The 2025 Forego Stakes, a highlight of the Saratoga Race Course summer meet, is quickly approaching, and horse racing fans are getting ready for one of the most anticipated sprint races of the year. This year's edition promises to be a thriller, as a talented field of older horses will compete in a seven-furlong test of speed and stamina.
A $500,000 purse and a Grade 1 designation make this a crucial prep race for the Breeders' Cup, and winning the Forego Stakes can significantly impact a horse's career legacy and future stud value. As a result, the competition is fierce, and the betting market is volatile, offering great opportunities for astute handicappers. Whether you are a seasoned bettor or a new fan, understanding all the variables is key to making informed decisions and enjoying the action.
The Forego Stakes is one of the premier Grade 1 races in the United States, and it offers an excellent opportunity for bettors to find value. The nature of the seven-furlong distance, which falls between a pure sprint and a middle-distance race, often creates a unique dynamic.
You will see both horses with pure sprinting speed and those who excel at a mile or more. This mixture of running styles can lead to a fast pace and a furious finish, which often benefits closers. With a deep and competitive field, the 2025 Forego Stakes odds present a wide range of possibilities, from a solid favorite to several promising longshots.
Savvy bettors will consider each horse's recent form, workout history, and their performance at Saratoga before placing their wagers. A careful analysis of the entire racecard, not just the feature race, will also provide insights into how the track is playing and what kind of trips are most successful on the day.
This year's Forego Stakes will be held on a packed day of racing that also features the prestigious Travers Stakes. This provides an excellent backdrop for the race, as a massive crowd will create an electric atmosphere, elevating the performances of both jockeys and horses. The Grade 1 status of the race attracts top-tier talent from across the country, which in turn leads to a highly competitive betting market.
With so many variables at play, including jockey-trainer combinations, post positions, and running styles, you will find many opportunities for live betting and a wide range of options to bet on Forego Stakes. We will provide a comprehensive breakdown of the entire day's racecard, offering expert analysis to help you navigate the action and find value. Whether you are looking for a straight win bet or a lucrative exotic wager, the Forego Stakes betting market has something for everyone.
The 2025 Forego Stakes is part of a monumental day of racing at Saratoga, and you have several options for viewing the event. The race will be broadcast live on platforms like BUSR Experience, where you can follow the entire Travers Day Race Card and all the major world races in a 24/7 streaming service.
The 2025 Forego Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, August 23rd, at the historic Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. This date is part of the final major weekend of the Saratoga summer meet, and it shares the spotlight with the prestigious Grade 1 Travers Stakes.
The presence of the Travers, often called the "Mid-Summer Derby," makes this one of the most important and well-attended days of the entire North American racing season. The gates at Saratoga open early at 9:00 a.m. ET, with the first post time scheduled for 11:10 a.m. ET. The Forego Stakes is race 11 on the card, with a post time of 5:36 p.m. ET. This carefully crafted schedule allows for a full day of world-class racing action, building to a crescendo with the Forego and the Travers Stakes.
Travers Day is more than just a single race; it is a full-day carnival of elite thoroughbred competition. The August 23rd racecard at Saratoga features a staggering six Grade 1 races, making it an unparalleled opportunity for handicappers and fans alike. In addition to the Forego Stakes and the Travers, the day’s card includes the Resorts World Casino Ballerina Stakes, the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes, the Personal Ensign Stakes, and the Lake Placid Stakes.
This remarkable lineup provides numerous opportunities for strategic betting. By carefully analyzing the entire card, you can identify patterns, such as the performance of certain jockeys or trainers on a given day or how the track surface is playing. For instance, if you observe that closers are winning consistently on the main track, you might adjust your strategy for the Forego Stakes betting to favor a horse with a strong late kick. The sheer volume of high-quality races on a single day means that careful preparation and an understanding of each race's dynamics are essential for success.
Weather can play a significant role in horse racing, affecting both the track surface and a horse's performance. For Saturday, August 23, 2025, the weather forecast for Saratoga Springs, New York, calls for mostly cloudy skies. The high temperature is expected to reach 28°C (approximately 82°F), with a low of 17°C (approximately 63°F).
There is a 20% chance of rain during both the day and night. While the chance of precipitation is low, the presence of clouds and a moderate humidity of 65% could affect the track. A fast track is anticipated, but any unexpected showers could change the surface to "sloppy" or "muddy," which would significantly alter the race dynamics.
