Saratoga Horse Racing Picks for Friday, August 15, 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
1A 4 Caroline St. Beat 2.00 1 2-1
4 2 Stickupwithoutagun 12.00 1.1 2-1
5 7 Jack’s World 6.00 2.2 4-1
3 1 Tim and Sam 6.00 2.3 4-1
2B 6 Genie 5.00 2.9 5-1
8 10 Verbinden 20.00 3.4 7-1
6 8 Newlyn 8.00 3.5 7-1
7 9 Honoree 3.00 3.8 7-1
1 3 Jaxer 2.00 SCRATCH
2 5 Force 5.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Ruleroftheuniverse 6.00 1 2-1
2 2 Dreamlike 1.60 1.8 3-1
3 3 Commuted 8.00 1.9 4-1
1 1 Incantation 20.00 2.7 5-1
4 4 Invictus 1.80 SCRATCH
5 5 The Boondocker 3.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Employeeofthemonth 3.50 1 2-1
3 3 Baby Sassicaia 3.00 1.4 3-1
1 1 Sheer Will 2.50 2.4 5-1
5 5 Here’syourtrouble 3.00 2.5 5-1
7 7 Lady Gunner 12.00 5.3 10-1
2 2 Sassy Maxine 12.00 5.8 11-1
4 4 Tafaany 15.00 6 11-1
8 8 Contract Law 15.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Just Add Water 4.00 1 2-1
2 2 Bustin Bullet 6.00 1.9 4-1
3 3 Weekend Rags 5.00 2.1 4-1
1 1 Strictly Taboo 4.00 2.3 4-1
8 8 Firsttimeinforever 6.00 2.8 5-1
7 7 Kerry 15.00 3.6 7-1
4 4 Bellacose 8.00 3.6 7-1
9 9 Majestic Return 3.50 SCRATCH
5 5 Marco T. 3.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 5 Suspiciously Named 10.00 1 2-1
7 6 The Nominees Are 3.50 1.1 2-1
4 3 Bermuda Triangle 10.00 1.2 2-1
9 9 Policy Change 5.00 2.7 5-1
2 1 Founders 8.00 3.3 6-1
3 2 Fully Booked 8.00 3.5 7-1
8 8 Swamp Fox 6.00 6.6 12-1
5 4 Starship Titan 20.00 7.1 13-1
1 7 Vintage Vino 2.50 SCRATCH
10 10 Sturdy 1.60 SCRATCH
1A 13 Salvation 2.50 SCRATCH
12 12 Fiddling Felix 5.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Araucano 12.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Valentine Crusader 2.50 1 2-1
2 2 Sunday Boy 8.00 2.6 5-1
8 8 Arctic Beast 5.00 3.5 7-1
3 3 Froutien 3.50 3.5 7-1
4 4 Pride of the Union 4.50 3.6 7-1
5 5 Diamond Life 6.00 4.1 8-1
6 6 Mission Critical 8.00 SCRATCH
7 7 King of Fog 20.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Volatile Market 8.00 1 2-1
7 7 Hey Cookie 3.50 1.2 2-1
4 4 Golden Irish 3.00 1.5 3-1
2 2 Spun Size 6.00 3.2 6-1
6 6 That’s Funny 10.00 4.8 9-1
8 8 Circuit Court 6.00 5.2 10-1
5 5 Royal Event 20.00 5.5 10-1
9 9 Always Practical 8.00 SCRATCH
1 1 Feasible 5.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Will Not Be Swayed 2.00 1 2-1
12 12 Bunny Honey 12.00 1.8 3-1
9 9 Silent Melody 5.00 2.8 5-1
7 7 Starlight Dancer 3.00 3 6-1
10 10 Boxed Wine 8.00 3.2 6-1
4 4 River Tay (IRE) 8.00 4 8-1
6 6 Proud Mary 12.00 5.3 10-1
11 11 Alette d’Oro 30.00 7 13-1
3 3 Rock Harbor 20.00 7.4 14-1
2 2 Lady River Lily 50.00 7.7 14-1
8 8 Quite Continental 8.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Widdershins 20.00 SCRATCH
1 1 Flatter Fanatic 20.00 SCRATCH
14 14 Leslie’s Star 4.50 SCRATCH
15 15 Gold Stamp 20.00 SCRATCH
16 16 Higher Force 5.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 9 (Smart And Fancy S.) – Smart And Fancy S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Future Is Now 1.20 1 2-1
5 5 Twirling Queen 6.00 2.9 5-1
8 8 Sunday Girl 8.00 3.2 6-1
4 4 Ellen Jay 3.00 3.5 7-1
3 3 Benedetta 12.00 3.9 7-1
7 7 Dontlookbackatall 15.00 4.5 8-1
2 2 Risk Threshold (IRE) 12.00 5.4 10-1
9 9 Out too Late (GB) 30.00 6.1 11-1
1 1 Gal in a Rush 12.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Little Prankster 4.50 SCRATCH
10 10 Legadema 6.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Undisputed 4.50 1 2-1
5 5 Twohonestmischief 12.00 1.8 3-1
3 3 God Given 20.00 2.9 5-1
9 9 Kaz Oil Changer 4.00 3 6-1
7 7 State of Readiness 8.00 3.1 6-1
8 8 Solo Jim 3.50 3.5 7-1
2 2 Dormello 4.00 5.1 10-1
6 6 Inspeightofcharlie 12.00 5.8 11-1
10 10 Montosoli 20.00 SCRATCH
1 1 Chris’s Song 8.00 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.