Saratoga closes up shop this Sunday. On Sep. 5 is the 2020 Kentucky Derby, which means The Spa’s summer meet must come to an end. Saratoga runs a couple of Grade 1 races on Saturday, the Forego and the Sword Dancer Invitational. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Wednesday, August 26 to Sunday, August 30. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.
Horse Racing Odds & Picks for Top Stakes Races of the Week
- When: Wednesday, Aug. 26 – Sunday, Aug. 30
Wednesday, August 26
Saratoga Racecourse
- Mahoney Stakes – 5 ½ Furlongs Turf – $85,000
Turned Aside, Jack and Noah, and Maven should battle each other for favoritism. Of the three, Turned Aside may have the best chance. Those looking for an underdog should consider By Land and Sea or Sky of Hook.
Thursday, August 27
Saratoga Racecourse
- Smart N Fancy Stakes – 5 ½ Furlongs Turf – $85,000
Cristophe Clement trained Rose Flower figures to go off the chalk. Clement has had an awesome Saratoga meet. However, Peaceful, Givemotherarose, Victory Kingdom, and Saratoga Treasure are all capable.
Friday, August 28
Saratoga Racecourse
- Grade 3 Lake George Stakes – 1 Mile Turf – $100,000
Saffie Joseph Jr. trained Sugar Fix may have a say. No doubt, though, that Chad Brown’s horse, Selflessly, goes off the chalk. Sweet Melania and Micheline are both solid runners.
Del Mar Racecourse
- Tranquility Lake Stakes – 1 Mile – $65,000
Put your handicapping shoes on for the Tranquility Lake Stakes on Friday. Bob Baffert trained Message and Peter Miller trained Proud Emma figure to go off the favorites. But, don’t sleep on Smiling Shirlee. She’s fast!
Saturday, August 29
Saratoga Racecourse
- Grade 1 Sword Dancer Invitational – 1 ½ Miles Turf – $500,000
Grade 1 United Nations winner Aquaphobia. Sadler’s Joy got disqualified from 1st to 4th in the Grade 2 Bowling Green in his last. The Tom Albertrani trainee figures to go off no worse than second choice in this.
- Grade 1 Forego Stakes – 7 Furlongs – $300,000
Chad Brown trained Complexity will go off the chalk. But don’t accept short odds. The Forego projects as one of the deepest Grade 1 races of the year. In addition to Complexity, Win Win Win, Whitmore, Firenze Fire, Everfast, Mind Control, Lexitonian and True Timber are all probable.
- Grade 2 Amsterdam Stakes – 6 Furlongs – $150,000
Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial second-place finisher Tap It to Win headlines a nice group in the Amsterdam. Take a long look at Yaupon. The Steve Asmussen trainee is undefeated in two starts and takes a massive jump up in class from the allowance ranks to this Grade 2.
- Grade 3 Saranac Stakes – 1 Mile Turf – $100,000
Lightly raced Big Dreaming figures to get some looks. Michael Stidham trains and the colt has a win and a second from two races.
Del Mar Racecourse
- Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes – 7 Furlongs – $150,000
John Sadler saves Flagstaff for Del Mar. The Speightstown sired runner picks up Victor Espinoza, American Pharoah’s jockey, for the Pat O’Brien run on Saturday.
Monmouth Park
- Grade 3 Eatontown Stakes – 1 1/16 Miles Turf – $150,000
Graded turf stakes at Monmouth are often competitive. Hope to get a price on a front-runner or presser. On most days, the turf favors front running ponies.
Sunday, August 30
Saratoga Racecourse
- Grade 3 Shuvee Stakes – 1 1/8 Miles – $125,000
Bill Mott will saddle a couple in here, Horologist and Golden Award. Todd Pletcher will saddle three, Nonna Madeline, Bellera, and Another Broad. Neither Bill’s, nor Todd’s horses figure to go off the favorite. The chalk should be Royal Flag, trained by Chad Brown. She was too far off the pace in the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher in her last, a race that Horologist won.
