Saratoga Horse Racing Picks & Predictions – Personal Ensign, Travers, and Grade 1 Stakes (Aug 24, 2025)
Saratoga Race 9 Personal Ensign Stakes Grade 1
4 Dorth Vader exits from a disappointing 4th place finish in the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher at Monmouth Park. I believe this Mare bounced a bit off such a strong effort in her previous start when winning the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Stakes two races back. Gal will need to run back to that Grade 1 victory to beat this talented field. I believe she’s up to the task. Win Contender
7 Thorpedo Anna is a two-time winner here at the Spa and last year’s horse of the year. She’s won an incredible 11 of 14 starts and nearly beat the boys in last year’s Travers Stakes. If she brings her A game, she’ll be tough to beat. Win Contender
1 Randomized has sharp early foot and could be the controlling speed in here. My concerns are this gal might not have it so easy on the front end and the mile and an eighth distance today might be just a bit too far for this talented daughter of Nyquist. Use Underneath
Selections 4-7-1-3
Saratoga Race 10 H. Allen Jerkins Stakes Grade 1
1 Patch Adam’s enters here in fine form winning back-to-back races which includes a recent Grade 1 victory in the mud here at Saratoga. Colt has good tactical speeed and should be running just off the pace-setters today. He sports a recent 1/55 bullet and appears to be sitting on another sharp effort. Top Pick
5 Verifire is unbeaten in 3 career starts as he climbs the class ladder. Colt faces the acid test today, but this son of Authentic has raised his dirt speed figures in each consecutive start. Another move forward just might get this undefeated Colt another W in the win column. Win Contender
4 Chances McPatrick is a 3-time winner in 4 starts here at the Spa. Colt’s only loss here at Saratoga was over a muddy surface. He’ll get a fast strip today which he’s unbeaten on. Win Contender
Selections 1-5-4-3
Saratoga Race 11 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1
5 Claret Beret has run two very strong races since being switched to the Saffie Joesoph Jr barn. Filly won by an incredible 19 lengths two races back in a local Stakes down in South Florida. Gal stepped into deep waters next out and ran a strong second in the Grade 2 Chicago Stakes at Churchill. Saffie Joesoph Jr has this Filly firing on all cylinders and I expect she’ll have something to say at the wire. Top Pick
8 My Mane Squeeze changed racing tactics when taking a bunch of Ny Breds gate-to-wire last out in a local Stakes here. Filly has not been able to get a victory in her last 4 attempts versus Graded company. She could be a player here off that confidence building win versus softer. Look for Jockey Luis Saez to lay mid pack and make one big run at the front runners. She won’t get the lead early versus this group. Win Contender
3 Majestic Oops had reeled off 3 straight victories before running into Randomized in the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher. Randomized set a tepid pace that day and this gal was no match,finishing second by three lengths. She’ll get a much better set up today. Live Longshot
Selections 5-8-3-7
Saratoga Race 12 Forego Stakes
4 Book’em Dano has put up to monster runs in his last two Graded Stakes sprint wins. Gelding ran an incredible 112 Bris dirt figure when winning a Grade 2 here last out. He’s a 3-time winner in 4 starts here at the Spa and would have to regress mightily to lose this race. Top Pick
6 Crazy Mason has an incredible turn of foot in these dirt sprints. He’ll need the pace to hot early to set up his potential late run. He likely gets that scenario today. Live Longshot
1 Most Wanted has never finished worse than second while sporting 5 trips to the winners circle. Don’t Ignore
Selections 4-6-1-2
Saratoga Race 12 Travers Stakes Grade 1
4 Sovereignty has been an absolute monster, winning the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes and most recently the Jim Dandy. This small could be a challenge for this heavy morning-line favorite but Colt has shown he can race near the lead and still have plenty in the tank for the stretch drive. He might win for fun today. Top Pick
1 Magnitude has won his last two races by a combined 19 lengths. He’s never faced the likes of Sovereignty but he’s in incredible form right now after running back-to-back triple digit dirt speed figures. Major Threat
3 Strategic Focus bounced a tad after crossing the finishing line first two races back. This Gun runner Colt was placed second via disqualification but did clock in with an impressive 107 Bris number. He regressed next out in a Restricted Stakes here at the Spa when he finished third. I expect a sharper effort today. Use Underneath
Selections 4-1-3-2
Del Mar Race 9 Pat O’Brien Stakes Grade 2
4 Maymun hasn’t seen race day in over 6 months but trainer Bob Baffert seems to have the confidence to enter this Colt off a layoff and just 2 career starts. This one’s last race impressed me. He was facing winners for the first time , passed in the stretch drive, but fought back gamely for the W. Colts work tab has been dotted with bullets including a recent 1/83 out of the gate work. Win Contender
1 Dr. Venkman has yet to find the winners circle in 3 starts in 2025 but has faced some very sharp runners. I do not like the one hole in these dirt sprints but if Rispoli can work out a trip, I like this Geldings chances. Win Contender
2 Speed Boat Beach is the true speed in here and if no one goes with this son of Bayern,this race might be over at the quarter pole. Major Threat