Whitney Stakes Picks — Betting Preview and Predictions (Aug 2)

One of the biggest races of the summer is set for Saratoga this Saturday, as Breeders’ Cup Classic clues will be offered in the G1 Whitney Stakes. The Grade One will be run over a distance of 1 1/8 miles, and a high-quality field of ten will go to post. Find the latest odds and our picks here.

Odds

Whitney Stakes Recent Winners

Whitney Stakes: Event Information

Race Preview

The G1 Whiney Stakes roll of honor indicates just how important this race is in the context of the racing season in the United States. White Abarrio won the race in 2023 before later landing the Classic at the end of the campaign. But, the 2025 edition of the race is one of the most engrossing in recent memory.

Each of the last two Classic winners will be involved this weekend, as Sierra Leone bids to retain his title. However, last year’s champion will have questions to answer this weekend after failing to win in two starts this season, and finishing a length behind Mindframe in the G1 Stephen Foster Stakes last month.

Skippylongstocking and White Abarrio are the veterans in this field, with the latter winning this race in 2023. However, the six-year-old was last seen struggling to fourth over an inadequate mile in the G1 Metropolitan Handicap. This step back up in distance is bound to suit.

Highland Falls is a fascinating contender for Brad Cox after an excellent win over a mile on his return. However, it remains to be seen where his limitations lie over the Classic distance.

It could be argued that Todd Pletcher holds the leading chances, with Mindframe and Fierceness likely to dominate the betting. The latter will be chasing a response after finishing second in the G1 Metropolitan Handicap last time, but his comeback win at Churchill Downs in May was eye-catching.

Whitney Stakes Picks

Mindframe has been in electric form for Todd Pletcher this season, and his win over Sierra Leone last month makes him hard to oppose. However, at a bigger price, Post Time boasts the figures to play a leading role.

The five-year-old was excellent last time out when easily putting three lengths between himself and the field to win the Testamony Stakes. This is a more difficult proposition, but the Brittany Russell runner could be one for Exotics.