Always check the most recent forecast and the track condition on race day. Some horses excel on a wet track, while others perform best on a dry, fast surface. Understanding these nuances can give you a significant advantage when you place your wagers.
The final field for the 2025 Forego Stakes features a compelling mix of seasoned veterans and up-and-coming stars.
As of the latest morning line, Book'em Danno is the 8/5 favorite. He has impressed with a Grade 1 win and a 111 Beyer Speed Figure in his last outing, and his ability to stalk the pace makes him a formidable contender in a race with plenty of early speed.
Mullikin, a runner-up to Book'em Danno in his last start, is the second choice at 7/2. His consistent form and strong recent performances make him a major threat.
At 5/1, Most Wanted is another top contender. He has earned three consecutive triple-digit Beyers, a feat no other horse in the field can claim, but he will face a faster pace than he is used to.
These three horses are the clear market leaders, but the race is not without its intriguing longshots.
The field is deep, and the value is not limited to the favorites. Horses like Bishops Bay, at 6/1, and Crazy Mason, at 10/1, offer excellent potential. Both have shown flashes of brilliance and could capitalize on a fast pace. The longshot category includes Full Moon Madness (20/1), Extra Anejo (20/1), Doc Sullivan (20/1), Scotland (12/1), Over and Ollie (30/1), and Hold My Bourbon (30/1).
These horses are coming off recent victories or solid showings in lesser stakes, and a favorable trip or a pace meltdown could put them in the mix for a piece of the purse. With these generous 2025 Forego Stakes odds, you have a chance to find a horse with a great price that can hit the board.
As with all horse racing, the morning line is a starting point, and the final odds will shift based on public betting. Monitoring the market closely and looking for a horse whose price is moving in the right direction can be a successful strategy.
The Forego Stakes has a long and storied history, with a list of past winners that includes some of the most accomplished sprinters and milers of their generations. The race is named for the legendary gelding Forego, a three-time Horse of the Year in the 1970s. While Forego himself never won the race named in his honor, his legacy as a dominant older horse carrying enormous weights has made the Forego Stakes a benchmark for excellence.
Recent winners of the Forego Stakes have continued this tradition of greatness. Gunite won the 2023 edition with a powerful performance, while the 2022 winner, Cody's Wish, solidified his status as a champion with a decisive victory on his way to the Breeders' Cup. In 2021, Yaupon took the win in a thrilling duel, and in 2020, Win Win Win was victorious.
Looking further back, horses like Mitole (2019), who went on to become the Eclipse Award-winning male sprinter, and Drefong (2017), also a champion sprinter, have etched their names into the race's history. These past winners highlight the race's importance as a stepping stone to championship honors.
A deep analysis of the 2025 Forego Stakes field reveals several key factors for bettors to consider. The pace of the race will likely be fast, with several horses eager to get to the front. This scenario often sets up perfectly for a stalker or a closer. Book'em Danno (8/5) and Mullikin (7/2) are both top contenders, but their prices might not offer significant value for a win bet.
Book'em Danno is the deserving favorite, coming off a powerful win, but he will face a much more demanding pace scenario in this field. Mullikin is a consistent horse but might lack the top-end speed to overcome a horse like Book'em Danno. For those looking for a horse with a bit more value, Most Wanted (5/1) is an interesting prospect. His three straight triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures are impossible to ignore, but he must prove he can handle the intense early pressure.
US Racing's top pick for the race is Book'em Danno. He enters the race in career-best form, and his versatility allows him to adapt to different race scenarios. While the price is short, he is the most likely winner.
For a value play, I'm looking at Crazy Mason (10/1). His running style is ideally suited for a race with a quick pace, and his late closing kick could be devastating in the final furlong. He showed a bit of a lackluster performance in his last race out west, but he is back east and should find the setup much more favorable.
Considering a trifecta or superfecta wager? I would include Book'em Danno, Mullikin, and Crazy Mason, as well as Scotland (12/1), who could make a late run to hit the board. His form has been solid, and he has a knack for finding the money at a price.
The 2025 Forego Stakes is a race you don't want to miss. It brings together a sensational field of Grade 1-level sprinters and milers on one of the most exciting days of the North American racing season.
Whether you are a casual fan or a serious handicapper, the race offers a perfect storm of competition, history, and incredible betting opportunities. With a deep field and a wide range of prices, you can find your ideal wager.
As the horses enter the starting gate, you will feel the adrenaline of the crowd and the thrill of the chase. So, dive into the odds, analyze the field, and get ready to experience the excitement of the 2025 Forego Stakes.
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.
