Race 5 at Saratoga | Saturday, July 4 | Post Time 2:59 PM Eastern

Sanford Stakes – Grade 3 | Purse $225,000 | Six Furlongs | Two-Year Olds

Top contenders: Booked (2), Vissino (5)

Note: Waggley (1) is expected to scratch.

This year’s Sanford Stakes is the first of three major two-year-old stakes races at Saratoga. The next are the Grade 2 Saratoga Special (August 1) and the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes (September 6). This race features a strong field of eight horses, with seven of the eight winning their last race and the other finishing second. The horse that has raced twice is Booked (2). 

Booked (2) improved after a second-place finish in his debut on April 28 at Churchill Downs. He won at Saratoga on June 7 after stalking in second at the half-mile pole. He remained a length behind at the quarter-pole before shifting into another gear to take a three-length lead at the eighth-pole, ultimately coasting home to win by one and three-quarter lengths. He is the only horse to have raced at Saratoga, which may give him a chance to win his second race. His trainer, Steve Asmussen, won the 2025 Sanford with Obliteration, who made his debut at Churchill Downs. He is making his third start, which makes him the horse to beat.

Vissino (5) won his debut at Churchill Downs on May 28. He started sixth early, then was fifth at the quarter pole and fourth at the eighth pole, four lengths behind. He powered past those three horses and won going away. He is the other horse I think can win.

Win Bets:

Booked (2) at 2 to 1 and higher.

Vissino (5) at 3 to 1 and higher.

Exacta: Box Booked (2) and Vissino (5)