July 31, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Roll out the Red Carpet
Saratoga’s signature race – the $1 million Whitney (G1) – is set for its 98th renewal this Saturday.
Featuring a loaded field of first-class contenders, the 1 1/8-mile dash is headlined by the leading trio of Fierceness (9-5 favorite), Sierra Leone (2-1), and Mindframe (5-2).
Sporting a combined earnings total north of $12.5 million and 11 graded stakes victories (seven Grade 1’s), each member of the tantalizing triad will be contesting the Whitney in their first year of eligibility (restricted to horses four years old and up).
Skippylongstocking (10-1), Post Time (12-1), and Disarm (15-1) are the only returning members from last year’s Whitney.
World Traveller
While his last race on home soil didn’t go as planned – fifth in the Group 1 Coral Eclipse on July 5 at Sandown Park – Hotazhell now heads stateside in search of new beginnings in the $750,000 Saratoga Derby (G1T).
Opening as the 7-5 clubhouse leader for Saturday’s 1 3/16-mile turf tilt, the 3-year-old colt will aim to recapture the form that resulted in three Group-level stake scores across the United Kingdom.
On Hotazhell’s heels is 5-2 second choice and $1 million earner, Test Score.
The bay colt is in the midst of a breakout sophomore season, securing wins in the Belmont Derby (G1T) and Transylvania (G3T) en route to a 2-1-1 line across four starts.
Press Play
Johannes made quite an impression in 2024, going five-for-six with all his triumphs coming at the grades stakes tier.
Rested and raring to go, the 5-year-old colt returns to action for the first time this year in Saturday’s $500,000 Fourstardave (G1T) at Saratoga.
After a San Gabriel (G2T) conquest on Boxing Day, Johannes took the next five months off before starting a workout regimen on the last day of May.
The Tim Yakteen trainee training performance, combined with his stellar track record, was enough for oddsmakers to declare him the Fourstardave’s 5-2 opening line choice.
Earned, Not Given
Off to a perfect two-for-two start this season after going three-for-four as a rookie, Echo Sound has certainly earned top dog status ahead of the $500,000 Test (G1) – the fourth Grade 1 contest on Saratoga’s scintillating Saturday card.
Coming off consecutive scores in May’s Miss Preakness (G3) and July’s Victory Ride (G3), the 3-year-old filly is carrying significant momentum into the seven-furlong affair.
The Test will mark Echo Sound’s second straight appearance at Saratoga following a career-best showing in the Victory Ride (4 ¼-length triumph).
Trained by George Arnold, Echo Sound has made nearly $460,000 through six lifetime starts – a win on Saturday would return more than half that total ($275,000).
You Can Count on Me
Consistency has been Kopion’s calling card through eight career starts, winning five and finishing second in two.
The million-dollar filly looks to keep the good times rolling – and punch a ticket to November’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) – in the $400,000 Clement L. Hirsch (G1) on Saturday at Del Mar.
Making her first appearance since finishing as the runner up in July’s Great Lady M (G2), Kopion will also be returning to the site of her professional debut in Del Mar (Maiden Special Weight winner).
Sent off as the 1-5 favorite then, Kopion, at 5-2, narrowly trails the top choice Seismic Beauty (2-1) leading into the Hirsch.