Saratoga Horse Racing Picks for Friday, July 18, 2025

Below is a table for each race of the day. The table is ordered by our algorythmically calculated expected order of finish. Our program takes into account past performances, workout times, speed ratings, recency, and breeder/jockey data amoung other data points.

Using the “Expected” column, the lower number is better. When there is a clear lowest value, we like that horse best to win. In situations where many horses share low numbers, we like those horses equally well. If no horse is under 3, the results are less clear to us and bettors should examine the race more closely.

Using the “Value” column, we present the minimum payout we would recommend betting the particular horse. Look for higher-paying odds than those listed if you like that horse.

Scratches are notated and will be updated as available.

RACE NUMBER 1 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Going for Glory 8.00 1 2-1
4 4 Posse Rocks 4.50 2.3 4-1
6 6 Syl’s Pleasure 3.00 2.9 6-1
7 7 Five Dozen Roses 3.50 3 6-1
5 5 Lady Delilah 6.00 3.3 6-1
2 2 Jackpot Julie 12.00 4 8-1
3 3 Good Mission 2.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Shoot It True 2.50 1 2-1
3 3 Bustin Bullet 4.50 2.8 5-1
1 1 Weekend Rags 3.50 4.1 8-1
9 9 Strictly Taboo 5.00 4.4 8-1
7 7 Kerry 10.00 4.9 9-1
6 6 Latest Edition 30.00 5 9-1
2 2 Blossoming Erudite 12.00 5.6 11-1
10 10 Echo in Eternity 8.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Thirteen Red Flags 15.00 SCRATCH
4 4 Bellacose 8.00 SCRATCH
8 8 Army Gal 8.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Tizmarkus 4.00 1 2-1
6 6 House United 3.50 2.6 5-1
2 2 Houlton 2.50 2.8 5-1
3 3 Daiquiri Sommelier 6.00 3.7 7-1
5 5 Always Be Smart 8.00 3.9 7-1
1 1 Blown Cover 6.00 4.5 8-1
4 4 Ranger Battalion 5.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Inesperee 6.00 1 2-1
8 8 Mendee 4.00 1 2-1
3 3 Lady Meis (IRE) 8.00 2.9 5-1
1 1 Dimensionality 8.00 3.4 6-1
7 7 Pemaquid 4.50 3.5 7-1
11 11 Speed Shopper 10.00 4.5 8-1
9 9 Abundant Love 8.00 4.6 9-1
10 10 Green Jobs 6.00 5.5 10-1
5 5 Rescue Me 12.00 7.5 14-1
6 6 Unlimited Spending (JPN) 10.00 8.9 17-1
13 13 The Taco Lady 2.50 SCRATCH
12 12 Mildred Pierce 8.00 SCRATCH
2 2 Grove City Sunset 8.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Olivia’s Grace 6.00 1 2-1
8 8 Ultra Cameo 4.50 3 6-1
9 9 Rad Llama 6.00 3 6-1
7 7 Garden of Grace 3.50 3.1 6-1
3 3 No Ordinary Love 4.50 3.2 6-1
1 1 Saratoga Snow 8.00 3.4 6-1
6 6 Aperitif 12.00 4.5 9-1
4 4 Bodegas 15.00 6 11-1
5 5 One Last Knock 12.00 7.3 14-1
12 12 Miss Im Pulsive 2.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Giuliana’s Dream 12.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Sunshine Lily 4.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 6 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Rock It Rob 4.00 1 2-1
6 6 Diamond Child 15.00 1.4 3-1
5 5 Cerro Rico 3.50 1.7 3-1
3 3 Smartkenzie 8.00 1.8 3-1
8 8 Pepper J 10.00 2.1 4-1
7 7 Sunday Boy 20.00 2.2 4-1
1 1 Arctic Beast 3.00 SCRATCH
2 2 Party in the Army 2.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 I’m Very Busy 1.40 1 2-1
7 7 Big Everest (GB) 3.50 1.7 3-1
6 6 Nantasket Beach 3.00 2.6 5-1
3 3 Nelson Avenue 15.00 4.2 8-1
1 1 General Jim 12.00 4.5 9-1
4 4 Regalo 10.00 5.7 11-1
8 8 Full Screen 10.00 6.5 12-1
2 2 Caramel Chip 15.00 6.6 13-1
11 11 Strapped 10.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Kuchar 12.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Big Blue Line 3.50 SCRATCH
9 9 Game Warden 6.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Light the Way 4.50 SCRATCH
14 14 Wynstock 6.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Shuvee S.) – Shuvee S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Raging Sea 1.00 1 2-1
2 2 Gun Song 10.00 4.7 9-1
1 1 Sidamara 10.00 4.7 9-1
7 7 Malibu Beauty 12.00 5.9 11-1
6 6 Dazzling Move 2.50 6 11-1
3 3 Leslie’s Rose 5.00 6.7 13-1
4 4 Prides Crossing 15.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 King of Ashes 4.50 1 2-1
2 2 Bakers Street 20.00 2.3 4-1
8 8 Warlander 12.00 3 6-1
5 5 Plensa 8.00 3.4 6-1
11 11 Thirteen Colonies 20.00 3.7 7-1
6 6 Strate Cash 6.00 3.9 7-1
9 9 Hands of Time 15.00 4 7-1
1 1 Asbury Park (GB) 1.80 4.8 9-1
4 4 Fond Farewell 8.00 4.9 9-1
3 3 Simulate 12.00 6.2 12-1
12 12 Solo Venturi 2.50 SCRATCH
10 10 Anegada 15.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Social Hour 4.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 10 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Artistic Success 5.00 1 2-1
4 4 Princess Summer 5.00 3.4 6-1
1 1 Lucy Playa 8.00 3.5 7-1
7 7 Otherpeoplesmoney 12.00 3.6 7-1
9 9 Saipan 4.00 3.6 7-1
2 2 Argentiera 20.00 4.8 9-1
5 5 Heart Collector 20.00 5.8 11-1
6 6 Fire Agate 8.00 6.8 13-1
13 13 Purest Performance 12.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Dancin Jane 2.50 SCRATCH
14 14 Lady Looie 20.00 SCRATCH
3 3 Graceful Warrior 15.00 SCRATCH
12 12 I Heard Somethings 20.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Sassy Maxine 20.00 SCRATCH

Picks are based on historical performance and match-up. Keep up to date on late scratches and other changes – those are not taken into consideration. Sports from the Basement provides no warranty on these suggestions and readers should make picks at their own risk.