SARATOGA – 8/14/2025
By Nick Tammaro | @NTamm1215
SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS BROUGHT TO YOU BY @BUCCHEROSTUD | LEARN MORE AT http://IHSTALLIONS.com
RACE 1: 5-4-3-6
#5 GREEN JOBS has reportedly always trained like a good horse and now moves to dirt. She has trained almost exclusively on dirt and should be in a good spot just off the pace this afternoon. The 51-start losing streak that Manny Franco is on doesn’t warm the heart, but the experienced dirt runners hardly lack appeal.
RACE 2: 6-2-4-1
The pace advantage that #6 HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPS possesses in this spot is significant and simply too much to overlook. He drops in class today and has been at his best when he gets to the front. If Romero Maragh can get him to moderate the pace along the way, he’ll likely prove very tough to run down in the closing stages.
RACE 3: 4-2-6-3
#4 OUR STARRY NIGHT shortens up in distance for trainer Phil Bauer, who has had a great deal of success over the last 5 years at the Spa. The speed he showed in his debut was serious, and he was even quicker at second asking going long. He is likely to get towards the front in here and should be tough from that position.
RACE 4: 3-1-2-7
Linda Rice claimed #3 TACTICAL TRACKSTAR out of his last start, which he won in game fashion. The Beyer Speed Figure he earned was good enough to garner favoritism here, not the 9/2 morning line. Rice is 24% with dirt starters first off of claims coming off wins racing at the Spa ($3.28 ROI). That’s enough to give him a long look here.
RACE 5: 7-3-6-1
The forward move on the Thorograph sheets that #7 ALWAYS BE SMART made last time out was significant/. This son of Tapit has run well locally and should get some pace to run at in the closing stages today. He should fit well at this class level and will be a square price in a competitive heat.
RACE 6: 2-5-7-3
#2 BELGIAN worked very impressively at the OBS March sale earlier this year and is bred well for the lawn. Trainer George Weaver is calling all the right shots with 2Yos on the turf at this meet and picked up another win on Wednesday. This colt should be quick off the mark and will be offer value given #5 SCHWARZENEGGER is supposed to start here.
RACE 7: 5-3-4-1
#5 GEORGE BRIGGS ran a bang-up race off a layoff last out in the Colonel Liam. He faced far more experienced rivals in an attempt to come from well off the pace on a super firm turf course at Gulfstream Park. This is a far more winnable spot as he faces restricted competition again and there should be more than enough pace to set up his late bid.
RACE 8: 8-1-4-10
#8 TOMORROW’S WISH bids to pick up another win for Dave Donk after he took the stake on Wednesday afternoon. This son of Honor Code has run credibly on dirt in the past, including against MSW runners on a couple of occasions. He should have some speed here on the surface switch and the presence of John Velazquez never hurts.
RACE 9: 4-8-7-3
#4 GEM MINT TEN was in for the 40k tag last time out in a race that was common among a number of runners in this field. He didn’t show as much speed because the early leader ran off in the opening stages. This should be an opportunity for him to get loose early given the way this race shapes up on paper. Should he get loose, he’ll be very tough to reel in late.
RACE 10: 10-7-3-8
#10 DEEMER is dropping in class at 4th asking for Cherie DeVaux. This gelding now gets Lasix for the first time and should improve with another race behind him. DeVaux is 8 for her last 30 with maiden turf routers getting first time Lasix in non-first time out situations ($2.67 ROI). The outside draw is a negative, but he’s better than these horses.
