Spa Selections 2025: Saratoga Picks August 1

  • userJoseph Aiello
  • dateJuly 31, 2025

Cover photo by NYRA/Adam Coglianese.

In Spa Selections, Saratoga correspondent Joseph Aiello provides Saratoga picks for a handful of key races at Saratoga, including all of the exciting stakes action!

Follow along all meet with all the exciting action (and good betting opportunities)!

Check out our other handicapping here!

Race 7 – Grade II National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes

1. #7 Zulu Kingdom (6-5) – Faces a tough test here as the favorite, but should be in a prime position and has shown good consistency with two wins over this track

2. #2 Luther (3-1) – Could benefit from what appears to be a quick pace on paper, likely to be making a late charge with Rosario in the stretch

3. #3 Tiz Dashing (15-1) – Clever Again has no turf experience and could get caught up in a hot pace, setting up well for this stalker who is typically gaining in the stretch

4. #8 Tank (8-1) – Should be on the lead and still ran well in defeat last time plus cuts back in distance which could help him finish out stronger

Race 8 – MC 30000

1. #2 Omaha Pistol (3-1) – Frequently bet to favorite but couldn’t hold on at eight furlongs last time so may benefit from the cut back to seven

2. #7 Army Proud (5-2) – Hopefully gets a dry track here and picks up Irad Ortiz for Joe Sharp with good speed figures that put him amongst the top contenders

3. #6 Allofasuddenlee (6-1) – Has hit the board in five of eight on dirt and ran second last time to a better horse than any in this group so could improve here

4. #9 Come Full Circle (12-1) – Hasn’t been particularly competitive, but switches from turf to dirt and may take a slight step forward if he gets a dry dirt course

Race 9 – OClm 40000

1. #1A Chess Master (8-5) – This nine year old gelding is still going strong, most recently picking up a win here a month ago and specializes at the distance

2. #8 Cloudy (6-1) – Typically performs at or above this class, and despite a lack of results, this is one who can come from mid pack and pick up the pieces

3. #6 Fluid Situation (6-1) – This six year old gelding has shown more on turf in his career and has finished third in four straight with good consistency

4. #2 Outlaw Country (8-1) – Can make a late charge into the money with some pace in here, and has run well at the distance in his career

Race 10 – OClm 50000

1. #5 Competitive Threat (3-1) – Brown and Prat team up with this filly who is frequently bet to favorite and appears to prefer this distance but needs to finish strong

2. #4 Life Advice (4-1) – Narrowly beat last time out after setting a solid pace, this grey filly by Into Mischief has a chance if she sets a modest pace on the lead

3. #7 Leslie’s Star (5-2) – Keeps Irad Ortiz and has winning chances with a step forward from her last try which was over this track and at the distance

4. #8 Adrian (12-1) – Aviso may be best on dirt, and this filly drops from a tougher race last time where she was too close to a quick early pace so could improve here

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