Saratoga Race Course prepares to host another electrifying summer meet, and one of its marquee events is the Grade 1, $750,000 Fourstardave Stakes. This prestigious one-mile turf race for older horses is a "Win and You're In" qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Mile, making it a critical stop on the road to the year-end championships. We have all the details you need to get ready for this thrilling contest, from the whole field and official odds to a deep-dive analysis of each contender. If you’re looking to place your bets, you’ll want to pay close attention to the Fourstardave Stakes odds to find value in the competitive field.
Get ready for an action-packed day of racing at the Spa, as the Fourstardave Stakes headlines a blockbuster Whitney Day card on Saturday, August 2, 2025. The day features a total of six stakes races, including four Grade 1 events, promising a showcase of some of the best thoroughbreds in the world. As you prepare to bet on horses in this high-stakes contest, understanding the nuances of the race and the competitors is essential. We will break down everything you need to know about this year's running, giving you the tools to make informed decisions and hopefully cash a winning ticket. The Fourstardave Stakes betting landscape is rich with opportunity, and a thorough analysis is your key to unlocking it.
The field for the 2025 Fourstardave Stakes is a melting pot of proven talent, promising contenders, and intriguing longshots. This race offers a perfect storm of tactical speed and powerful closing kicks, making for an unpredictable and exhilarating race. A successful wager requires more than just picking a favorite; it demands a comprehensive understanding of each horse's form, running style, and pedigree. This US Racing analysis will give you the inside track on the horses, jockeys, and trainers that could make a difference on race day.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 2, 2025. The Fourstardave Stakes is a key component of the highly anticipated Whitney Day at Saratoga Race Course. As one of the premier events of the summer meet, this race garners significant attention from horse racing enthusiasts and bettors alike. While the specific post time for the Fourstardave will be announced closer to the event, you can expect it to be one of the feature races on the afternoon card.
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has scheduled a full day of top-tier racing, with the first post usually beginning in the early afternoon, so be sure to check the official Saratoga schedule for the exact time of the race and the whole card.
Reviewing the history of a race often provides a valuable context for handicappers. The Fourstardave Stakes boasts a long and storied list of champions. In 2024, Chad Brown trained Carl Spackler (IRE) to victory, following in the footsteps of the two-time champion, Casa Creed, who took the crown in both 2022 and 2023. Other notable recent winners include Got Stormy (2021) and Halladay (2020). The race's legacy also consists of a long list of legendary horses, a testament to the quality of competition. The esteemed Wise Dan, a two-time Horse of the Year, won this race in 2012 and 2013, solidifying its status as a proving ground for elite turf milers. This history of excellence reminds us that winning this race is a significant achievement and often a precursor to further success on the international stage.
Weather conditions can significantly impact a turf race, influencing everything from track speed to a horse's performance. The current forecast for Saratoga Springs, New York, on Saturday, August 2, 2025, looks promising for a fantastic day of racing. Forecasters predict sunny skies with a high temperature around 80°F. Winds are expected to be light, coming from the west at approximately eight mph.
The chance of rain remains very low, at only 5%. This means we should see a firm, fast turf course, which will likely favor horses with a good turn of foot and a clean trip. The ideal conditions set the stage for a truly competitive and fast-paced race, where every horse will get a fair chance to show their best.
This year's edition of the Fourstardave Stakes presents a compelling field of ten talented horses, each with their unique profile and chances for victory. We have an intriguing mix of proven Grade 1 winners, rising stars, and seasoned campaigners. The Fourstardave Stakes betting market reflects the competitiveness of this group, offering some excellent opportunities for sharp bettors. Let’s dive into a horse-by-horse analysis, complete with their official morning-line odds. Remember that these odds can and will change before post time, so always check for the latest numbers when you make your final selections.
Cugino, a four-year-old colt, enters the race with a solid if not spectacular record. Trainer Claude "Shug" McGaughey III, a Hall of Famer, brings this horse into a Grade 1 for the first time, a sign of his confidence in the Twirling Candy colt. Cugino has been a model of consistency, finishing in the money in four of his five starts as a three-year-old and most recently winning an allowance-optional claiming race at Aqueduct.
His lone poor performance came in a marathon distance race, which we can safely dismiss as an anomaly. Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. rides, a significant positive considering their high win rate together. While Cugino must step up his game to compete at this level, his consistent form and connections make him an interesting longshot play, offering great value at his 10-1 odds.
My Boy Prince, a four-year-old gelding trained by Mark Casse, brings a formidable speed element to the race. This horse has been thriving in turf sprints this year, winning the Elusive Quality Stakes and finishing second in the Jaipur Stakes, a Grade 1 at Saratoga. His pedigree, by Cairo Prince out of a Silent Name mare, suggests he can handle the distance, but he is winless in four previous attempts at the mile.
However, his early speed and the potential for a favorable pace scenario make him a dangerous contender. Jockey Jose Ortiz has a knack for getting the best out of these types of horses, and if he can rate My Boy Prince just off the pace, he could have enough left in the tank to be a factor at the finish. Casse has a history of winning this race, which adds to the appeal of this longshot.
Johannes is the morning-line favorite and for good reason. Trainer Tim Yakteen ships this five-year-old horse east from California, where he had a sensational 2024 campaign. Johannes won five of six starts last year, including the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile. His only defeat came in a hard-fought second in the Breeders' Cup Mile, where he finished ahead of some of the best turf milers in the world.
