SARATOGA – 8/3/2025
By Nick Tammaro | @NTamm1215
SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS BROUGHT TO YOU BY @BUCCHEROSTUD | LEARN MORE AT http://IHSTALLIONS.com
RACE 1: 6-4-2-1
The work that Ilkay Kantarmaci has done off the claim makes #6 B D SAINTS a major threat in this affair. The favorite a couple of doors to his inside has some knocks, including the precipitous drop in class when he has an NY bred condition and can face open company at a higher price point. Back to ‘Saints, who has run well against better and has the tactical speed to be a factor from the outset. This can be a big move-up claim off veteran trainer Gary Sciacca.
RACE 2: 6-3-1-7
#6 TWO DUCKS has a good bit of turf pedigree and a trainer who does well with sprinters on the lawn. Progeny of Mendelssohn hit at a 13% clip on debut and the dam here was a debut winner on turf. She is out of a dam who earned Beyer Speed Figures in the high 80s on the weeds and the dam herself has produced a couple of grass winners. The presence of Irad Ortiz, Jr. feels like a positive.
RACE 3: 1/1A-3-5-6
The coupled entry of #1 CELESTIAL GLAZE and #1A NOTAH looks awfully formidable at a decent price. The latter is the more appealing of the two as he goes 2nd off a layoff following a solid run last time out. ‘Glaze goes first off the claim from the rail and has done well against better throughout his career. They are a solid duo based on complementary running styles as well.
RACE 4: 1-4-6-2
Is there a point in trying to beat #1 MYTHICAL, who is a perfect 2-2 and recently walloped males in the Tremont. She is the one to catch from the inside and still looks to be ahead of the curve relative to the competition she meets in this field. Visiting rider Emisael Jaramillo is a specialist on speed types and he’ll undoubtedly have this gal on the lead right from the start.
RACE 5: 6-2-4-3
#6 CLIFFS is a major play on this card coming in off a fast-closing 5th place finish in her turf debut. Another runner who had a wide trip in the same race this gal exits came back to win the nightcap on Saturday afternoon. This gal was even wider and more so against the track profile that day, so expect an improved run in her second turf outing.
RACE 6: 3-6-7-1
#3 LOUISE PROCTER had little go right in her North American debut with a slow break from the gate, a steady heading to the first turn then falling well behind the pace. She should run better here with a start behind her for Chad Brown, whose barn looks to be heating up after notching 3 wins on Saturday. The price is the only negative here, as she’ll likely be around that 3-1 morning line.
RACE 7: 5-2-3-4
This is a super tough N1X with many win candidates, including #5 DOROTEO for the dangerous barn of Jose Camejo. This colt broke his maiden last time out at Horseshoe Indianapolis, rallying from just off a slow pace up the inside to score going away. The speed figure he earned makes him a contender today and he still has plenty of upside. This barn debuted this colt in stakes company, which shows the belief they had in him from the outset.
RACE 8: 2-3-4-1
#2 TWENTY SIX BLACK goes 3rd off a layoff today and has strong recent workouts. He was compromised by a glacial pace last time out and came up empty late. He has been taken too far off the pace on a regular basis of late, and needs to be more involved in the opening stages here. The rider switch to Flavien Prat is a positive and he’s a contender with the likely regression of #3 BRING THEBAND HOME.
RACE 9: 3-6-1-7
#3 GENE AND JUDE was claimed last time out for 35k by trainer Mike Maker. He can improve off this claim after setting a fast pace last time out at Aqueduct. He will be forwardly placed again today and this barn does well with runners off the claim. The recent morning activity looks strong, and the price will be quite appealing in this spot.
RACE 10: 11-7-8-5
An upset could be in order here with #11 ALLURE OF MONEY. He was re-claimed by Charlie Baker in May and comes back fresh at the same 12.5k level. This is a major barn upgrade over the one that he exits, and he gets a positive rider switch to Lane Luzzi, despite his current record at the meet. The key will be pace, as this late runner needs things to materialize in front of him to unleash that late bid.
