Grade 1 Whitney | Saratoga | Race 11 | August 2


1. Mindframe (5-2) Jockey: Jose Gomez | Trainer: Todd Pletcher


Purchased for $600,000, Mindframe has earned over $1.8 million with a career record of 5-2-0 in 7 starts. This 4-year-old colt has shown remarkable improvement throughout his career, winning back-to-back Grade 1 races in the Churchill Downs Stakes and Stephen Foster. The rapidly ascending 4-year-old sired by Constitution enters the Whitney with a brilliant victory in the Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs, defeating Sierra Leone and First Mission. His running style as a stalker aligns with Saratoga's dirt route bias of the Whitney, and his recent form suggests he's approaching his peak. The rail draw could prove advantageous if he can secure a ground-saving trip early and unleash his powerful finish. Mindframe is a likely scratch candidate.


2. Skippylongstocking (10-1) Jockey: Jose Ortiz | Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.


Skippylongstocking has achieved 11 wins from 29 starts, earning over $3.6 million. This son of Exaggerator has excelled against top competition, winning back-to-back (G2) Charles Town Classics and the (G2) Oaklawn Handicap and (G2) Hollywood Gold Cup. His consistency stands out with 21 finishes in the top three, and his morning workouts have been sharp. His ability to adapt to different surfaces and his proven stamina at the Whitney distance make him a versatile contender. Skippy has a record of 5 wins in 15 tries at 9 furlongs on dirt, but he has yet to win in his one start at Saratoga. It is rumored that Skippy will enter the Charles Town Classic in two weeks, a race he has won for two consecutive years, with a purse of $1 million. He's likely to scratch from this race to run in a much easier spot.


3. Highland Falls (8-1) Jockey: Luis Saez | Trainer: Brad Cox


The well-bred son of Curlin represents Godolphin's hopes in his return to Saratoga, where he captured the (G1) Jockey Club Gold Cup last year. This 5-year-old homebred impressed in his 2025 debut, winning an allowance race (1-9 chalk) by 5 ½ lengths at Belmont. His pedigree is impeccable, out of Round Pond, the 2006 Breeders' Cup Distaff winner, giving him class and stamina credentials. Highland Falls has earned over $1.3 million with six wins, 2 seconds, and one third-place in 11 career starts. Regular rider Flavien Prat has decided to jump aboard Sierra Leone. Use Underneath.


4. Mama's Gold (50-1) Jockey: Romero Maragh | Trainer: James Ferraro


The New York-bred son of Bolt d'Oro represents the longest shot in the field but brings local connections and recent improvement. This 5-year-old has shown steady progress under trainer James Ferraro, including a solid second-place finish in the Commentator Stakes for New York-breds on June 4. His breeding suggests he could handle the Whitney distance, and his recent speed figures have shown notable improvement. This is a significant step up in class for a horse that lacks elite stamina but is likely to be in the lead; however, for how long? He’s been on the lead at first call in six straight races. Catch me if you can.


5. Sierra Leone (2-1) Jockey: Flavien Prat, Trainer: Chad Brown


With 11 career starts (4 wins, 4 seconds, three thirds) and over $6.2 million in earnings, Sierra Leone is the reigning 2024 Champion 3-Year-Old Male and defending Breeders' Cup Classic winner. His 2025 season has featured near misses, including a second-place finish to Mystik Dan in the (G1) Kentucky Derby and a recent defeat by Mindframe in the (G1) Stephen Foster Stakes. Known for his tactical speed and strong closing ability, he seeks redemption at Saratoga, where he has not won in three attempts. Flavien Prat, who has ridden him in his last six races, knows him well. Win Contender.


6. Disarm (15-1) Jockey: Joel Rosario | Trainer: Steven Asmussen


Disarm is a 5-year-old son of Gun Runner who enters the Whitney Stakes with over $1.4 million in earnings and an impressive record in stakes races, including a second-place finish in the 2023 Travers Stakes. His recent form is strong, highlighted by a victory in an allowance race in March. Steven Asmussen has excelled with older horses in major races. Disarm's ability to navigate Saratoga's demands and his tactical versatility make him a compelling underdog, with the potential to hit the board in this competitive race. He has finished in the top three in 10 out of 16 races. Disarm will only be cross-entered on the main track at Saratoga this Friday. If the races are off the turf at the Spa on Friday, Disarm will not participate in this race.


7. White Abarrio (4-1) Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. | Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.


Saffie Joseph Jr.'s entry number two and what an investment White Abarrio has turned into. Purchased for $40,000 in 2021, he has earned a whopping $7,031,390 with 10 wins from 22 starts. This 6-year-old son of Race Day has been in excellent form, capturing the (G1) Pegasus World Cup and (G2) Ghostzapper Stakes earlier this year. White Abario's recent performance in the Metropolitan Mile was disappointing, as he has not fared well on wet tracks, showing a record of 0-for-2 with one third-place finish. He finished fourth, 5 ¼ lengths behind Raging Torrent, with odds of 5-2 on June 7. However, White Abario tends to perform best after a 6 to 8 week break, which is the situation he finds himself in today. Use Underneath.


8. Contrary Thinking (50-1) Jockey: Dylan Davis | Trainer: Chad Brown


I love Chad Brown and Dylan Davis, but this seems like a strategic choice more than anything else. This 5-year-old son of Into Mischief serves as a potential pacemaker for stablemate Sierra Leone in this tactical battle. Contrary Thinking recently won an allowance race at Aqueduct, earning a new top speed figure (Equibase) of 95. His breeding suggests stamina for this distance, being out of a Curlin mare. Brown's decision to enter multiple horses provides tactical flexibility, with Contrary Thinking likely to ensure an honest pace for Sierra Leone's closing kick. Would need a 20-point jump in speed figure to win this race. Toss.


9. Fierceness (9-5) Jockey: John Velazquez | Trainer: Todd Pletcher


The 2023 Champion 2-Year-Old returns to Saratoga, where he won both the (G2) Jim Dandy and (G1) Travers Stakes last year. This City of Light colt boasts a strong record, including a victory in the (G1) Breeders' Cup Juvenile at 16-1 odds and a record 13 ½-length win in the Florida Derby. Although he finished second in the Metropolitan Mile after a troubled start on a wet track, his ability to dictate tempo or stalk effectively is a key asset at Saratoga's challenging surface. With a perfect 3-for-3 record on fast tracks at the Spa, Fierceness poses a serious threat in this spot. He has 11 starts with six wins, two seconds, one third, and over $4.5 million in earnings, and has been the post-time favorite in 8 of his races without ever losing two in a row. Top Choice.


10. Post Time (12-1) Jockey: Sheldon Russell | Trainer: Brittany Russell


The Maryland-bred millionaire returns to the Whitney after a creditable third-place finish in last year's renewal at odds of 25-1. This son of Frosted has been a model of consistency throughout his career, never finishing worse than third in 18 starts with 11 victories. His recent form includes a dominant victory in the Deputed Testamony Stakes at Laurel Park, where he won by 3 ½ lengths. Post Time's proven ability to compete at the highest levels was demonstrated in his Grade 2 victories and Grade 1 placings. The Maryland-based operation faces a significant class test, but Post Time's consistent record suggests he belongs in this company and could provide excellent value for exotic wagers.


Selection


9. Fierceness (9-5) Win-Place-Show | Best Bet


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