Saratoga 🏇🏾// Sat., Aug. 2, 2025

Happy Saturday & Disc Golf Day!

We have an exciting day ahead, so let's not waste any time. First up, we're headed back to New York to cover the entire card from Saratoga for one of the biggest racing days of the year—arguably the biggest racing day of the summer: Whitney Day. This event features a total of 13 races, including five stakes races, with even more action at other tracks later in the day.

The highlight of the day is the 11th race, which is also a Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" event for the Longines Classic division. The $1,000,000 Whitney Stakes is run at a distance of 1 1/8 miles on dirt for four-year-olds and older. We’ll witness some of the top horses from the past three years competing in this race, aiming to prove they still have what it takes after their three-year-old season.

There are originally 10 entries for the race, but we are down to nine as one of the fastest horses in the field, Mindframe, has scratched. However, we'll get to see a rematch between two top contenders from last year: Fierceness and Sierra Leone.

It's worth noting a statistic from Matthew DeSantis of The NYRA: horses are not closing from too far back in these route races at Saratoga this meet. This raises the question: will Sierra Leone be able to utilize his deep closing speed, or will another horse, who takes the lead or stays close to it, win today's Grade 1 stakes race?

As we've mentioned, this racing card is significant as we have a second Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" race in the eighth event. This is the FanDuel Fourstardave, a Grade 1, one-mile race on the dirt. The winner of this race will secure a spot in the FanDuel Mile on November 1st.

The weather is expected to be gorgeous today, with highs in the low 80s and mostly sunny skies. The track is fast, and the turf is firm, creating many opportunities to cash some tickets today.

We will be posting a few plays later today from Del Mar since we are participating in a horse players tournament. They also have a Breeder's Cup "Win and You're In" race, so be sure to head over to our X page to follow along!

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The Whitney Stakes, inaugurated in 1928 at Saratoga Race Course, is one of the most prestigious races for older horses in American Thoroughbred racing. Named in honor of the prominent Whitney family—key figures in the development of American racing—the race has long served as a pivotal summer test for elite horses. Originally run at a distance of 1¼ miles, the race has undergone several changes over the years, settling at its current distance of 1⅛ miles. Early winners included Hall of Fame greats like Equipoise and War Admiral, and the race quickly developed a reputation as a proving ground for champions.

Throughout its history, the Whitney has featured many of the sport’s most iconic names. Horses such as Kelso, Dr. Fager, Tom Fool, and, more recently, Gun Runner and Knicks Go, have claimed victory, often propelling them toward year-end honors. As part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, the winner of the Whitney gains an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Classic, adding to its modern significance. With its deep tradition, elite competition, and historic setting at Saratoga, the Whitney remains a cornerstone of the summer racing calendar.

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Need help picking winners? We've got you covered! Our (Always Free) Lundin Line's top picks and best bets are below. We use them to help narrow the field while putting our tickets together. The first post will be here soon, so don't be late -

It's time to get #InTheMoney! 💰💰💰

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Saratoga 🏇🏾 // Sat., Aug. 2nd, 2025

First Post @ 12:05 EDT / 9:05 (PDT)

R1: 1-2-5-8

R2: 7-3-6-1

R3Ⓢ: 6-1-2

R4: 4-1-10-5

R5: 9-3-4-7

R6: 2-1A-6-8

R7: 11-3-1-13

R8Ⓢ/BC: 3⭑-8-6-7

Mr. W: 3-8-7-5

Fink: 3-6-4-8

R9Ⓢ: 3-6-2-8

R10Ⓢ: 4-6-3-8

🏇R11Ⓢ/BC: 9-5-1-2

Mr. W: 9-5-2-4

Fink: 9-1-6-5

R12: 3-9-10-12

R13: 10-12-7-2

🏇 = Featured Race(s)

⭑Best Bet(s)

R8: Johannes (#3)

R11: Fierceness (#9)

Ⓢtakes Races:

R3: 200K Saratoga Special S. (G2)

R8: 750K Fourstardave S. (G1T)

1 Mile on Turf for 4 Yr. Olds & Up

BC Div.: FanDuel Mile

R9: 750K Saratoga Derby Inv. S. (G1T)

R10: 500K Test S. (G1)

R11:Mil. Whitney S. (G1)/BC

1 1/8 Miles on Dirt for 4 Yr. Olds & Up

Breeders' Cup Div.: Longines Classic

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Photo from our friends at National Day Calendar

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/ As always, please forgive any typos and grammatical errors