Saratoga: Wednesday, 8/27, Plays - ** Pete's Picks **
- Little Pete
- Aug 27, 2025
- 3 min read
The final week of the 2025 Spa season kicks off this Wednesday fast and firm. The G1 Steeplechase kicks off the card so we'll start with race 2. 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: 4, 5, 6 Cost: $ 15.00
Little Pete's $ 1.00 Spot Pick 3:
R4: 3, 5, 6
R5: 1, 2, 7
R6: 2, 4, 5 Cost: $ 27.00
Big Pete's $ 1.00 Late Pick 3:
R7: 5, 6, 7
R8: 2, 4, 6
R9: 3, 6, 9 Cost: $ 27.00
Big Pete's "Play of the Day":
Race 3:
(5) VACATION DANCE looks to be sitting on one. He took the winter off and has quietly worked himself back into shape with a two solid efforts off the bench. He was well meant last time but lost a length or two with some small trouble. Clear sailing today and Irad should get him in the winners circle.
I’ll use (4) Clancy Fancy and (6) Russi in the exacta.
$ 7.00 WPS 5 Cost $ 21.00
$ 7.00 Ex 5 w/ 4, 6 Cost $ 14.00
We’ll also use (5) Vacation Dance in R3 and try to cash in on a Daily Double.
(5) Belouni or (6) Son Of A Birch in the 4th.
$ 7.00 Daily Double 5 w/ 5, 6 Cost $ 14.00
Big Pete's Late Pick 3:
Race 7:
Both (6) HOURS IN A DAY and (7) AZ U CHASE ME have been collecting checks recently, and there's no reason to think that they can't do it again here today. I'll include both to hit the board, but there's a good chance others won't show, and they can get lucky. I'll lean heavily on (5) FUNNY UNCLE. His last three races have earned high speed figures, and I just don't trust this entry as they both drop to this low level.
$ 7.00 WPS 5 Cost $ 21.00
$ 7.00 Ex 5 w/ 6, 7 Cost $ 14.00
Race 8:
(2) TIME TO DREAM had some trouble throughout her maiden score and still managed to win for fun. Once she got clear, she leveled off and ran away from that group. She'll be a handful today. If you're looking to lower your cost and are looking for a single, she could be the one. I'll lean heavily but include some wise guys. (4) TIZ IN SIGHT has some speed and is bred to like the turf. Davis subs in for Casse for this. I also will include (6) DEVILISH GRIN on the stretch out. The farther, the better for this gal. I'll leave off the Cox filly in hope that other speeds show up to soften her up.
$ 7.00 WPS 2 Cost $ 21.00
$ 3.00 Ex 2, 6 w/ 2, 4, 6, 7 Cost $ 18.00
Race 9:
(6) REVEL TOAST showed enough in her debut to make her a player in here. Amoss stays with Luzzi for one more shot as they move to the grass, which should be okay with Twirling Candy underneath. (9) SCORCH has a race in the slop that makes her a player too. They were looking for turf that day, so the surface switch shouldn't be an issue. I'll take a stab with a firster in this finale. Handal sends out (3) DOPPIO ESPRESSO and the line maker puts her at 5:1. This barn has woken up to post some nice wins recently, and the trainer said he has some more bullets to fire before the meet ends. I'll give this one the nod.
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