Personal Ensign Stakes Picks — Betting Preview and Predictions (Aug 23)

High-quality racing action is set for Saratoga on Aug 23, 2025, with the G1 Travers Stakes headlining the card. However, there will also be key racing in the fillies and mares division this weekend, with the G1 Personal Ensign Stakes being run over 1 1/8 miles. Find the odds and picks here.

Odds

Personal Ensign Stakes Recent Winners

Personal Ensign Stakes: Event Information

Race Preview

There are few more important races on the fillies and mares schedule than the G1 Personal Ensign Stakes. This race has been crucial in determining the pecking order for the G1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff throughout history, with two of the last three winners later landing honors in the big race of the season for the female horses in November.

Last year’s Kentucky Oaks winner and the reigning Distaff champion, Thorpedo Anna, will be a red-hot favorite for Kenneth McPeek. The four-year-old put a no-show in the G1 La Troienne Stakes behind her last time out when comfortably beating Royal Spa by three lengths in the G2 Fleur de Lis. Is perfect over this trip, winning on all five starts. Likeable contender, and very challenging to overlook.

However, shocks at Saratoga are part of the racecourse’s history. Therefore, a number of contenders will be hopeful of upsetting the odds. Among those include Raging Sea for trainer Chad Brown. The five-year-old won this race last year, but has been below that standard on her last two efforts. Including over course and distance in the G2 Shuvee when beaten 13 lengths by Leslie’s Rose.

The same horse re-opposes on Saturday, but the Todd Pletcher will have a huge challenge to confirm that form. Furthermore, she has been beaten a total of 65 lengths in three previous defeats against Thorpedo Anna.

Dazzling Move could be an interesting angle for exotic players. She stayed on well to finish within three lengths of Leslie’s Rose in the G2 Shuvee Stakes last time, and has impressed in defeat over this distance throughout the season. Lightly raced, and could still be improving.

Personal Ensign Stakes Picks

I’m a huge fan of Thorpedo Anna, and now back to her best, she is incredibly hard to bet against this weekend. She thrives over this trip, and she already has winning experience at the track to her name. Ticks every box, and will likely further her Distaff claims on Saturday.