Check out my Wednesday (8-20-25) Saratoga Race Course Race 7 analysis below.
SAR 7 (Clm-50k, 8f dirt) – Post Time 4:34 PM ET
Primary – #5 NOTAH, #2 Passing Game
Secondary – #3 leading Contender, #6 Hero’s Medal
Horse Comments:
#5 Notah (4-1) dropped out of the allowance ranks into a $50k claimer on June 28 (first start in 7+ months), and he stalked the pace and missed by less than a length in that extended sprint. He reunites with his winning rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. and he dueled, led, and was best of the rest in third in his lone try at one mile. This is his second start of the year and there is a chance of rain on Wednesday, and he wired the field in the slop at Aqueduct last year.
#2 Passing Game (5-2) missed by a head under Wednesday’s rider Jose Ortiz at this level in a flat mile race at Churchill Downs on June 14 and Linda Rice claimed him that day. He was up the track in the slop vs. better OC-50k foes at Ellis Park last time, and he is back at his claimed level and he sports two local works for this engagement.
#3 Leading Contender (3-1) is 2-for-13 with six runner-up finishes. He set a pressured pace and was a clear second in a 3-horse field (off the turf) as the beaten favorite May 16. I made him my top choice in a local $50k claimer at 9f on July 5 and he chased the pace and was best of the rest in third. Gustavo Delgado claimed him last time and he is probably in the mix vs. this crew.
#6 Hero’s Medal (5-1) finished a length and a half in front of Leading Contender on July 5, and he ran out of ground at 6 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 3. This is a better distance and maybe his new rider Manny Franco will help him rediscover his tactical speed.
Wagers:
#5 to win
Exacta box 2-5
Trifecta 2-5/2-3-5-6/2-3-5-6
August 2025 Bettor Bet$ Free Pick Winners
Aug. 1 – Speedy Wilson ($5.20)
Aug. 3 – The Padre ($4.00), Exacta ($12.00)
Aug. 5 – Real Naughty/Thalberg ($13.20)
Aug. 6 – Parchment Party/Digital Ops Exacta ($9.60), Trifecta ($30.40)
Aug. 8 – Sammy Davis ($5.80), Trifecta ($33.80)
Aug. 9 – Privman ($4.00), Exacta ($5.80)
Aug. 11 – Grounded ($12.80)
Aug. 12 – Dreaming of Kona ($8.80), Exacta ($20.40)
Aug. 14 – Roselee May/Thebestisyettobe/Eternal Reign Trifecta ($141.40)
Aug. 16 – Nitrogen ($6.10), Exacta ($11.20), Trifecta ($36.20)
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