He makes his return from an eight-month layoff in this race, a significant question mark, but trainer Yakteen has expressed confidence in the horse's fitness. Jockey Umberto Rispoli, who knows the horse well, gets the call. Johannes is a versatile horse who can adapt to different pace scenarios, and his class is undeniable. If he returns to form after the layoff, he is the horse to beat, and his 5-2 odds are a reflection of his perceived superiority. This is a horse you will want to consider heavily when looking at the Fourstardave Stakes odds.
Think Big, a four-year-old gelding for trainer Michael Stidham, is a horse on the rise. He recently won the Grade 3 Kelso Stakes at Saratoga, a race that proved he can handle the mile distance with aplomb. His final quarter-mile in that race was particularly impressive, showing a tremendous turn of foot that will serve him well in this race.
Owned by Godolphin, a powerhouse in international racing, Think Big has an excellent turf record, with five wins from six starts on the grass. Jockey Luis Saez, a top rider at Saratoga, is in the irons, providing another boost to his chances. Breaking from post-position four, Think Big can get a great stalking trip and unleash his powerful kick in the stretch. At 6-1, he offers an excellent value proposition and could be a major player in the exotic bets.
Another Mark Casse trainee, Win for the Money, is a six-year-old gelding with Grade 1 credentials, having won the Woodbine Mile last November. This horse is a seasoned veteran who knows how to win at the highest level. He possesses tactical speed and the ability to stay at a distance, which makes him a strong competitor in this race.
Jockey Dylan Davis will be aboard. Win for the Money carries a high weight of 126 pounds, a factor that could influence his performance, but his experience and Grade 1 victory gives him a distinct advantage. He will need to bring his best to compete with some of the younger, more lightly-raced talents in the field, but you can never count out a horse who has won at this level.
Intellect (FR) represents the powerhouse barn of trainer Chad Brown, who won this race last year. This four-year-old gelding began his career in France and has been making steady progress in the United States. He has finished second and third in his three U.S. starts, including a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Kelso Stakes behind Think Big.
Jockey Flavien Prat, a top-tier rider, will be in the saddle. Intellect is a talented horse with a strong pedigree and is still developing. We expect him to improve with each start, and this could be his breakout performance. Chad Brown's record in turf races at Saratoga is second to none, making Intellect a major threat at 5-1. He is a must-consider in all Fourstardave Stakes odds calculations and exactas.
Spirit of St Louis, another Chad Brown trainee, is a multiple Grade 1 winner on the turf. He captured both the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational and the Turf Classic earlier this year. This six-year-old gelding cuts back to the one-mile distance for the first time since last year's Coolmore Turf Mile, where he finished fifth. However, he boasts a strong record at the mile, with three stakes wins at the distance last year.
Jockey Manny Franco will ride this New York-bred standout. While his last start in the Manhattan was a bit of a disappointment, we expect a bounce-back performance from this talented horse. Spirit of St Louis is a versatile and reliable runner who will be right there at the finish if he gets a clean trip. His 6-1 odds offer solid value for a horse with his resume.
Deterministic is a four-year-old colt for trainer Miguel Clement, who has been on a tear since switching to the turf. He won the Grade 1 Manhattan Stakes in his last start, giving Clement his first Grade 1 win. This horse has proven to be highly versatile, with wins at a variety of distances. He won the Gotham Stakes on the dirt as a two-year-old, showing his raw talent, and has blossomed into a top-flight turf horse.
Jockey Kendrick Carmouche will be aboard. Deterministic possesses the speed to be a factor early and the stamina to see out the mile. His recent form is exceptional, and he comes into the race with a ton of momentum. He looks like a serious contender and a legitimate threat to the favorite.
Lagynos, a four-year-old colt trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, is one of the biggest longshots on the board at 20-1. He won a Grade 3 race in his career, but his recent form has been inconsistent. This horse needs to step up his game significantly to compete with the top-tier talent in this field.
Jockey Joel Rosario, a world-class rider, gets the call, which is a positive. However, his low-percentage odds reflect a challenging task ahead. He is an outside chance to hit the board, and a win would be a significant upset. This is a horse for the deepest exotics or those looking for a complete longshot bomb in their Fourstardave Stakes betting strategy.
Neat, a four-year-old colt, is another longshot at 20-1. Trained by Rob Atras, this horse has won three graded stakes races, but he has been inconsistent. He had a rough trip in his last start and has faced some bad luck in recent outings, which may have masked his true ability.
Jockey Junior Alvarado will ride. The outside post position is not ideal, but it also gives him a chance to get a clean trip and avoid traffic trouble. He will need a career-best performance to win, but if he can run back to some of his better races, he could surprise and hit the bottom of the superfecta at a considerable price. This is another longshot that could spice up your exotic bets.
The 2025 Fourstardave Stakes presents a fascinating puzzle for horseplayers. You have a clear favorite in Johannes, who is a Grade 1 winner but is coming off a long layoff. You have a pair of potent contenders from the Chad Brown barn in Intellect and Spirit of St Louis, both with legitimate chances to win. Then, you have a rising star in Think Big, who is in great form, and several intriguing longshots who could light up the tote board. The Fourstardave Stakes betting market is brimming with opportunity.
For those looking for a solid win bet, Johannes is the logical choice, but his layoff and short odds make him a riskier proposition. Think Big at 6-1 presents excellent value as a horse who has already proven he can win over the Saratoga turf course. Another strong play would be Deterministic, whose recent form and Grade 1 victory make him a major contender. When looking for the best Fourstardave Stakes odds, consider playing the exotics. A trifecta or superfecta box with Johannes,
Think Big, Intellect, and Deterministic could be a profitable strategy. This is a race with a lot of depth, and a smart approach can lead to a great payout.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
