Happy Spinaway Day! 

We are entering the last weekend of the meet and the leading rider, trainer and owners races are all up for grabs. Going into Friday’s card Chad Brown has open a five win lead over Linda Rice (38-33). Klaravich leads Linda Rice by four wins (15-11) in the race for top owner. The jockey race is interesting as Jose Ortiz (65) leads Flavian Prat (64) buy one, and Manny Franco (63) by two wins. But Jose Ortiz is riding at Kentucky Downs Saturday-Monday and Prat will be here Sunday and Monday as well. Franco will stay here and has a mount in every race on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (36 mounts in total). The all-time record for jock wins (68) is within reach. It was set in 2012 by Ramon Dominguez during a 40 day meet.  

Trivia Question: Who won the 2025 Saratoga jockey, trainer, and owner titles? 

Race 2 – The With Anticipation – Grade 3 

One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Inner Turf for Two Year Olds 

1. Howard’s Hope: Gelding won on debut over this surface as he came from well off the pace to run down the favorite (59 Beyer) at today’s distance. It was not the fastest race but it was visually impressive – although he was aided by a strong early pace. Exotics.
2. Liam’s Law: Colonel Liam colt didn’t do much running in an off the turf race at the Big A. But no worries as this one was meant for the turf. Came back in a turf route race over this course and took the field the whole way as he set the pace and held off the closers to win by a length plus (67 Beyer). Pletcher trainee could be loose on the lead. Inside speed on the Inner Turf. Santana takes over for Prat who stays with High Official. The Pick.
3. High Official: Cross Entered in the Hopeful Stakes on Sunday and reports indicate Pletcher is  leaning running there instead. Won his first outing for Pletcher going today’s distance over this turf course as he sat mid-pack behind a strong pace and came running to roll by the field – he was a bit of a handful as he wanted to lug in but Prat had it handled (70 Beyer). Prat stays here. Minor award if he runs.
4. Bold Leadership: $875k maiden is the third Pletcher trainee in this compact field. He was much the best in his only race only losing a head bob after he was four wide on both turns and still got up to be head in head with Oscar who was able to hug the hedge (70 Beyer). Manny Franco takes over with Jose Ortiz at Kentucky Downs. Should be coming late. Win candidate.
5. Perfect Dream: Cross entered at Colonial Downs in the Kittens Joy Stakes, but reports indicate they will run here. Jorge Delgado ships in from Monmouth Park off a win where he sat chilly in the pocket and then ran down the leader. The Beyer team didn’t produce speed figure due to a lack of data needed to produce an accurate number. TimeformUS did produce a fig and they have that Monmouth race as slower than ones the competitors posted leading into this race. Nice to see Chantal Sutherland with a mount back at Saratoga, she’s been riding well at Monmouth and is third in their jockey standings this Summer. Use Underneath.

Picks 2-4-3-5  

Race 11 – The Spinaway – Grade I 

Seven Furlongs on the Dirt for Two Year Old Fillies 

1. Bandmaster: Broke her maiden first out and went to the Adirondack where she stayed on the rail and finished fourth as she ran evenly in the stretch – pretty good for a 51-1 shot. Fired a bullet last week at Belmont in advance of today (4f 47.0 1/93). Has a chance at a price.
2. Summer Starlet: She was impressive first out in a MSW as she was at the back of the pack and came running at the 3/8th pole to win by six lengths (87 Beyer). Another half-furlong should suit this City of Light filly. She’ll get pace to run into. Contender.
3. Cha Cha Baby: First race for the Butch Reid barn after being sold for $460k at auction after breaking her maiden where she won like a 3/5 shot while turf sprinting (79 Beyer) at Delaware Park. Will need a move forward to contend. 
4. Stress Relief: Won on debut going five furlongs at Churchill and then shipped to the Spa for the Adirondack Stakes. In the Adirondack she was off the pace and wide, but when asked she was much the best and was wrapped up late (70 Beyer). More ground should suit but that was not the fastest race. Looking elsewhere.
5. Girvy Girl: Broke her maiden at first asking at Gulfstream by fifteen lengths (78 Beyer) as the 3/5 favorite. Saffie Joesph then shipped her to the Spa and she had a couple of nice local works leading into this. Eligible for improvement in her second start. Gets a slice.
6. Harper’s Corner: Cathal Lynch trainee is undefeated in two starts as she won first out at Laurel and then dominated in the Schuylerville Stakes as she broke quickly and never looked back (88 Beyer) winning by five lengths. Has been working at Fair Hill since that win in early July and shows a bullet last week on the grass going 4F in 48.4 (1/27). Last work prior to the Schuylerville was also on the turf. Watch out.
7. Angel of Kirk: $500K Yaupon filly won her first MSW race as she was three wide early but put those rivals away as she was under a hand ride (77 Beyer). Franco takes over as Prat stays with Life Changing. Could be trouble with an improvement.
8. Life Changing: $1million filly won at first asking for Pletcher/Repole going six and half furlongs as she held sway the entire way (84 Beyer) winning by five lengths. She appears to be the speed of the speed and can be kept in the clear and pick her spot from this outside post. Prat moves here to replace Saez who is at Kentucky Downs. Sired by Life Is Good who has had a fantastic year with his first crop – his dirt sprinters have won at a 32% rate. Pletcher is 43% (3/7) over the past three years with two year olds going from a maiden race to dirt sprint stakes at Saratoga. Pletcher has won this race more than any other trainer – seven times. The Pick.

Picks 8-6-2-5 

Trivia Answer: In 2025 Irad Ortiz won the jockey title, Chad Brown and Todd Pletcher shared the training title, and Repole Stables led in the owner’s race.