SARATOGA – 6/6/2025
By Nick Tammaro | @NTamm1215
RACE 1: 6-5-2-4
#6 MUNNINGS EXPRESS comes in off a smashing maiden win for Linda Rice and should be in range of the pace from the start today. Rice has good numbers with horses off of wins and this gal improved by leaps and bounds from her debut to her second outing. With another step forward, she will be very tough to handle as the favorite.
RACE 2: 1A-11-2-6
#1A ENDORSE is a firster by Curlin who is out of a mare who previously produced stakes winner Jace’s Road. This filly is training forwardly according to the clockers and should be a potent duo paired up with stablemate #1 NUMBERED. They will face a potent challenge from #11 RESURGE, a first timer who is a half to Scylla and Tacitus and is also reportedly training forwardly for the debut.
RACE 3: 8-3-1-5
#8 FINAL VERDICT ran well last out doing the heavy lifting on the front end before being outfinished late. He is a major threat right back returning to the site of a smashing win here last summer. He is quick off the mark and that’s always an edge sprinting on grass, and his recent morning activity has earned rave reviews.
RACE 4: 5-7-3-2
In an absolute grab bag, the class move being made by #5 ARMY GAL cannot be overlooked. She was most recently second beaten a length against open company and now lands back in against NY breds where she fits very nicely from a class and speed figure perspective. Her tactical speed is a weapon and she should be in position from the start.
RACE 5: 6-7-2-5
The debut effort of #6 STRATEGIC FOCUS was outstanding, as he sat just off the pace and powered home in the final furlong. He is kin to Headline Numbers, a stablemate who similarly posted an auspicious debut before disappointing. This colt has trained like a stakes horse and gets an opportunity to prove himself on the class jump and stretchout today.
RACE 6: 3-1-2-4
There seems to be little reason to take a stand against #3 WAYS AND MEANS today. She ran arguably her best race to date in defeat last out, checking in a distant third behind the absolute freak that is Kopion. That was this gal’s first start off a layoff and she figures to move forward today with that race behind her. Saratoga has been the site of her best efforts to date.
RACE 7: 7-12-3-4
#7 LOUISE PROCTER returns off a layoff for Chad Brown and makes her North American debut. Brown has a terrific record with imports, hitting at a 32% clip with a break-even ROI. This gal was good enough to go off favored in the 1000 Guineas last year and looks to potentially have had issues with bleeding overseas. That can be solved today with Lasix and that makes her a major player at a square price.
RACE 8: 6-1-11-4
#6 TOM COLLINS ran a better race last time out than it looks on paper. He was always within range of a strong pace before reaching the front in upper stretch. The pace collapsed late and he wound up 5th, but 9 panels is likely beyond his best distance and he now gets Irad Ortiz, Jr. in a bounce-back spot. He has run well here before and should be a fair price to boot.
RACE 9: 5-7-4-6
#5 CANDIED was an impressive winner last time out at Pimlico and now returns to the site of her first win and closest brush with Grade I glory. This filly is all distance and should get a good trip from just off the pace. While the competition she met last time was weak relative to what she faces today, she took a clear step forward in speed figures and should be dangerous right back today.
RACE 10: 1-3-8-5
#1 FLATTEN THE CURVE ships in from Germany where he earned a game score going today’s distance of 2 miles last time out. This son of Zarak sat just off the pace and was determined in scoring by a head. He has really blossomed as a 4YO, winning 4 straight including two this year. He classes up in this bunch well and there is no issue whatsoever with the distance with this French-bred.
RACE 11: 2-5-4-3
#2 GOOD CHEER has been routinely brilliant through her 8 race career and seeks a second straight Grade I today. She was typically good in the Kentucky Oaks, laying closer to the early pace than normal before powering clear in the closing stages. There’s plenty of pace signed up here to set up her late bid, and she is the undisputed queen of this division until proven otherwise.
RACE 12: 8-1-3-6
Another favorite who is very likely to win on this card is #8 SHE FEELS PRETTY. She has been very good throughout her career, but she has really stepped forward in her last few starts. Her Modesty win last time out was strong, as she stalked the pace and willingly moved clear late. A similar trip is in the offing today and she should be very tough to handle with a similar effort.
RACE 13: 1-8-5-7
The upset potential of #1 DYNAMIC PRICING here is real, as her last start was very good. The competition here is undoubtedly tougher, but you have to appreciate the clear step forward she took in her first start as a 4YO. The leader took the far turn wide that afternoon at Aqueduct and this gal was carried out. She made a fierce late bid and she should be a tough customer in the stretch today, especially with a ground-saving trip.
RACE 14: 5-1/1A-12-2
#5 MOZAMBIQUE is interesting as he returns off a lengthy break for Linda Rice. The winner of this guy’s last start came back to win his next start and improve his Beyer speed figure by 22 points. This gelding’s training has been strong and Rice quietly sports a strong hand on this Belmont Stakes Eve program.
