SARATOGA – 7/26/2025
By Nick Tammaro | @NTamm1215
SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS BROUGHT TO YOU BY @BUCCHEROSTUD | LEARN MORE AT http://IHSTALLIONS.com
RACE 1: 5-4-2-7
#5 FRIAR LAURENCE sat just off the pace last time out and tired late for Linda Rice. That was his first start off a claim and he now finds himself in a good spot class-wise. The drop to 40k after being taken for 50k is hardly troubling and makes him a good fit for this level.
RACE 2: 4-1-6-5
#4 SOLDIER N DIPLOMAT is a first timer by Army Mule who went for nearly a million dollars at the OBS March sale. He worked :10 at that sale and made a very strong impression in doing so. The dam side pedigree is modest and progeny of Army Mule have hardly turned heads, so this purchase is all about the sale workout.
RACE 3: 3-6-8-4
The pace needs to heat up just a tad for #3 VIGANO to get home. Hall of Famer Nick Zito is seeking his first Saratoga win of the meet with this son of Honor Code, and his recent form down in South Florida is on the improve. He is a live longshot in a race where the favorites hardly impress.
RACE 4: 3-1-2-5
#3 FILM STAR can upset this race as he returns from a 4th place finish where he endured a wide trip on a surface where being inside was advantageous. He can bounce back in here and will be a win candidate with an effort similar to what he put forth in that early May tilt at the Big A. The recent workouts of #1 ARTHUR’S RIDE were enough to get me to look elsewhere on the top end
RACE 5: 6-7-9-8
The ride that #6 UNBROKEN CHAIN got last time out at Aqueduct certainly kept this son of Unified from getting in the money. The race came against better horses, and he was in tight coming off the turn before steadying out altogether. He had more to offer and galloped out ahead of the field. This red hot barn now goes to Shaun Bridgmohan.
RACE 6: 6-4-5-7
The trip endured by #4 TONGUE TWISTER last time out was horrendous. He was wide to both turns and understandably flattened out late. The rider switch to Irad Ortiz, Jr. is more than significant. He should help this filly get to the winner’s circle, especially if they can save any ground along the way.
RACE 7: 10-4-9-7
#10 LOLLY POPPIN is training well for Bill Mott as she debuts this afternoon. She is out of a mare who won on debut as a 2YO and she has dropped 5 winners from as many to race. The worktab is impressive on paper and this barn is likely to have their guns loaded with their “big” horse contesting the Jim Dandy later on.
RACE 8: 10-5-8-9
#10 ON THE HILL is a late runner who stands to get a massive pace setup today with a plethora of speed signed up. He is hard to handle and often takes time to hit his stride, so Katie Davis will have to stay alert early to keep him in the game. The price should be right in a particularly competitive affair.
RACE 9: 4-3-5-9
#4 LAVENDER DISASTER was wide much of the way last time out before coming up short in the stretch drive. The rail was the place to be that afternoon and #5 CLASSIC Q took full advantage of the track profile. This filly can bounce back today getting a bit more ground with a solid pace expected.
RACE 10: 5-4-1-2
#5 SOVEREIGNTY is back for more after taking two legs of the Triple Crown for Bill Mott. He should handle this compact field with ease as he figures to sit just off the pace and pounce when ready. He is clearly improving with each passing start and will be hard to deny given the pace scenario in here. It also seems pretty clear he’s just a lot better than these horses.
RACE 11: 3-9-10-4
#3 OFF SCRIPT is moving to turf and has a great pedigree for the weeds. She drew the rail, which will help her save ground throughout and that’s never a bad thing. The dam here was a 3x turf winner and took a stakes in her best effort. Her dam was a 2x turf winner as well, so this is a real move-up turf pedigree.
RACE 12: 11-7-10-4
#11 GOT STRIPES is dropping in class for Cherie DeVaux and is deserving of an opportunity at this level. He’ll have to overcome an outside post going two turns on the inner turf, which is never an easy thing. The price will be fair, though, in a tough bunch.
