SARATOGA – 8/21/2025
By Nick Tammaro | @NTamm1215
SARATOGA SELECTIONS AND ANALYSIS BROUGHT TO YOU BY @BUCCHEROSTUD | LEARN MORE AT http://IHSTALLIONS.com
RACE 1: 2-6-1-5
The most recent effort of #2 STRACA was good enough to contend for top honors in this field. She was wide and on the chase on a day when saving ground was an advantage. The winner was 2-3 paths off the rail as well, but this gal now gets her 2nd opportunity with lasix in a spot where she can be forwardly placed.
RACE 2: 10-7-3-1
#10 GRAND LUXX is a firster by Instagrand who is reportedly training very well prior to her unveiling. Her unraced dam has dropped two winners from as many to race on the main track. The outside draw is just fine given the number of first timers in here likely to battle right from the start.
RACE 3: 5-3-4-2
#5 VALTELLINA is training strongly for this engagement and starts for a dangerous barn that picked up a big win in the Wednesday nightcap. The race this filly ran in the NY Oaks last time out was largely free of trouble, but it proved she can handle the extra ground. A bit more of a pace setup in here would help her cause.
RACE 4: 5-7-8-4
The potential pace advantage held by #5 MO KREESA is too much to overlook today. He goes first off a claim by Mark Hennig, who has a good record from a limited sample off the claim on turf. This guy is likely to get loose in the opening stages and no jockey ends up free and clear on the lead more than John Velazquez.
RACE 5: 1-11-4-3
The connections of #1 MAKEALITTLELOVE paid real money for her at the OBS April sale as a NY bred daughter of Galilean. She has reportedly trained well and the 2nd family has enough dirt influence to give her a try. Her dam is a half to dirt stakes winner William’s Kitten and the rail draw will enable her to save ground throughout in this spot.
RACE 6: 2-7-11-4
#2 MARGARITA MOLLY is the second foal to race out of an unraced dam, and the first ended up being stakes placed. She is reportedly training well and progeny of Knicks Go are 5-29 first time out as 2YOs. Don’t be surprised if this one is ready to roll at first asking.
RACE 7: 3-6-10-12
The early trouble #3 SHADES OF JADE ran into on debut were enough to wreck her chances. She still came with a nice rally to finish second behind the race favorite that day in an event dominated on the front end. She will improve with experience, and this barn is quietly rolling at the meet.
RACE 8: 2-5-3-6
Things look to set up very well for #2 KHALI MAGIC in here as there’s little to no speed signed up. She is at her best when on the lead, so it feels likely that Irad Ortiz, Jr. will ask her right out of the gate. The pace she set in her last start was robust, and it obviously took a toll late. Here’s to hoping she gets a free run of it on the front end.
RACE 9: 4-6-1-2
#4 IRON DOME is bidding for a 3rd win in 5 weeks after breaking his maiden and clearing the first allowance condition at today’s distance of 9 panels. He is clearly the horse to beat after the scratch of morning line favorite #5 TRAIN THE TRAINER. Steve Asmussen is quietly having a very strong meet and is 15% over the last five years with dirt routers switching off lasix ($3.00 ROI).
RACE 10: 3-2-10-9
There was little to no wagering support for #3 ONE LAST KNOCK in her debut. She ended up setting a fast pace before tiring and now bids to improve at second asking. It seems very likely that she will run better today and will be a square price for the underrated barn of Keri Brion.
