Saratoga: Friday, 8/15 Plays ** Pete's Picks **
- Little Pete
- Aug 15, 2025
- 3 min read
Fast and firm for this Friday as the meet moves by quickly. Yesterday's storm will not affect us today as all turf races will go. I will be condensing my plays down to just the number and attacking the early double (Races 1 & 2) and a spot pick 3 (Races 5-7). Big Pete will attack two "Play of the Day" and the late pick 3 (Races 8-10); GOOD LUCK.
Little Pete's $ 5.00 Early Double:
R1: 3, 5
R2: 2, 6 Cost: $ 20.00
Little Pete's $ 1.00 Spot Pick 3:
R5: 3, 8, 9
R6: 2, 3, 8
R7: 2, 4, 8 Cost: $ 27.00
Big Pete's $ 1.00 Late Pick 3:
R8: 4, 5, 7
R9: 1, 4, 5, 6
R10: 7, 8, 9 Cost: $ 36.00
Big Pete's "Play of the Day":
Race 3:
I'll lean on Irad more so than the trainer here and look for (6) EMPLOYEEOFTHEMONTH to come running late. The 1M will be an issue for most in here as they seem to fade at the shorter races. The Employee can handle this with the help of Ortiz Jr. They should sit chilly behind the speeds and wait for them to back up.
$ 7.00 WPS 6 Cost: $ 21.00
$ 3.00 Ex Box 1, 3, 6 Cost: $ 18.00
We'll use (6) EMPLOYEEOFTHEMONTH in R3 and try to cash in on a Daily Double.
(3) Weekend Rags or (1) Strictly Taboo in the 4th.
$ 7.00 Daily Double 6 w/ 1, 3 Cost $ 14.00
Big Pete's Late Pick 3:
Race 8:
(5) WILL NOT BE SWAYED figures to take some cash here as you get Cox/Irad and one of the top speed figures of the group. The 1M seems okay for this filly. The other logical one is (7) STARLIGHT DANCER who has picked it up since Carmouche jumped in the saddle three back. The race goes through these two and they both are a must-use. I want to try and beat them though with a price. (4) RIVER TAY is getting back on the grass where she belongs. She took a lot of money in her 2025 debut and Katie got too far out of it for her to make it close. She will be closer today and should save ground with an inside draw. We should get all of the 8:1 ML and she ran well on this course last year.
$ 7.00 WPS 4 Cost: $ 21.00
$ 3.00 Ex Box 4, 5, 7 Cost: $ 18.00
Race 9:
(5) TWIRLING QUEEN gave the favorite a scare last time, and now they get Saez. That should help, but there appears to be more speed signed on than last time. If they leave her alone, she has a shot. Paco hopefully learned his lesson and won't let them get away too easily up front. He will be coming late with (6) FUTURE IS NOW in this Smart And Fancy Stakes. If she duplicates her Caress win earlier this meet, she'll be tough in here. The interesting one is (4) ELLEN JAY. Cox seeks out Rosario as this filly makes her 2025 debut sporting some bullets in the AM. They should save ground and hope a hole opens up.
$ 7.00 WPS 4 Cost: $ 21.00
$ 3.00 Ex Box 4, 5, 6 Cost: $ 18.00
Race 10:
(8) SOLO JIM was closing well after a tough start and just missed. Irad gets another furlong to make up that distance. (9) KAZ OIL CHANGER has speed and an outside post to clear off from the chute. If they let him go, this one could be over turning down the backstretch. I'm hoping some inside runners will have to go early to avoid getting cut off and make the pace a little interesting. Baker makes the switch to Rosario on (7) STATE OF READINESS. He has only raced at the Spa in his three-race career. Sprinting on the turf, sprinting in the slop, and two turns on the dirt. I like this 1M cutback and the jockey change to get this one home.
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