Horse Race Preview: Race 9 – Smart And Fancy Stakes at Saratoga

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Date: August 15, 2025
Post Time: 5:45 PM ET
Surface: Turf
Distance: 5½ Furlongs
Purse: $150,000
Eligibility: Fillies & Mares, 3-Year-Olds and Up

Field Overview & Pedigree Analysis

PPHorseJockeyTrainerPedigreeOdds
1Gal In A RushIrad Ortiz Jr.Miguel ClementGhostzapper × Hudson River Gal12/1
2Risk ThresholdJunior AlvaradoChad BrownDubawi × Priceless12/1
3BenedettaJose OrtizSteve AsmussenCity of Light × Tessie Flip12/1
4Ellen JayJoel RosarioBrad CoxConstitution × Covfefe3/1
5Twirling QueenLuis SaezJose D’AngeloTwirling Candy × Adventurous Lady6/1
6Future Is NowPaco LopezMichael TrombettaGreat Notion × Past As Prelude6/5
7DontlookbackatallManuel FrancoMiguel ClementPeace and Justice × Celtic Arch15/1
8Sunday GirlKatie DavisDavid DugganCentral Banker × Lady Daphne8/1
9Out Too LateRicardo Santana Jr.Michael MakerExpert Eye × Miss Atomic Bomb30/1
10LegademaIrad Ortiz Jr.Philip BauerArrogate × Scarlet Love6/1
11Little PranksterJose OrtizPhilip BauerPractical Joke × Good Grammar9/2

Top Contenders

Future Is Now (Great Notion × Past As Prelude)

Trainer: Michael Trombetta Jockey: Paco Lopez

Form: Winner of the G3 Caress Stakes at Saratoga; 6 wins from 9 starts

Style: Tactical speed with a powerful late kick

Notes: Proven over the course and distance; pedigree blends sprint speed with turf stamina.

Ellen Jay (Constitution × Covfefe)

Trainer: Brad Cox Jockey: Joel Rosario

Form: 4-race win streak including Belmont turf stakes

Pedigree: Constitution brings stamina; dam Covfefe was a champion sprinter

Notes: Lightly raced but explosive; Cox excels with turf fillies at Saratoga

Little Prankster (Practical Joke × Good Grammar)

Trainer: Philip Bauer Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Form: Stakes-placed with strong late runs

Notes: Practical Joke progeny excel at one-turn distances; Ortiz knows her well

Trainer & Jockey Insights

Michael Trombetta (Future Is Now): Turf sprint specialist with a 28% win rate in stakes company

Brad Cox (Ellen Jay): Multiple Eclipse Award-winning trainer with a sharp Saratoga record

Philip Bauer (Little Prankster & Legadema): Emerging force in turf sprinting

Paco Lopez & Joel Rosario: Elite turf riders with tactical versatility

Jose Ortiz & Irad Ortiz Jr.: Saratoga’s leading jockeys, both aboard live contenders

Top Pick: Future Is Now (6)
Exacta Box: Future Is Now / Ellen Jay / Little Prankster
Trifecta Play: 6 over 4, 11 over 3, 5
Best Longshot: Sunday Girl (8) – undefeated in stakes company, sneaky pace angle

Expect a blistering early pace with Twirling Queen and Risk Threshold pressing. Future Is Now’s class and tactical speed should prevail, but Ellen Jay and Little Prankster offer serious upside. Sunday Girl could surprise if the leaders falter.