Saratoga Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, August 16, 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 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 4 Norwich 4.00 1 2-1
4 5 House United 3.00 1.6 3-1
2 3 Airborne Elite 4.50 1.8 3-1
1 1 Fear of Union 4.00 1.9 4-1
6 7 Indy Magic 3.50 1.9 4-1
5 6 Sweetalkingbourbon 3.50 3.4 7-1
1A 2 Zippy Mark 4.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Victory Hall 2.50 1 2-1
6 6 Belloro 3.50 3.5 7-1
3 3 Avery’s Wonderland 4.00 4.1 8-1
2 2 Probable Angle 6.00 4.6 9-1
4 4 One Holy Roller 5.00 5.5 10-1
7 7 Pinky Brier 4.50 5.8 11-1
5 5 Maxpower 12.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Magnolia Midnight 3.00 1 2-1
2 2 Treaty Obligation 2.50 1.4 3-1
5 5 Unclecharliesgift 6.00 1.5 3-1
4 4 Stolen Base 5.00 2.8 5-1
3 3 Gun It 4.00 SCRATCH
6 6 Alternate Reality 3.50 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Sun Kiss 8.00 1 2-1
6 6 Tennessee Belle 1.40 1.4 3-1
3 3 Amended Dreamer 8.00 1.5 3-1
4 4 Nonna Teresa 3.50 1.8 3-1
5 5 Cognition 4.00 1.9 4-1
8 8 Saratoga Party 10.00 2 4-1
7 7 All About You 15.00 3.9 7-1
2 2 Run Wild 15.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Fuerteventura 2.00 1 2-1
3 3 Outsource 8.00 5 10-1
1 1 Kigali 6.00 5.6 10-1
6 6 Zverev 3.00 5.6 11-1
5 5 Il Siciliano 4.00 6.1 11-1
2 2 Ambition 10.00 8.1 15-1
7 7 Investment Mandate 6.00 8.8 17-1
12 12 Whittington Park 8.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Cartucho 3.00 SCRATCH
9 9 Frizzante 4.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Valentinian 1.60 SCRATCH
8 8 Wise Up 6.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 So It Begins 30.00 1 2-1
3 3 Keto Drink 2.50 1.2 2-1
2 2 Santina 3.50 1.4 3-1
9 9 In Her Glory 8.00 1.9 4-1
1 1 Bodacious Queen 12.00 2 4-1
6 6 Pisces Moon 50.00 2.4 4-1
8 8 Bibi Dahl 4.00 2.7 5-1
7 7 Sadie Earp 4.50 3.4 6-1
10 10 Should’ve 3.50 SCRATCH
5 5 Headspin 6.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 3 Hero Declared 2.50 1 2-1
3 2 Alghero 6.00 2.1 4-1
5 5 It’s Our Time 4.50 2.2 4-1
7 7 Forever Man 8.00 2.4 4-1
6 6 Cost Effective 8.00 2.6 5-1
2 1 Renegade 4.00 2.6 5-1
8 8 Tiger Rocket 12.00 3.4 6-1
9 10 Supreme Good (IRE) 20.00 3.8 7-1
1A 9 Good Illusion 8.00 4 8-1
1 4 Talkin 8.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Crimson Light 6.00 1 2-1
3 3 Get a Job 3.50 4.6 9-1
7 7 Aggregation 4.00 4.8 9-1
1 1 Palace Boss 6.00 5.9 11-1
4 4 Cicciobello 4.50 6.5 12-1
6 6 Shared Success 6.00 7.2 14-1
2 2 Mighty Atlas 15.00 7.6 14-1
9 9 Cut the Cord 6.00 7.6 14-1
5 5 Rock the Weekend 20.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Skidmore S.) – Skidmore S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Bobrovsky 6.00 1 2-1
3 3 Monster 8.00 1.5 3-1
6 6 Malus 12.00 1.6 3-1
4 4 Tough Critic 6.00 1.8 3-1
8 8 Spirit of New York 3.50 3.5 7-1
2 2 Sandal’s Song 2.00 SCRATCH
1 1 Schwarzenegger 4.00 SCRATCH
5 5 Gypsy Art 20.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 10 (Alabama S. Presented By Keeneland Sales) – Alabama S. Presented By Keeneland Sales

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Good Cheer 1.60 1 2-1
4 4 Nitrogen 1.80 2.8 5-1
6 6 La Cara 2.50 3.5 7-1
1 1 Margie’s Intention 8.00 3.8 7-1
3 3 Kinzie Queen 15.00 5.4 10-1
5 5 Queen Azteca 12.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 11 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Landman Friday 6.00 1 2-1
1 1 Assertiveness 2.00 1.7 3-1
2 2 Dakota Country 5.00 2.8 5-1
5 5 Mo Go 4.50 3.3 6-1
4 4 Ready Set Twirl 15.00 4.8 9-1
10 10 Kid Kreesa 3.50 4.9 9-1
3 3 Heroneandonly 50.00 5.4 10-1
6 6 Magni 20.00 5.5 10-1
8 8 Middle Market 30.00 5.5 10-1
9 9 Sky Masterson 15.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 12 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Bustin Away 10.00 1 2-1
4 4 On the Ledge 6.00 3.6 7-1
2 2 Not for Hire 3.00 4.6 9-1
8 8 Sir Kartrite 8.00 5.5 10-1
5 5 Courtly Banker 4.50 5.6 10-1
10 10 Pay the Juice 4.00 6.4 12-1
1 1 Spoken Bluntly 4.50 6.6 12-1
3 3 Stormy Birthday 20.00 6.8 13-1
7 7 Alan Turing 20.00 7.5 14-1
9 9 Scaramanga 30.00 8.1 15-1
12 12 Vekinda 3.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Roofer 2.50 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.