Race Type: Grade I Stakes
Distance: 7 Furlongs
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $500,000
Eligibility: Fillies & Mares, 3-Year-Olds & Up
Post Time: 4:59 PM ET
Track: Saratoga Race Course, NY
Breeders’ Cup Implication: “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint
Field Overview: Horses, Jockeys, Trainers & Pedigrees
| Post | Horse | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Pedigree (Sire – Dam) | Odds |
| 1 | Mystic Lake | 4 | Ricardo Santana Jr. | Saffie Joseph Jr. | Mo Town – Salty Soul | 10-1 |
| 2 | Brightwork | 4 | John Velazquez | John Ortiz | Outwork – Clarendon Fancy | 15-1 |
| 3 | Majestic Oops | 5 | Kendrick Carmouche | Dan Ward | Majestic Harbor – Miss Oops | 15-1 |
| 4 | Halina’s Forte | 4 | Joel Rosario | Philip Bauer | Mitole – Lunarlady | 10-1 |
| 5 | Claret Beret | 4 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Saffie Joseph Jr. | Not This Time – Bessie M | 6-1 |
| 6 | Zeitlos | 5 | Junior Alvarado | Steve Asmussen | Curlin – Thyme For Roses (AUS) | 6-1 |
| 7 | Scylla | 5 | Flavien Prat | Bill Mott | Tapit – Close Hatches | 5-2 |
| 8 | My Mane Squeeze | 4 | Luis Saez | Michael Maker | Audible – In Spite of Mama | 5-1 |
| 9 | Hope Road | 4 | Jose Ortiz | Bob Baffert | Quality Road – Marley’s Freedom | 3-1 |
Race Analysis & Contender Breakdown
Scylla – The Pedigree Powerhouse
Trainer: Bill Mott Jockey: Flavien Prat
Form: 3rd in Honorable Miss (G2); 5 wins from 10 starts
Pedigree Insight: By Tapit, out of Close Hatches, a multiple Grade I winner at Saratoga
Edge: Elite bloodlines, tactical speed, and proven class
Hope Road – The Baffert Bullet
Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Form: 3rd in Winning Colors (G3); 4 wins from 7 starts
Pedigree Insight: Quality Road x Marley’s Freedom = sprint royalty
Edge: Explosive turn of foot and top-tier connections
My Mane Squeeze – The WinStar Weapon
Trainer: Michael Maker Jockey: Luis Saez
Form: Winner of Johnstone Mile; 6 wins from 9 starts
Pedigree Insight: Audible x In Spite of Mama = speed and grit
Edge: Versatile running style and sharp recent form
Zeitlos – The Curlin Class Play
Trainer: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Form: 2nd in Caress Stakes (G3); 5 wins from 11 starts
Pedigree Insight: Curlin x Thyme For Roses (AUS) = stamina and turf crossover
Edge: Strong late kick and Grade I experience
Claret Beret – The Value Play
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr. Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Form: 2nd in Chicago Stakes (G2); 4 wins from 8 starts
Pedigree Insight: Not This Time x Bessie M = speed and durability
Edge: Improving figures and top rider aboard
Suggested Bets:
Win: Scylla
Exacta Box: Scylla / Hope Road / My Mane Squeeze
Trifecta Play: Add Claret Beret and Zeitlos underneath
Longshot Play: Halina’s Forte to hit the board
The 2025 Ballerina Stakes (G1) at Saratoga is a showcase of elite sprinting fillies and mares, with pedigrees that scream class and speed. Scylla, daughter of Close Hatches, looks poised to earn her first Grade I title. Hope Road, bred from Marley’s Freedom, brings Baffert firepower and raw talent. My Mane Squeeze and Zeitlos offer tactical versatility and strong recent form, while Claret Beret could surprise with Irad Ortiz aboard.
