The 2025 Curlin Stakes, presented by Casamigos, is set to electrify Saratoga Race Course on Thursday, July 24, as a field of promising three-year-old colts battle over 1 1/8 miles on dirt for a $135,000 purse. This restricted stakes race is a key prep for the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes and potentially the Travers Stakes, making it a pivotal moment for late-developing sophomores.
Race Details
Race Name: Curlin Stakes 2025 (Presented by Casamigos)
Track: Saratoga Race Course
Date: July 24, 2025
Distance: 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs)
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $135,000
Eligibility: 3-year-olds who have not won a graded stakes at one mile or longer in 2025
Post Time: 5:44 PM ET
2025 Curlin Stakes Field & Pedigree Analysis
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Pedigree | ML Odds |
| 1 | Chancer McPatrick | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Chad Brown | McKinzie × Bernadreamy (Bernardini) | 9/2 |
| 2 | Fountain Lake | Luis Saez | John Alexander Ortiz | Improbable × Doritza | 12/1 |
| 3 | Strategic Focus | Flavien Prat | Chad Brown | Gun Runner × Curlin’s Mistress (Curlin) | 6/5 |
| 4 | Hypnus | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Kenneth McPeek | Into Mischief × Dream Tree (Uncle Mo) | 9/2 |
| 5 | Just a Fair Shake | Kendrick Carmouche | Daniel McKenzie | Laoban × Ladymidtown | 30/1 |
| 6 | Crudo | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | Justify × Blossomed (Deputy Minister) | 6/1 |
| 7 | So Sandy | Jose Ortiz | Cherie DeVaux | Omaha Beach × So Fancy | 6/1 |
| 8 | Uncaged | Dylan Davis | Todd Pletcher | Curlin × Dark Nile (Pioneerof the Nile) | 15/1 |
Top Contenders & SEO Highlights
Strategic Focus – Curlin Stakes Favorite
Trainer: Chad Brown Jockey: Flavien Prat
Pedigree: By Gun Runner, out of Curlin’s Mistress, a full sister to Curlin’s Approval
Form: Two strong efforts including a 102 Beyer Speed Figure; disqualified from win last out
Crudo – Belmont Stakes Alum
Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez
Pedigree: By Justify, half-brother to G1 winner Sippican Harbor
Form: Won Sir Barton Stakes by 7½ lengths; faded in Belmont Stakes
Chancer McPatrick – Dual Grade 1 Winner
Trainer: Chad Brown Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Pedigree: By McKinzie, out of Bernadreamy (Bernardini)
Form: Winner of G1 Hopeful and Champagne; stretching back out after sprint try
Hypnus – Improving Colt
Trainer: Kenny McPeek Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Pedigree: By Into Mischief, out of G1 winner Dream Tree
Form: Recent Churchill win; second to Haskell runner Goal Oriented
Race Strategy & Betting Insights
Pace Setup: Expect Crudo and Chancer McPatrick to press early, with Strategic Focus and Hypnus stalking.
Track Bias: Saratoga’s main track favors tactical speed; closers must time their move precisely.
Trainer Trends: Chad Brown and Todd Pletcher have won 8 of the last 15 Curlin Stakes combined.
