SARATOGA – 8/15/2025
By Nick Tammaro | @NTamm1215
SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS BROUGHT TO YOU BY @BUCCHEROSTUD | LEARN MORE AT http://IHSTALLIONS.com
RACE 1: 7-1A-6-5
There’s huge pedigree power in play in the opener with #7 HONOREE, who has the benefit of a run for Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey. This colt debuted in a race taken off the turf but now moves to the weeds. The dam side includes 6 winners from 7 to try turf including stakes winner Vergara.
RACE 2: 2-6-3
#2 DREAMLIKE benefits from the scratch of likely favorite Invictus. Trainer Todd Pletcher is 8 for his last 13 with favored runners at the Spa making their first starts for tags in dirt routes.
RACE 3: 5-3-1-6
Hold your nose and take #5 HERE’SYOURTROUBLE in this spot as she drops in for a tag after a try against MSW company last time out. She showed a bit of early interest in that affair before fading and now looks to rebound. The best race she ran two back is easily good enough to win here as this hardly a deep group.
RACE 5: 8-2-1-5
#8 FIRSTTIMEINFOREVER is the “fresh” face in this field of 8 as she cuts back in distance for new trainer Joe Lee. She has been effective going longer but has enough tactical speed to be a horse who can improve on the cutback. The price will be right and the outside draw is ideal. The runners who’ve been in this condition have gotten a little stale as well.
RACE 5: 9-4-7-1
Trainer Todd Pletcher is 5 for his last 9 with turf routers at the Spa going 2nd off 180+ day layoffs, just like #9 POLICY CHANGE is doing today. He goes 2nd off the bench after chasing the pace and tiring last time out. The turf debut for this well-bred son of Munnings was solid given the pace and he’s deserving of another shot here dropping in for a tag.
RACE 6: 3-1-4-8
#3 FROUTIEN worked a sharp :10 and 1/5 at the Fasig-Tipton Timonium sale back in May. He debuts as a son of Galilean, whose progeny are 0-4 first time out in the sire’s first crop. The dam side pedigree is modest, so the only thing that really went into this guy being taken for 700k is the sale workout. It was good, and he’s lately been training in the anonymity of Monmouth Park, which could drive the price up a tad.
RACE 7: 9-1-8-2
#9 ALWAYS PRACTICAL cuts back in distance and lands in a race with plenty of early speed to set up her late bid. She fits well here class-wise off a start against 40k optional sellers/starters. The speed she showed two back was surprising, and she was once again too forward last out, so the cutback feels like the right move given those efforts.
RACE 8: 4-9-7-5
It’s soon to be time to give up on #4 RIVER TAY, but today is not the day! She had a sneaky tough trip two back at Aqueduct when wide on both turns as a heavy favorite. She made a middle move in that race and flattened out late, so there’s plenty of reason to upgrade her chances today as a live price horse.
RACE 9: 6-3-4-5
There’s no reason to take a big swing against #6 FUTURE IS NOW, who has been remarkably consistent over the last few years for Mike Trombetta. She was game in victory last out, holding on by a half-length to add another graded stake win to her resume. Her tactical speed is a major weapon and one that’ll likely get used today to get her to a forward position.
RACE 10: 1-8-7-2
The rail runner #1 CHRIS’S SONG is interesting to wire this field as he makes his second start off a layoff after showing increased speed. He should be in the mix from the outset because of the post position and the dearth of early zip signed up in here. If jockey Jose Lezcano is able to get him relaxed on the front end, he just might forget to quit.
