Saratoga Horse Racing Picks for Friday, August 8, 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 Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Max Money 4.50 1 2-1
4 4 World Wide Web 4.00 2 4-1
1 1 Running On Bourbon 8.00 3 6-1
2 2 Napoleon Solo 2.50 3.1 6-1
5 5 Fin Del Mundo 10.00 3.5 7-1
6 6 Moon On Fire 12.00 3.8 7-1
7 7 Neigh Baby 3.50 3.8 7-1
8 8 Hong Kong Phooey 8.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Alexis Zorba (GB) 1.60 1 2-1
3 3 Billionaires Row 2.50 1.6 3-1
2 2 Epitaph 8.00 2.5 5-1
4 4 Film Academy 5.00 3.3 6-1
5 5 Global Prosperity 4.00 3.5 7-1
7 7 Fly’n Frisbee 20.00 SCRATCH
8 8 Tactical Trackstar 0.60 SCRATCH
1 1 Maybern 12.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Beach Ballad 5.00 1 2-1
5 5 Mappy 20.00 2.7 5-1
7 7 Fraudster 4.50 3.8 7-1
4 4 Deep Learning 3.00 4.5 9-1
3 3 Well Shaken 15.00 4.7 9-1
2 2 Bisclavret 6.00 4.8 9-1
6 6 Social Scene (GB) 5.00 5.7 11-1
8 8 Pampered 6.00 5.9 11-1
9 9 Sweet Little Lila (IRE) 8.00 6.1 11-1
10 10 Fancy Footwork 2.50 SCRATCH
11 11 Ginger Ale 3.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 1 Valenzan Day 2.00 1 2-1
3 2 Tiberius Mercurius 6.00 2.9 5-1
1A 7 Winter’s Ghost 1.40 3.4 6-1
7 8 He’s Got This 4.00 4.5 9-1
6 5 Midnight Trouble 20.00 5.1 10-1
5 4 Whenlovetakesover 15.00 5.5 10-1
4 3 Centavo 15.00 5.7 11-1
1 6 Brew Pub 1.40 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Lawyer Mason 6.00 1 2-1
11 11 Diliello 2.00 1.1 2-1
4 4 Big Brooklyn 15.00 5.4 10-1
7 7 Truman’s Commander 3.00 5.5 10-1
6 6 Constant Chaos 20.00 5.8 11-1
3 3 Chummers 10.00 5.8 11-1
5 5 Make a Prediction 20.00 5.9 11-1
8 8 Daisy Doo 10.00 6 11-1
14 14 Arctic Beast 2.50 SCRATCH
12 12 Cristobal 1.80 SCRATCH
10 10 Moonlight Drive 2.50 SCRATCH
9 9 Three Thirteen 6.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Takahama 20.00 SCRATCH
1 1 King of Fog 12.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Bod Beach 4.50 1 2-1
6 6 Empires King 2.00 2.3 4-1
5 5 Funny Factor 10.00 3.4 6-1
8 8 Tactics 3.50 5.4 10-1
1 1 Aye Eye 15.00 5.5 10-1
2 2 Escape Hall 4.50 5.6 11-1
7 7 Jolted 6.00 6.7 13-1
4 4 Hoosick Falls 15.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 2 Perretti (IRE) 6.00 1 2-1
2 1 Salamis 3.00 1.2 2-1
8 8 Blast Furnace 4.00 2.5 5-1
1 3 Apalta 3.50 2.8 5-1
6 6 Royal Presence 8.00 2.9 5-1
5 5 Disclaimer 6.00 3.3 6-1
7 7 The Hero Code 15.00 3.9 7-1
4 4 Prariedale 6.00 5.8 11-1
9 10 Duration 1.20 SCRATCH
1A 9 Peak Performer 3.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Ballston Spa S.) – Ballston Spa S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Ozara (IRE) 6.00 1 2-1
5 5 No Mo Candy 8.00 2 4-1
7 7 Ocean Club 10.00 3.2 6-1
2 2 Whiskey Decision 6.00 3.5 7-1
9 9 Deep Satin 5.00 3.6 7-1
4 4 Edict (ARG) 15.00 4.9 9-1
6 6 Maggie Go (ARG) 4.00 5.7 11-1
8 8 Freedom Speaks 30.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Amanda’s Folly 6.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Bernietakescharge 0.80 SCRATCH
12 12 Just Music 8.00 SCRATCH
1 1 Be Your Best (IRE) 1.80 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 9 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Uncle Jim 4.00 1 2-1
2 2 Consider It Done 3.50 2.5 5-1
7 7 Backtrack 3.50 2.8 5-1
4 4 Three B’s 4.50 3.5 7-1
3 3 Awesome Empire 10.00 4.6 9-1
5 5 Tapwrits Temper 12.00 SCRATCH
1 1 Storm the Streets 2.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 10 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Johny’s Rendezvous 3.50 1 2-1
5 5 Antietam 4.50 2 4-1
1 1 Snare 8.00 3.1 6-1
6 6 Maki Monarchy 4.00 3.3 6-1
8 8 Wicked Improbable 6.00 3.7 7-1
4 4 Favorable Scenario 6.00 5.1 10-1
7 7 Uncle’s Gold 15.00 6.4 12-1
2 2 Free Spin 8.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Worthy Charge 1.20 SCRATCH
10 10 Salvation 4.00 SCRATCH
9 9 Dragoneer 10.00 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.