Saratoga: Wednesday, 8/20, Plays - Pete's Picks

Little Pete
Aug 20, 2025
3 min read

Once we get by this Wednesday card, the weather turns perfect for the biggest week of the meet. Race 1 is canceled so we start with race 2 and no turf racing today. I will be condensing my plays down to just the number and attacking the early double starting in R2 (Races 2 & 3) and a spot pick 3 (Races 4-6). Big Pete will attack his "Play of the Day" and the late pick 3 (Races 7-9). We appreciate you taking a look at this write-up and GOOD LUCK.

Little Pete's $ 5.00 Early Double:

R2: 3

R3: 7, 8 Cost: $ 10.00

Little Pete's $ 1.00 Spot Pick 3:

R4: 2, 3, 4, 6

R5: 2, 8

R6: 6, 7, 11, 12 Cost: $ 32.00

Big Pete's $ 1.00 Late Pick 3:

R7: 1, 2, 6

R8: 1, 8, 13

R9: 2, 6, 13, 14 Cost: $ 36.00

Big Pete's "Play of the Day":

Race 4:

(2) JACKSON HEIGHTS is the lone closer of this bunch and he figures to get some help with the others wanting the lead. Manny can sit behind and reel them in late. He's two for two at the Spa this year and looking for another one.

I’ll use (3) Stewie and (4) Barksdale in the exacta.

$ 7.00 WPS 2 Cost $ 21.00

$ 7.00 Ex 2 w/ 3, 4 Cost $ 14.00

We’ll also use (2) Jackson Heights in R4 and try to cash in on a Daily Double.

(2) Askingforafriend or (8) Willpowered in the 5th.

$ 7.00 Daily Double 2 w/ 2, 8 Cost $ 14.00

Big Pete's Late Pick 3:

Race 7:

(1) REGISTER is one of three that may want to force the issue upfront. He has to gun to the front before they hit the turn, so if he can get there and save some ground, he'll have the advantage over the two others. I'm going to try to beat him with the closers. (2) PASSING GAME looks solid for the Rice/Jose combo. They just missed at Churchill two back, and now he has had more time with his new barn up here. A must-use for me. I want to beat them both with (6) HERO'S MEDAL stretching back out to this 1M distance. Manny takes over for the struggling Davis and seems to be improving since coming North. His highest figure came in the slop last year, so maybe he likes the moisture.

$ 7.00 WPS 6 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Ex Box 1, 2, 6 Cost $ 18.00

Race 8:

(8) SKY'S NOT FALLING stays in this off-the-turf claimer. He's been facing better, so if he doesn't mind mud in his face, he'll be a contender. The outside MTO, (13) HE'S GOT THIS, might just have it. He gets his wish to play in the slop and faces a few turf runners. He should have a say in the outcome. The only other with dirt form is (1A) LOCO ABARRIO. He too wanted dirt/slop, but the 1M seems too far for him. However, with limited runners, he may have it his own way.

$ 7.00 WPS 8 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Ex Box 1, 8, 13 Cost $ 18.00

Race 9:

(13) MISS IMPULSIVE and (14) LAUGHING LADY draw in with the surface switch. I'll lean heavily on these two to get it done against the other turf runners staying in. (2) DARTY TIME has speed to be an issue. If they forget about her, she can take them all the way. (6) GRATEFULLY is a first-timer with breeding that suggests mud won't be a problem and gets L1 for her debut.