Saratoga Derby Picks, Odds, and Preview (Aug 2)
There is high-quality racing action set for Saratoga this weekend, with the card headlined by the competitive G1 Whitney Stakes. However, there will also be a big race for horses aged three on the turf, as the G1 Saratoga Derby will be run. You can find the odds and our picks for the big race here.
How To Watch
- When: Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 4:28 P.M. ET
- Where: Saratoga, New York
- How To Watch: FanDuel TV
Odds
| Driver | Odds |
|---|---|
| Hotazhell | +225 |
| Test Score | +275 |
| New Century | +450 |
| Final Gambit | +800 |
| World Beater | +1000 |
| Capitol Hill | +1200 |
| Tiztastic | +1200 |
| Other Selections | +2500 & Bigger |
Recent Winners of the Saratoga Derby
| Year | Winning Driver |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Carson’s Run |
| 2023 | Program Trading |
| 2022 | Nations Pride |
| 2021 | State Of Rest |
| 2020 | Domestic Spending |
| 2019 | A Thread Of Blue |
Race Preview
Since returning to the racing schedule in 2019, the G1 Saratoga Derby has been a key race in shaping the betting for the turf races at the Breeders’ Cup. This weekend’s race will be run over an extended mile and a furlong, and a talented field of nine will go to post at the Spa.
Test Score will be a very popular selection for trainer Graham Motion after landing the G1 Belmont Derby in impressive fashion on his latest start. The progressive three-year-old had a number of reappearing rivals behind him on that day, and could yet still be improving.
New Century was sent off as the favorite in the Belmont Derby, but the runner for Brendan Walsh has been frustrating for backers throughout his career. He could only finish fifth on his latest start, and he was also third in the G1 American Turf Stakes. His winless run now stretches back to his success over a mile at Woodbine in the G1 Summer Stakes last September.
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Final Gambit will once again try his luck on the turf this weekend. This season’s Kentucky Derby fourth has been frustrating, as he typically shows plenty in the final stages to highlight that he could be a winner in waiting. However, he was last of four in the G3 Matt Winn Stakes, before only taking fifth in the G1 Belmont Derby.
Tiztastic has followed a similar route after failing to stay the distance in the Derby in May when only tenth. Was last of five on his return to the turf at Churchill Downs in late June, but he has won twice from three starts on the grass, meaning a return to form isn’t unthinkable.
World Beater is one of the most interesting runners for trainer Riley Mott. The three-year-old was a close second behind Test Score in the G1 Belmont Derby, and he already has a win on the turf to his name after scoring at Churchill Downs at the end of May.
Saratoga Derby Picks
Hotazhell could be the class angle in the Saratoga Derby this weekend, for trainer Jessica Harrington. The three-year-old has mixed it with the best in Europe this season, and his win over Delacroix last October at Doncaster is still the best form line on offer in this race.
He ran an excellent race on his return in July when taking fifth in the G1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, beaten just three lengths by the runner he got the better of at Doncaster. Second time out, he should strip fitter.
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