Horse Race Preview: Race 9 – Grade II Honorable Miss Stakes at Saratoga

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The $200,000 Honorable Miss Stakes (G2) takes place on Sunday, July 20, 2025, as Race 9 at Saratoga Race Course, with post time set for 5:44 PM ET. This six-furlong dirt sprint for fillies and mares aged 4 and up features a field of nine contenders, including multiple graded stakes winners, elite pedigrees, and top jockey-trainer pairings. With speed figures soaring and form lines converging, this Grade II event promises a high-octane showdown in the Spa’s sprint division.

Contenders & Horse Profiles

Horse NamePedigreeTrainerJockeyMorning Line Odds
ScyllaTapit – Close HatchesBill MottJoel Rosario2-1 Favorite
Jody’s PrideAmerican Pharoah – Jody’s SongJorge AbreuFlavien Prat4-1
R DisasterAwesome Slew – Making HavocSaffie Joseph Jr.Jose Ortiz9-2
Striker Has DialDialed In – Lotta LollyHoracio De PazKendrick Carmouche5-1
BenedettaCity of Light – Tessie FlipSteve AsmussenDylan Davis8-1
Halina’s ForteMitole – LunarladyPhilip BauerIrad Ortiz Jr.10-1
CarmelinaMaximus Mischief – Complete St.Robert Reid Jr.Luis Saez15-1
ZadorskyTapiture – FingerprintD. Whitworth BeckmanManuel Franco15-1
Little PranksterPractical Joke – Good GrammarPhilip BauerJunior Alvarado15-1

Pedigree Insights & Sprint Potential

Scylla, a Juddmonte homebred, is by Tapit out of champion Close Hatches. She brings elite class and stamina, with a sharp turn of foot that suits Saratoga’s sprint setup. Jody’s Pride, by American Pharoah, won the G2 Ruffian and placed in the Bed o’ Roses. Her pedigree blends stamina and tactical speed. R Disaster, by Awesome Slew, is a 4-time sprint winner with a dominant 6½-length victory in the Rehoboth Stakes. Striker Has Dial, by Dialed In, owns one of the highest speed ratings in the field (112) and has hit the board in five straight stakes. Benedetta, by City of Light, has placed in multiple graded events and brings a strong closing kick. Halina’s Forte, by Mitole, is lightly raced this year but finished second in the Prairie Rose Stakes and has a pedigree built for acceleration. Carmelina, by Maximus Mischief, enters off back-to-back wins and could be a pace factor. Zadorsky, by Tapiture, won her last two starts by open lengths and is improving rapidly. Little Prankster, by Practical Joke, returned from a layoff with a win at Churchill Downs and may be rounding into form.

Jockey & Trainer Matchups to Watch

Joel Rosario (Scylla) and Bill Mott are a proven Grade II-winning duo. Flavien Prat (Jody’s Pride) excels in timing late rallies and has stakes success at Saratoga. Jose Ortiz (R Disaster) and Saffie Joseph Jr. have teamed up for multiple wins this season. Kendrick Carmouche (Striker Has Dial) is aggressive early and could control the pace. Irad Ortiz Jr. (Halina’s Forte) is Saratoga’s perennial leading rider and dangerous on any mount.

Recent Form & Speed Figures

Horse NameLast Race ResultSpeed RatingSurface
Scylla2nd in Bed o’ Roses (G2)111Dirt
Jody’s Pride3rd in Bed o’ Roses (G2)99Dirt
R Disaster1st in Rehoboth Stakes104Dirt
Striker Has Dial2nd in Skipat Stakes112Dirt
Benedetta2nd in Winning Colors (G3)100Dirt
Halina’s Forte2nd in Prairie Rose Stakes96Dirt
Carmelina1st in Unique Bella Stakes102Dirt
Zadorsky1st in Churchill Downs Allowance96Dirt
Little Prankster1st in Churchill Downs Allowance95Dirt

Predicted Finish & Strategy

Winner: Scylla – class edge, elite pedigree, tactical speed

Place: Striker Has Dial – high speed figure, consistent stakes form

Show: Jody’s Pride – proven Grade II performer with late kick