Early Races Set the Competitive Tone
The afternoon opens at 1:10 pm with a maiden special weight on dirt over 1 1/8 miles for fillies and mares, three years old and upward. Stone Cold Kelly, Bon Vivant, Danzit, Raghba, Green Jobs, and Absolute Honor will vie for the $100,000 purse. The second race, a $48,000 claiming sprint over seven furlongs at 1:44 pm, brings a mix of form and potential, with Golden Symphony, Tizmarkus, and First Trumpet among the names to watch.
Momentum builds in the third, a turf dash at 5½ furlongs worth $100,000, featuring international flavor with Extraordinary One (GB) and local hopefuls like Hellacious and Our Starry Night. By 2:52 pm, attention shifts to a starter optional claimer over seven furlongs on dirt, where Makes Sense, Ranger Battalion, and Bear Claw Necklace look poised for strong runs.
Mid-Card Dirt and Turf Battles
The fifth race, a mile-long dirt claiming event at 3:27 pm, tests horses with just one win to their name, while at 4:02 pm, two-year-old maidens take to the turf for another $100,000 contest. The juvenile lineup includes Donegal Now, Belgian, Schwarzenegger, and Augustinian, promising an early look at future stakes prospects.
Spotlight on the New York Stallion Series Stakes
The New York Stallion Series Stakes at Saratoga Racecourse goes off at 4:36 pm, exclusively for three-year-olds eligible under the New York stallion program. Run over a mile of Saratoga’s turf, it offers $150,000 and a test of both pace and positioning. Coach Case, Buttah, Friend Ofthe Devil, River of Time, George Briggs, Cast a Coin, I’m Due, and Moe Eighty Eight form a diverse and competitive field. With a mix of proven stakes form and rising stars, the race is set to command attention from bettors and fans alike.
Closing Stages of the Card
At 5:10 pm is a maiden claimer over seven furlongs on dirt, while the second last race at 5:44 pm takes to the turf over 1 1/16 miles for a $75,000 starter optional claimer. Fields here include Brit’s Wit, Heathguard, and Mo Kreesa, with final placings often hinging on late-race tactics.
The finale at 6:19 pm is a New York-bred maiden claimer over 1 1/16 miles on turf, offering $50,000. Wind Dancer, Monomoys Partner, Mizty Fog, and Prince of Dance will aim to close the curtain on the day in style, giving bettors one last chance at a Saratoga payoff.
Why This Card Matters
August 14’s program blends developmental races with high-purse stakes, making it a snapshot of the Saratoga season’s competitive depth. From juvenile turf sprints to the tradition-rich New York Stallion Series Stakes at Saratoga Racecourse, the day promises memorable finishes. For more insights on Saratoga’s summer meet, visit our Saratoga Racing Preview on RaceBuzz.
