Horse Racing Picks: Ballerina Handicap Prediction, Preview, and Odds (Aug 26)

• Ballerina Handicap will see fillies and mares aged three and older compete for a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint
• This race is staged over seven furlongs on the dirt

The Grade 1 action comes thick and fast at Saratoga this weekend, with some of the best fillies and mares in the U.S. in action in the Ballerina Handicap. This race will be staged over seven furlongs, with the winning runner booking their spot in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

---

Schedule and How To Watch

• When: Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 4:55 p.m. ET
• Where: Saratoga, New York
• How To Watch: FanDuel TV

---

Ballerina Handicap Stakes

Horse	Odds
Echo Zulu	+140
Goodnight Olive	+190
Matareya	+600
Wicked Halo	+800
Caramel Swirl	+1000
Maryquitecontrary	+1500
Dr B	+1500
Sterling Silver	+3000

Latest odds taken from an offshore sportsbook

---

Race Preview

A stunning renewal of the Ballerina Handicap is set for Saratoga this weekend, as the tenth race on the card will see the clash between two champions. Echo Zulu and Goodnight Olive both dominate the betting for the Grade 1, and both will have extremely solid claims to land a spot at the Breeders’ Cup later this year.

Echo Zulu is the runner for Steven Asmussen, and she comes into this race in excellent recent form in 2023. She landed a victory at Saratoga on her previous start, landing the G2 Honorable Miss Handicap, scoring a speed figure of 114, as she breezed clear of Dr B.

READ MORE: Canelo Alvarez vs Jermell Charlo Prediction, Preview, and Odds (Sept 30)

🤩 Champion Female Sprinter GOODNIGHT OLIVE dominated the G1 Madison @keenelandracing‼️

🎥 @TwinSpires
pic.twitter.com/hTm2Tce2jI

— World Horse Racing (@WHR) April 8, 2023

However, she was beaten by Goodnight Olive on the previous clash between the rivals, as the Chad Brown runner landed the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint by a widening margin. She was beaten on her return to action at Churchill Downs in May. However, that was followed by a stunning win over seven furlongs at Belmont Park, as she landed the G2 Bed o’ Roses Invitational, scoring a speed rating of 104.

Wicked Halo and Matareya both make intriguing cases from the remainder. However, the latter could be the most intriguing of the runners. The Brad Cox-trained horse was third in the G3 Chicago on her previous start, but she was excellent over seven furlongs at Churchill Downs earlier in the season to land the G1 Derby City Distaff, beating Goodnight Olive and Wicked Halo.

---

Ballerina Handicap Prediction

It is an excellent renewal of the Ballerina, and the top two merit all the support. However, the preference remains for Goodnight Olive over this trip, as we expect her to continue her dominance over seven furlongs.

Free Pick: