Saratoga and Del Mar Picks & Best Bets For July 18, 2025

Saratoga Race 7

6 Nantasket Beach enters here in the the best form of his career after defeating a large field of 11 at Churchill Downs. This Gelding was claimed for a mere 20k early this year and has since won 4 of 5 races while climbing the class ladder. Win Contender

5 I’m Very Busy has a definitive class edge versus his rivals in here but has been idle for over a year. He’s a Grade 2 winner on the turf and sports a win here on the Saratoga green. If trainer Chad Brown has this one anywhere near 100%, he’ll be tough to beat. Win Contender

7 Big Everest is a 5-time winner at this distance and enters here off a 2/30 bullet. This Miguel Clement trainee rarely runs a bad race and should be ready to fire in his third start off the pine. Major Threat

Selections 6-5-7-2

Saratoga Race 8 Shuvee Stakes Grade 2

5 Raging Sea exits from a disappointing third place finish in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps on a sloppy track here at the Spa. Before that defeat as the favorite, this Mare had won 4 of 5 races including a Grade 1 two races back. Top Pick

3 Leslie Rose didn’t take to the sloppy conditions last out and was eased in the G1 Ogden Phipps. This Filly has run respectable races against some of the best 3-year-old Filly’s in the country in 2024. This gal ran a career top two races back when finishing third by just a neck in the Grade 3 Vagrancy Stakes. The red hot Irad Ortiz Jr is in the irons today. Win Contender

7 Malibu Beauty steps up the class ladder after two front running victories in her last two races. She’ll need to contend with some sharp early speed to her inside, but if she can somehow rate off the pace, I like her chances at a price. Live Longshot

Selections 5-3-7-6

Del Mar Race 8 Oceanside Stakes

8 Day and Age looks like a new horse since switching surfaces to the turf. This 3-year-old son of up and coming Sire Omaha Beach defeated winners at first asking last out after breaking his Maiden on the blades at Santa Anita. This is an improving Colt with plenty of upside. Don’t sleep on this Richard Mandela trained Colt. Win Contender

3 Iron Man Cal ran into a salty group of runners in the Grade 1 American turf which included Zulu Kingdom, Test Score and New Century, finishing a non-threatening 6th. He faces a much easier group of animals today and is the deserving morning-line favorite. Win Contender

5 Artislas has been a bit of a disappointment after a stellar 2-year-old campaign last year. I believe this Colt just didn’t care for the turf at Santa Anita. He’s now back here at Del Mar where he’s a Grade 3 winner. Do not leave this Colt off your tickets. Win Contender

Selections 8-3-5-7