ortiz Jr. is a talented, fan-favorite at Saratoga. (Eclipse Sportswire)

First, make a tiered grid with 2–3 jockeys or trainers on each line. You can dig into past Saratoga meets to find the usual suspects like jockeys Irad Ortiz Jr. and Flavien Prat, trainers Chad Brown and Todd Pletcher, plus some out-of-towners who swing by for big stakes days.

We have a starter template at America’s Best Racing to get you rolling, simply make a copy and get started. Each player selects one jockey and one trainer per line. Every win they rack up during the meet earns you one point.

Did someone forget to make a pick? No worries, simply give them the first name listed on that line.

From there, you sit back, watch, and (hopefully) win. The player with the most points at the end of the meet takes home the title and maybe some cash if you’re playing for a pot. You can pay out the top 3 or 5 finishers. It’s your pool, so you make the rules.

Pairing hot jockey-trainer combos, like Jose Ortiz and Linda Rice a few summers ago, or Flavien Prat and Chad Brown, can give you an edge.

If you’re more of a weekend player, then this other pool option is for you.

Here’s how it works. Choose 10 stakes races from the Saratoga meet. Think Grade 1s like the Dunkin’ Diana Stakes, Whitney Stakes, and DraftKings Travers Stakes. Be sure to include both turf and dirt races to keep things interesting. Each player picks one horse per race.

Scoring goes like this:

• 6 points for picking the winner
• 2 points for second
• 1 point each for third and fourth

You can award bonus points if someone picks a horse who wins at double-digit odds. Saratoga is called the “graveyard of champions” for a reason, so that underdog magic should keep everyone in the game until the final furlong of the summer.

Big racedays are special at The Spa. (Eclipse Sportswire)

Here is a list of suggested races from the America’s Best Racing team to get you started.

If you’re feeling extra generous, write up a little horse-by-horse preview for each race. Or just share America’s Best Racing’s race analysis features.

Whether you’re all-in every race day or just dipping your toes in on Saturdays, these Saratoga pools are an awesome way to stay connected, competitive, and fully invested in the summer racing season. You don’t need to be a racing expert. Grab some friends, set your stakes, and enjoy the races.