Saratoga and Del Mar Picks & Best Bets – August 1 2025
Friday’s card at Saratoga and Del Mar features several compelling stakes races with upset potential and live longshots. In Race 7 at Saratoga, the Grade 2 Hall of Fame Stakes sets up for a closer like Luther, while several vulnerable favorites across both tracks open the door for value plays. Below are the top picks and betting insights for key races.
Saratoga Race 7 Hall of Fame Stakes Grade 2
2 Luther made his North American debut in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby and finished a fast closing third beaten by just over a length. Colt cuts back to the mile distance where he’s been competitive in Group 2 races overseas. He’s a closer in a race that’s loaded with speed. I love this son of Frankel’s chances to pull the upset here. Top Pick
7 Zulu Kingdom has won 6 of 7 Lifetime starts which includes a Grade 1 victory in the American Turf Stakes two races back. This Chad Brown trainee’s only loss came in last years Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf where he finished a tiring 7th. I believe this huge morning line favorite could be beaten today. He likes to be forwardly placed and with all the speed signed on in here, I feel he’ll be further back than usual. If he’s not, he just might have to work a bit harder to keep up with the likely fast early pace. Win Contender
3 Tiz Dashing makes his second start off the layoff after finishing a strong third to the aforementioned in the Grade 3 Manila Stakes. Colt ran a career top that day and appears to be on the improve. He’s lightly raced with plenty of upside. He enters here off 7/54 bullet and can make some noise in here at a price. Live Longshot
Selections 2-7-3-1
Saratoga Race 8
12 Sanrio drops in class to a realistic level after facing a much tougher group of Maidens in his 6 Career starts. Gelding gets first time juice and blinkers today. I’ll take a shot on this 15-1 morning line runner. Live Longshot
7 Army Proud gets a jockey upgrade to Irad after finishing a good second at this level last out. Win Contender
1 American Litigator goes turf to dirt and makes his second start in the very capable Phil Capuano barn. Gelding has been facing a bit tougher and looks like a player here versus this underwhelming group. Don’t Ignore
Selections 12-7-1-2
Del Mar Race 4
1 Howin has a huge class edge versus the competition in here. This Bob Baffert trained daughter of Gun Runner was last seen finishing a strong second in the Grade 3 Summer Oaks Stakes at Santa Anita. Filly is the deserving morning line favorite. Top Pick
3 Madame Secretary broke her Maiden two races back in stellar fashion, winning by 5 lengths. Connections got a bit too ambitious when stepping this gal up in Grade 2 company in the Santa Anita Oaks. Filly was no match for that salty group however she’s been training well for her return off that disappointing effort, highlighted by a 2/74 bullet. This gal will run well today. Win Contender
5 Sugar Hi makes her third start of the form cycle for trainer Phil D’Amato and enters here off a bullet work. Don’t Ignore
Selections 1-3-5-6
Del Mar Race 6 Real Good Deal Stakes
6 Check’s on the Way exits from a sharp victory at Santa Anita versus Allowance/ Optional 50k State Bred foes where this Gelding ran a career best dirt speed fig. He moves up the class ladder here and goes an extra furlong today. He sports the highest late pace numbers of his rivals today and should relish the added distance. Win Contender
1 Style Cat goes turf to dirt for trainer Peter Miller. The last time this Gelding ran green to brown, he was a dominant winner of the Eddie Echo Stakes at Santa Anita. Win Contender
7 Western Freedom tried the turf and routing for the first time last out in the Snow Chief Stakes and failed miserably, finishing 7th. I’ll draw a line through that effort. Colt is now back to what he does best, sprinting. Major Threat