Saratoga Racecourse Fan Appreciation Week 2025: Full Race Preview for August 27th
Excitement is building at Saratoga Racecourse as Fan Appreciation Week kicks off its final week on Wednesday, August 27th, 2025. Trainers, jockeys, and fans are preparing for nine thrilling races, while the track celebrates with special discounts and entertainment.
The opening race, the Jonathan Sheppard H., a hurdle handicap for four-year-olds and up over 2 3/8 miles of turf and national fences, offers a total purse of $150,000. Key contenders include Givemefive (J: Gerard Galligan, T: Cyril Murphy), Hidden Path (J: Conor Tierney, T: Richard J. Hendriks), and Quick Master (J: Graham Watters, T: Jack Fisher).
At 1:48 pm, the Funny Cide Stakes for New York-bred two-year-olds over 6 furlongs on dirt carries a total prize money of $150,000, with highlighted runners Essentially Fast (J: Dylan Davis, T: Gary C. Contessa), Toga Twist (J: Manuel Franco, T: Jeremiah C. Englehart), and Fourth and One (J: Irad Ortiz, Jr., T: Jeremiah C. Englehart).
The Allowance Optional Claiming race at 2:20 pm on turf over 5 1/2F features a total purse of $100,000, with notable entrants Seaver (J: Dylan Davis, T: Bruce R. Brown), Vacation Dance (J: Irad Ortiz, Jr., T: Brad H. Cox), and Bostontonian (J: Lanfranco Dettori, T: Wesley A. Ward).
The 1-mile Claiming race at 2:52 pm has a total prize money of $68,000. Top contenders include Wonderful Justice (J: Irad Ortiz, Jr., T: Joe Sharp), Fredo (J: Christopher Elliott, T: Antonio Sano), and Johny’s Fireball (J: Jose Lezcano, T: Norm W. Casse).
The Maiden Claiming race at 3:26 pm carries a total purse of $72,000, featuring Discotheque (J: Ricardo Santana, Jr., T: Michael J. Maker), Grand Gesture (J: Junior Alvarado, T: William I. Mott), and Irrelevant (J: Irad Ortiz, Jr., T: Joe Sharp). The 4:00 pm turf edition of the Maiden Claiming race has a total prize money of $55,000, with Prove (J: Ricardo Santana, Jr., T: Amelia J. Green), Battle Drum (J: Irad Ortiz, Jr., T: Todd A. Pletcher), and Extrasensory (J: Dylan Davis, T: Chad C. Brown) among the leading contenders.
At 4:34 pm, the Claiming race for horses with fewer than three wins over one mile dirt offers a total purse of $38,000, featuring Baron of Sealand (J: Kendrick Carmouche, T: Danny Gargan), Funny Uncle (J: Irad Ortiz, Jr., T: Michael J. Maker), and Solo Empire (J: Flavien Prat, T: Rudy R. Rodriguez).
The P. G. Johnson Stakes at 5:07 pm on turf for fillies two years old carries a total prize money of $150,000. Leading runners include Blanchett (J: Manuel Franco, T: H. Graham Motion), Time to Dream (J: Irad Ortiz, Jr., T: Todd A. Pletcher), and Bayou Brigid (J: Junior Alvarado, T: Heather Smullen).
The closing Maiden Special Weight race at 5:44 pm over 5 1/2F turf offers a total purse of $80,000, highlighting Catholic Vice (J: Katie Davis, T: Carlos F. Martin), Bella Knows (J: Manuel Franco, T: Brad H. Cox), and Imminent Risk (J: Irad Ortiz, Jr., T: Joe Sharp).
Saratoga Racecourse Fan Appreciation Week 2025 promises thrilling contests, rising stars, and memorable performances, ensuring a spectacular day of racing for fans and competitors alike.
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