SARATOGA – 8/22/2025
By Nick Tammaro | @NTamm1215
SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS BROUGHT TO YOU BY @BUCCHEROSTUD | LEARN MORE AT http://IHSTALLIONS.com
RACE 1: 4-7-5-8
The concern about the Mellon turf after Thursday’s card is that the 0’ rail setting will strongly favor speed. That works in the favor of #4 THREE THIRTEEN, who took a bit of money on debut for Melanie Giddings before showing speed and fading late. The pace was robust in that affair, which also worked against this daughter of Unified.
RACE 2: 1-5-2-3
#1 CARESS can be as loose as she wants to be in the opening stages as the only speed in this group. She was a solid 2nd last time out, fighting all the way to the finish after contesting the pace. Jockey Javier Castellano has had the most success on this daughter of Connect throughout her career as well.
RACE 3: 1-3-5-6
The overly aggressive ride on #1 ANGEL GIFT worked against her last time out, as she was zapped in the final quarter of that race. It came against open company and she was a mind boggling 2-1 off a restricted maiden win. The likelihood of a strong pace helps her chances today if Irad Ortiz, Jr. will take her back to make one run.
RACE 4: 1-7-4-2
#1 PEEK draws what can be a tricky inside post today for Rob Falcone, Jr. in his second start off a claim. He’s back at the price for which he was claimed two starts back, and this is probably the right level. There are major knocks on the favorites, so he looms the right alternative coming from just off the pace.
RACE 5: 2/2B-5-7-8
The Linda Rice-trained entry of #2 TARPAULIN and #2B TIOTE looks awfully formidable, though she is sure to scratch one of them, if not both. The latter is dropping in class off a claim, which is never the most comforting scenario. The former is coming off a solid effort given the break from the gate and wide trip in a race dominated by inside speed.
RACE 6: 7-2-6-8
#7 FILLE D’ORO is a first timer by Wootton Bassett, whose progeny have had success in the US. This filly is out of a Juddmonte-owned family on the dam side and trained last time out with the stakes-bound first out winner Scratch It. If she has some speed, it will definitely help her cause.
RACE 7: 4-1-7-6
#4 SYSTEMIC CHANGE will bid to be Steve Asmussen’s third winner of the meet. He drops in for a tag after being protected from the claim box and was out of position last time out when 6th behind Gilmore. The pace in here should be solid enough to set up his late bid and we know he wants every bit of the 9 panels.
RACE 8: 6-7-3-5
There’s a decent enough chance that #6 MAMA’S GOLD is able to get loose in this field and stave off the competition. He was over his head in the Whitney last time out and now gets some needed class relief moving back into the allowance ranks. The lead is his for the taking and he has been very dangerous when able to get out and dictate terms on the front end.
RACE 9: 1-12-6-4
#1 MOONAGE DAYDREAM blossomed into the best NY bred turfer last year for Jorge Abreu. She returns off a lengthy break today with a good inside post and a strong worktab. There’s more than enough pace signed up to give her a target, and jockey Flavien Prat looks to be back at his best in recent days at the Spa.
RACE 10: 10-8-4-6
#10 HARD PAR had a nightmare trip last time out breaking slowly then rallying into a slow pace. He ended up galloping out past the field and should be a serious late threat today if able to negotiate a trip. The price will be attractive as well in a super competitive heat.
