There wasn’t much incentive to leave the house this morning. The rain had stopped but upon opening the door to let out the dog, I was hit with a wave of humidity that screamed “bad hair day.”

Had I known some yummy sugar donuts were awaiting me at Bob Baffert’s barn, I would have been more inclined to giddy-up.

Besides the sweets, it was well worth the trip to visit with Baffert, and get an introduction to his very handsome Haskell winner, Coil.

Baffert has several horses at Saratoga at the moment; two are hitting the road Monday to return to Del Mar — Irrefutable and American Lady, who ran last as the second choice in Saturday’s Test. Filling one of those stalls will be Baffert’s West Virginia Derby winner, Prayer for Relief.

Baffert gave me a rundown on some of his Saratoga inhabitants; and a couple of his Del Mar denizens.

Irish Gypsy (running today in Saratoga’s Honorable Miss): “I think they put me in the one-hole and then draw the race,” Baffert joked. “That horse we beat last time [Ultra Blend] just won a Grade 1 [the Clement Hirsch at Del Mar on Saturday].”

Coil: “He’s happy and doing well here. I’m going to work him on Wednesday. I’m thinking Travers. He is a good-looking horse, isn’t he? He’s better looking than his daddy (Point Given).” (That’s saying a lot, Bob, since Point Given was a gorgeous horse.)

Prayer for Relief: “Big race yesterday. He’s on his way here now. Definitely thinking Travers.”

Plum Pretty (Coaching Club American Oaks runner-up): “She’ll work on Wednesday. Then we’ll see about the Alabama.”

The Factor (at Del Mar training for a possible return to the races in the Aug. 27 King’s Bishop at Saratoga): “I’m going to wait on bringing him here and get him ready there. This [main] track here is loose and cuppy right now. I would rather leave him at Del Mar for now.”

Saddleranch (won an allowance race July 23 at Saratoga): “Probably we’ll run him in the King’s Bishop.”

American Lady (last in the Test): “She’s fine. Looks good today. [Martin Garcia] said she was done after three-eighths, and he just eased up on her. Just wasn’t her day.”

Dreamcaster (Westrock-owned maiden running in Sunday’s 6th at Del Mar): “She’s a Bernardini. Let me tell you, she can run.”

Hey Bob, thanks for the information and the donuts!

The male handicap division looks like a complete muddle to me. While perusing the probables for Saturday’s $750,000 Whitney Invitational at Saratoga, the picture didn’t become any clearer.

If Tizway steps up in the Whitney, a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and proves he is effective beyond a mile, he will gain plenty of respect from me. He’s a neat horse who has overcome myriad physical problems and it would be tremendous to see trainer Jim Bond’s patience with the horse rewarded with back-to-back Grade 1 victories.

Flat Out freaked in the Suburban with his 113 Beyer, but I’m doubtful he can duplicate another performance like that, especially in consecutive starts.

Trying to separate the other probables — Apart, Duke of Mischief, Friend or Foe, Giant Oak, Headache, Mission Impazible, Morning Line, Rail Trip, and Rodman — is no easy task.

I do, however, have a rooting interest in Giant Oak. The two-time Grade 1 winner will be making his first start in New York for trainer Chris Block, who has never started a horse at Saratoga.

I respect the son of Giant’s Causeway because he has landed in many a tough spot during his 27-race career, yet usually manages to get a piece of the purse for his connections.

He has won on dirt, turf, and synthetic surfaces, and has earned $1.3 million. If you’re a trainer or owner, Giant Oak is the type of horse you want in your barn.

Sunday morning I spoke to Block, who was at Arlington Park, after Giant Oak had his final work at Saratoga for the Whitney, and you could hear the enthusiasm in his voice in anticipation of his first trip to the historic track.

“It is exciting,” Block acknowledged. “I feel it’s a honor to have a horse who can compete in a Grade 1 at Saratoga. I’m really looking forward to it.”

As am I, if only to bring some clarity to the divisional picture.