Horse Race Preview: Grade III Kelso Stakes at Saratoga

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Race: Kelso Stakes (Grade III)
Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025
Track: Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs, NY
Distance: 1 mile (Turf)
Surface: Inner Turf
Purse: $175,000
Eligibility: 4-year-olds and up
Post Time: 5:38 PM ET
Race Number: 10

Field Overview & Entries

PostHorseJockeyTrainerPedigree (Sire – Dam, by Dam Sire)Odds
1NeatJunior AlvaradoRob AtrasConstitution – Orabella (More Than Ready)15/1
2Intellect (FR)Flavien PratChad C. BrownIntello – Caldera (IRE) (Iffraaj)3/1
3Think BigJose OrtizMichael StidhamTwirling Candy – Always Thinking (Street Sense)7/2
4Donegal MomentumJavier CastellanoThomas MorleyUncle Mo – Moon Dash (Malibu Moon)5/2
5Nantasket BeachJulien LeparouxLauren RobsonStreet Boss – Holy Cargo (Holy Bull)10/1
6Mountain Bear (IRE)Victor EspinozaWesley A. WardNo Nay Never – Holy Alliance (Holy Roman Emperor)6/1
7ArzakIrad Ortiz Jr.Michael TrombettaNot This Time – Delightful Melody (Tapit)12/1
8Win for the MoneyDylan DavisMark CasseMohaymen – Mayakoba (War Chant)6/1

Race Analysis & Contender Breakdown

Donegal Momentum

Trainer: Tom Morley

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Form: Won G3 Poker Stakes at Saratoga on June 5

Pedigree: Uncle Mo × Malibu Moon mare

Outlook: Speedy and in career-best form. Wired the field in the Poker Stakes and earned a 96 Beyer. Loves firm turf and the Saratoga layout. The one to beat.

Intellect (FR)

Trainer: Chad Brown

Jockey: Flavien Prat

Form: 2nd to Donegal Momentum in the Poker Stakes

Pedigree: Intello × Caldera

Outlook: European-bred gelding with a strong late kick. Could turn the tables with a better trip.

Think Big

Trainer: Michael Stidham

Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Form: G2 winner of the Shakertown and Twin Spires Turf Sprint

Pedigree: Twirling Candy × Street Sense mare

Outlook: Stretching out from 5½ furlongs to a mile. If he handles the distance, he’s a major threat.

Win for the Money

Trainer: Mark Casse

Jockey: Dylan Davis

Form: G1 winner of the 2024 Woodbine Mile

Pedigree: Mohaymen × War Chant mare

Outlook: Returns from a layoff but has back class. Bullet work over the Oklahoma turf signals readiness.

Pedigree Spotlight

Donegal Momentum (Uncle Mo): Classic dirt and turf versatility; dam adds stamina.

Intellect (Intello): French-bred turf pedigree; excels at a mile.

Think Big (Twirling Candy): Top turf sprint sire; dam line adds route potential.

Win for the Money (Mohaymen): G1-winning turf miler; bred for late acceleration.

Top Pick: Donegal Momentum – In peak form, loves Saratoga, and gets a favorable pace setup.
Value Play: Think Big – Dangerous if he stretches out successfully.
Exacta Box: Donegal Momentum / Intellect / Think Big
Longshot to Watch: Win for the Money – G1 winner with a strong closing kick off the layoff.