July 5, 2025

Jeff Siegel’s Saratoga Narrative
Saturday, July 5, 2025

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Saratoga 4: Post: 1:35 ET
Key Rolling Exotic Play Pick: 5-Bento Express (Jpn)
Degree of Confidence: Strong.
Savers: none.

Forecast: Bento Express (Jpn), produced in Japan and purchased for more than $300K as a yearling overseas, makes his racing debut for a high profile outfit with a pair of stunning recent gate drills on his resume that should have him cranked and ready for a major effort first crack out of the box. Bred for much speed (by champion sprinter Drefong) but out of a graded stakes winning turf routing mare, this promising colt might be any kind for T. Pletcher, who entrusts hot riding J. Ortiz. In an open fray, he’s a fast-working juvenile that appears ready to graduate right now.

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Saratoga Race: 4: Post: 2:13 ET
Key Rolling Exotic Play Pick: 5-Aleyeska
Degree of Confidence: Very strong.
Savers: none.

Forecast: Alyeska was as visually impressive as you could possibly imagine in her debut last September at Churchill Downs, lagging early but then rallying widest of all to blow past her rivals to win going away with plenty left. She was subsequently scratched out of the Rags to Riches Stakes and stopped on but returns in a logical spot with a work tab that will have her fit and ready for new trainer C. Brown. We’ll make her a high percentage rolling exotic single.

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Saratoga 7: Post: 5:45 ET
Key Rolling Exotic Play Pick: 6-Filly Freedom
Degree of Confidence: Very strong.
Savers: none.

Forecast: Filly Freedom tipped her hand with an outstanding runner-up performance in her racing debut here last month in a hot race for older maiden fillies and mares, and a repeat of that performance should be more than good enough to land her in the winner’s circle. The daughter of Constitution was always close up while in traffic and taking plenty of dirt, altered course to the rail for the drive and finished eagerly to be a clear second. Most maidens from this outfit step forward in their second start and we expect she will, too. Take the short price as a rolling exotic single.

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Saratoga Race 10: Post: 5:58 ET
Key Rolling Exotic Play Pick: 3- Think Big
Degree of Confidence: Strong.
Savers: none.

Forecast: Think Big never could get involved when unplaced as the favorite in the Jaipur S.-G1 turf sprint here last month but we’re willing to draw a line through the race. The son of Twirling Candy had a rough start, raced in heavy traffic inside to the turn, angled wide while attempting to launch a rally but was simply given too much to do and was too late against the slow fractions up front, though he did gallop out with interest. Today he stretches out on grass for the first time – his one prior route try was on dirt and he was off form at that time – so we’re expecting a huge bounce-back effort from this high class gelding. The pace projects to be moderate at best, so don’t be surprised to see this M. Stidham-trained 4-year-old on or near the lead throughout.

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Jeff Siegel’s Blog: Saratoga Narrative – July 5, 2025