Saratoga Picks: Albany Stakes (08/21/2025)

The racing action from Saratoga on Thursday features the Albany Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Saratoga picks for the entire card!

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Saratoga Full Card Analysis

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Saratoga Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 1:10 PM ET; Allowance $95k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #3 CITY BLOCKS (3-1): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Stamina to outlast the competition.
• #6 ACCELERATED NEWS (5-2): Major Player. Potentially cycling to a top performance. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
• #4 CRIMSON QUEEN (8-1): Contender. This one’s a fighter in the late stages. Speed figs match up nicely.
• #2 STRACA (6-1): Fringe Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field.

Selections: 3 – 6 – 4 – 2

The Plays

Win: #3 at 2-1

Exacta Box: 3, 6

Saratoga Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:44 PM ET; Maiden Optional Claiming $80k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.

• #6 IRTIQAA (9-2): Prime Win Player. Barn has been solid. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #7 BIRCH RUN (4-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer is having a great meet. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
• #8 ST. BRIGID’S CROSS (6-1): Fringe Contender. May be able find the right setup. Could wear these ones down late.
• #1 TWO BY TWO BY TWO (8-1): Underneath. Prat puts this one in with a chance. Trainer’s horses have been running.

Selections: 6 – 7 – 8 – 1

The Plays

Win: #6 at 4-1

Trifecta: 6 / 7, 8 / 1, 7, 8

Saratoga Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 2:18 PM ET; Fleet Indian Stakes $200k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 5 runners.

• #2 VEHEMENTE (7-2): Top pick. Favorable class relief in this spot. Race sets up perfectly.
• #3 KAY CUP (6-5): Major Player. Looks fast enough off previous efforts. Good race flow for this runner.
• #1 CARMEN’S CANDY JAR (6-1): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races. Previous success in similar race types.
• #4 LOTTIE MARGARET (5-2): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Trainer’s horses have been running.

Selections: 2 – 3 – 1 – 4

The Plays

Win: #2 at 3-1

Exacta Box: 2, 3, 1

Saratoga Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:52 PM ET; Allowance $95k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.

• #7 MIZTERTONIC (8-5): Prime Win Player. Fits well with this group. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #8 ORTUS (6-1): Contender. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
• #4 OUTTAWATERBURY (8-1): Contender. Should find today’s group a bit softer than the last race. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #6 COACH CASE (7-2): Contender. Recent races are solid. Trainer’s horses have been running.

Selections: 7 – 8 – 4 – 6

The Plays

Win: #7 at 8-5

Exacta: 7 / 8, 4, 6

Saratoga Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 3:27 PM ET; Maiden Optional Claiming $80k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.

• #1 MAKEALITTLELOVE (9-2): Prime Win Player. Prat puts this one in with a chance.
• #6 DEVILISH GRIN (3-1): Contender. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues. May be able to take advantage of the pace.
• #4 PAN PAN (7-2): Contender. Could jump up in the figures and be dangerous. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #7 AMERICAN MINK (10-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer’s horses have been running. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 1 – 6 – 4 – 7

The Plays

Win: #1 at 9-2

Exacta: 1 / 6, 4

Saratoga Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 4:02 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $80k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 14 runners.

• #4 SPARKLING MAMA (6-1): Longshot play of the day. Solid breeding for this spot. Races competitive with the top contenders. Bet today’s live longshot on MyBookie.
• #7 JETTY’S HOME (7-2): Major Player. Productive recent form. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
• #13 WANDER WOMAN (9-2): Major Player. Castellano and Moubarak team up on this one. Previous success in similar race types.
• #8 SALT PRINCESS (8-1): Contender. Trainer’s horses have been running. Could be ready to hit a peak performance.

Selections: 4 – 7 – 13 – 8

The Plays

Win: #4 at 5-1

Trifecta: 4 / 7, 13 / 7, 8, 13

Saratoga Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 4:36 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $100k; 5 1/2 F Turf; Field of 12 runners.

• #10 SONJA HENIE (15-1): Top pick. Solid breeding for this spot. Race may setup for this runner.
• #6 FAST MARKET (6-1): Major Player. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
• #7 SPORTING LADY (15-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #12 GIN’S BEACH ROAD (7-2): Major Player. Recent races are solid. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 10 – 6 – 7 – 12

The Plays

Win: #10 at 5-1

Exacta: 10 / 6, 7, 12

Saratoga Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 5:10 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $115k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #3 LEMON MUFFIN (4-1): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Race sets up perfectly.
• #5 CATHERINE WHEEL (2-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
• #7 CUPID’S HEART (3-1): Major Player. Potentially ready to hit a top number. Has experience at this level.
• #4 BRAGANZA (12-1): Contender. Race shape gives this one an edge.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 7 – 4

The Plays

Win: #3 at 3-1

Exacta Box: 3, 5, 7

Pick 3 (races 8-10): #3,5,7 with #5 with #2,9

Saratoga Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 5:44 PM ET; Albany Stakes $200k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

• #5 TRAIN THE TRAINER (1-1): Best bet of the card. Comes in with solid form. Race sets up perfectly. Bet today’s best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
• #4 IRON DOME (7-5): Major Player. Good race flow for this runner. Can run with these.
• #6 HIT THE POST (9-2): Contender. Should sit a good trip.
• #1 KING’S LEAP (12-1): Fringe Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Shouldn’t be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 5 – 4 – 6 – 1

The Plays

Win: #5 at 1-1

Exacta: 5 / 4, 6

Saratoga Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 6:19 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $90k; 5 1/2 F Turf; Field of 11 runners.

• #2 NO ORDINARY LOVE (5-2): Top pick. Favorable class relief in this spot. Should be able to work out a trip.
• #9 GARDEN OF GRACE (7-2): Major Player. Potentially cycling to a top performance. Good race flow for this runner.
• #10 APERITIF (6-1): Contender. Should sit a good trip. Ortiz puts this one in with a chance.
• #8 ULTRA CAMEO (10-1): Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Trainer’s horses have been running.

Selections: 2 – 9 – 10 – 8

The Plays

Win: #2 at 2-1

Exacta: 2 / 9, 10

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

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Thursday Analysis

• Saratoga Picks featuring the Albany Stakes

Friday Analysis

• Charles Town Picks featuring the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic

Saturday Analysis

• Del Mar Picks featuring the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien (Win and You’re In for the Breeders’ Cup)
• Saratoga Picks featuring the Grade 1 Travers Stakes
• Woodbine Picks featuring the Grade 3 Seaway Stakes