With the 2025 Whitney Stakes set to go at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, August 2, horseplayers are zeroing in on the full field, morning-line favorites, and post positions to plan their bets of what promises to be a marquee summer showdown.
This edition features a 10-horse field, headlined by champions Fierceness (9/5) and Sierra Leone (2/1)—fresh off their Breeders’ Cup Classic rematch—and backed by the veteran White Abarrio (4/1). With early-speed entries and pace to shape the race, it’s a compelling mix of tactical styles and high-class talent.
Fierceness enters the Whitney as the morning‑line favorite, boasting elite credentials that include wins in the 2024 Travers Stakes (G1) and a runner‑up finish in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic to Sierra Leone. Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by John Velázquez from post 9, Fierceness has proven speed and tactical savvy—he can settle just off the early pace and unleash a strong late kick.
His recent second in the Met Mile (G1) came despite a troubled start, and connections feel he’s primed to bounce back over a longer trip at Saratoga. With pace projected up front, Fierceness should get the stalking trip he loves and be perfectly placed to run down the closers.
Sierra Leone, trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Flavien Prat from post 5, is the reigning 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and Champion Three-Year-Old Male of 2024. With a flawless record of never finishing out of the money (11: 4‑4‑3) and over $6.2 million in earnings, he’s as consistent as they come.
Known for unleashing powerful late runs, Sierra Leone thrives in pace-heavy scenarios. In his most recent outing, he closed strongly to finish second in the Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) on June 28—confirming his readiness for a fast-run Whitney.
White Abarrio, the 2023 Whitney Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, returns under Irad Ortiz Jr. from post 7 at 4/1 odds. Now six years old, he’s still firing strong in 2025 with wins in the Pegasus World Cup and Ghostzapper Stakes, though his last start in the Met Mile resulted in a fourth-place finish.
White Abarrio’s stalking style should land him in a good striking position—significantly closer than Sierra Leone—and give him the chance to pounce if the pace crumbles late.
While Fierceness, Sierra Leone, and White Abarrio are the headline horses, players shouldn’t ignore runners like Mindframe (5/2)—a rising star trained by Todd Pletcher—along with graded stakes winners Skippylongstocking (10‑1) and Highland Falls (8‑1). Longshots Mama’s Gold and Contrary Thinking at 50‑1 may help set the pace early, providing a setup for the closers behind them.
Post-draw and running styles suggest a wide pace scenario, with Mama’s Gold (PP 4) and Contrary Thinking (PP 8) projected to press or lead early, setting up for late closers. Sierra Leone from PP 5 and White Abarrio from PP 7 will have ideal positions to mid-pack stalk and strike in the stretch. Fierceness, breaking from post 9 under Velázquez, should find his stalking spot outside the early speed before unleashing his kick.
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | ML Odds |
| 1 | Mindframe | Jose Gomez | Todd Pletcher | 5/2 |
| 2 | Skippylongstocking | Jose Ortiz | Saffie Joseph Jr. | 10/1 |
| 3 | Highland Falls | Luis Saez | Brad Cox | 8/1 |
| 4 | Mama’s Gold | Romero Maragh | James Ferraro | 50/1 |
| 5 | Sierra Leone | Flavien Prat | Chad Brown | 2/1 |
| 6 | Disarm | Joel Rosario | Steve Asmussen | 15/1 |
| 7 | White Abarrio | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Saffie Joseph Jr. | 4/1 |
| 8 | Contrary Thinking | Dylan Davis | Chad Brown | 50/1 |
| 9 | Fierceness | John Velázquez | Todd Pletcher | 9/5 |
| 10 | Post Time | Sheldon Russell | Brittany Russell | 12/1 |
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.
