Saratoga Picks: Grade 3 Victory Ride (07/03/2025)

The racing action from Saratoga on Thursday features the Victory Ride 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 P.M. ET; Claiming $36k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

• #1 OMEY ISLAND (5-2): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Should be able to work out a trip.

• #2 FLAT ON (6-5): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. May be able to take advantage of the pace.

• #5 I’M SOLO N IN LOVE (3-1): Contender. Potentially ready to hit a top number. Could jump up in the figures and be dangerous.

• #4 BURN NOTICE (6-1): Underneath. Franco puts this one in with a chance. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 5 – 4

The Plays:

• Win: #1 at 2-1

• Exacta: #1/5, 4

Saratoga Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:42 P.M. ET; Claiming $34k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #3 TONED UP (9-5): Top pick. Odds suggest this mare is ready to fire on debut. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.

• #4 KISS ME HARDY (3-1): Major Player. Productive recent form. Likely to get forward position.

• #1A ROMAN GODDESS (5-2): Major Player. Potential to have this pace fall just right.

• #1 COQUITO (5-2): Contender. Race shape gives this one an edge. Could be grinding down the competition late.

Selections: 3 – 4 – 1A – 1

The Plays:

• Win: #3 at 7-5

Saratoga Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 2:15 P.M. ET; Victory Ride Stakes $175k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 5 runners.

• #4 INDY BAY (8-5): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Favorable class relief in this spot.

• #1 BEAUTY REIGNS (2-1): Major Player. Alvarado puts this one in with a chance. May be able to take advantage of the pace.

• #2 HOLLYGROVE (6-1): Major Player. Speed figs match up nicely. Should sit a good trip.

• #3 ECHO SOUND (9-5): Contender. Recent races are solid. Fast enough on paper to compete.

Selections: 4 – 1 – 2 – 3

The Plays:

• Win: #4 at 2-1

• Exacta: #4/1, 2

Saratoga Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:48 P.M. ET; Maiden Claiming $38k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #8 UNWOKE (5-1): Longshot play of the day. Favorable class relief in this spot. Proven competitor at this configuration. Bet today’s live longshot on MyBookie.

• #3 STIRRED UP (4-1): Major Player. Well bred for this race. Should take a liking to the race shape.

• #5 GOING FOR GLORY (12-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types.

• #2 CHOCOLATECHOCOLATE (3-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Fast enough on paper to compete.

Selections: 8 – 3 – 5 – 2

The Plays:

• Win: #8 at 3-1

• Exacta Box: #8, 3, 5

Saratoga Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 3:21 P.M. ET; Claiming $63k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #8 ROYAL EVENT (12-1): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Proven competitor at this configuration.

• #7 MISS AMERICAN PIE (4-1): Major Player. Productive recent form.

• #1 SASSY SHENANIGANS (5-2): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races.

• #5 LAST MANGO (9-2): Contender. Ortiz puts this one in with a chance.

Selections: 8 – 7 – 1 – 5

The Plays:

• Win: #8 at 4-1

• Exacta Box: #8, 7, 1

Saratoga Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:53 P.M. ET; Maiden Special Weight $90k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

• #3 BIRCH RUN (4-1): Prime Win Player. Comes in with solid form.

• #2 IRON ORCHARD (9-5): Fringe Contender. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.

• #4 SALT PRINCESS (12-1): Underneath. Should find today’s group a bit softer.

• #6 DOLCE VINO (8-1): Underneath. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 3 – 2 – 4 – 6

The Plays:

• Win: #3 at 5-2

• Exacta: #3, 2/3, 2, 4, 6

Saratoga Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 4:28 P.M. ET; Starter Optional Claiming $73k; 5 1/2 F Turf; Field of 13 runners.

• #3 CHESS MASTER (7-2): Top pick. Decent form of late. Stamina to outlast the competition.

• #6 MAYA PRINCE (4-1): Major Player. Productive recent form.

• #7 HILARIOUS AFFAIR (5-1): Major Player. This one’s a fighter in the late stages.

• #11 GUN IT (2-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out.

Selections: 3 – 6 – 7 – 11

The Plays:

• Win: #3 at 2-1

• Exacta Box: #3, 6

• Trifecta: #3/6, 7, 11/6, 7, 11

Saratoga Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 5:03 P.M. ET; Wild Applause Stakes $150k; 1 M Turf; Field of 8 runners.

• #6 PLAY WITH FIRE (9-5): Best bet of the card. Should still have something in the tank late. Bet today’s best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.

• #3 ESPECIALLY (15-1): Contender. Should take a liking to the race shape.

• #1 FIXIN TO BEE (8-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types.

• #2 LOVE AND POETRY (8-1): Contender. Recent races are solid.

Selections: 6 – 3 – 1 – 2

The Plays:

• Win: #6 at 1-1

• Exacta: #6/3, 1, 2

• Trifecta: #6/3, 1, 2/3, 1, 2

• Pick 3 (races 8-10): #6 with #5,1 with #3,10,8,9

Saratoga Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 5:38 P.M. ET; Claiming $58k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #5 MARGIN OF AIR (8-5): Prime Win Player. Ortiz and Rodriguez team up on this one.

• #1 FROMANOTHAMUTHA (4-1): Contender. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.

• #3 WILD BANKER (30-1): Fringe Contender. Has experience at this level.

• #7 HE’S GOT THIS (12-1): Underneath. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 5 – 1 – 3 – 7

The Plays:

• Win: #5 at 7-5

• Exacta: #5/1, 3, 7

Saratoga Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 6:12 P.M. ET; Allowance $110k; 5 1/2 F Turf; Field of 14 runners.

• #3 LA SALVADORENA (7-2): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration.

• #10 TALES OF THE HEART (9-2): Major Player. Potentially cycling to a top performance.

• #8 THIENE (10-1): Contender. Could be dangerous.

• #9 LAMORNA (12-1): Contender. May be getting a weaker field.

Selections: 3 – 10 – 8 – 9

The Plays:

• Win: #3 at 2-1

• Exacta: #3/10, 8, 9

Saratoga Picks – Race 11

Post Time: 6:48 P.M. ET; Maiden Special Weight $100k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 13 runners.

• #13 ENDORSE (1-1): Prime Win Player. Race sets up perfectly.

• #8 CLIFFS (9-2): Contender. Should take a liking to the race shape.

• #5 KEY ACTRESS (5-1): Contender. Could wear these ones down late.

• #9 OPERA DE RAVEL (5-2): Contender. May be getting a weaker field.

Selections: 13 – 8 – 5 – 9

The Plays:

• Win: #13 at 7-5

• Exacta Box: #13, 8, 5

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Thursday Analysis

• Saratoga Picks featuring the Grade 3 Victory Ride Stakes

Friday Analysis

• Saratoga Picks featuring the Grade 2 Suburban Stakes

Saturday Analysis

• Horseshoe Indianapolis Picks featuring the Grade 3 Indiana Derby
• Los Alamitos Picks featuring the Grade 2 Great Lady M Stakes
• Saratoga Picks featuring the Grade 1 Belmont Derby