The Whitney Stakes at Saratoga:
A Legacy of Excellence
August 2, 2025, Saratoga Race Course will host the 97th running of the Whitney Stakes. In what is expected to be a crowded grandstand, the Grade 1 race is set to go off at 5:41 ET. This captivating race is a midsummer must-see for the Saratoga Race Course fan. Let’s take a dive into the interesting history, the qualifications, what it means to win it, some memorable races, and the current field.
History of the Whitney Stakes
First run in 1928, the Whitney Stakes eponymously named for the Whitney family. The family has a long history in thoroughbred racing. The Whitney family is greatly responsible for Saratoga Race Track staying meaningful to this day. They have been prominent in the sport for generations going back over a century. The race was initially called the Whitney Handicap. It is a ‘win and you’re in’ qualifier for the Breeder’s Cup Classic.
William Collins Whitney, co-founder of The Jockey Club, purchased Saratoga Race Course as it was rapidly deteriorating and rebuilt it. His son Harry inherited the racing operations and was very successful. Winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness more than once. The first filly to win the Derby was his own Regret. Cornelius Vanderbilt, ‘Sonny’, Whitney was a cofounder of the National Museum of Racing, as well as owner of several Whitney Stakes champions.
Up until 2019, the “Queen of Saratoga”, Marylou Whitney, wife of Sonny, built up her stable with well known champions like Birdstone and Bird Town. She is the only woman to bred a Kentucky Oaks winner, owned multiple Travers winners, and many other successful horses over the years. She was posthumously inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame as a Pillar of the Turf in 2019.
Qualifications to Run in the Whitney Stakes
Qualifying is based on past performances and is limited to how many horses take the field. This is to ensure strong competition. It is often used as preparation for more prestigious races later in the year. The horse must be at least four year old.
As of 1957, the race has basically been restricted to four year old horses and older. It puts some of the best older horses against each other, a natural showcase due to what is at stake.
Memorable Races from the Past
Like many races with a long history, the Whitney has had some unforgettable memories. It is one of the few races the great Secretariat lost. In 1973, Onion defeated Secretariat. It is regularly referred to as one of the greatest upsets in the history of the sport.
In 2023, White Abarrio, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. was a surprise winner of the Whitney. He was a 10:1 at post time and won by over 6 lengths. White Abarrio went on to win the Breeder’s Cup later that year.
The 2025 Whitney Stakes: Current Field and Odds
The Favorites
Fierceness: A 4-year-old City of Light colt trained by Todd Pletcher, who has earned $4,515,320. He finished second in the Met Mile (G1) at Saratoga and is ridden by John Velázquez. $4.5 MM Eclipse Award 2023 Champion 2 yo colt, 1st in FanDuel Breeders Cup Juvenile, 2nd Longines Breeders Cup Classic, our pick here and a true standout in the field. Hall of famer jockey, the two have a history of success, he is money and has won everywhere.
Sierra Leone: A 4-year-old Gun Runner colt trained by Chad Brown, who has earned $6,256,200. He finished second in the New Orleans Classic (G2) and the Stephen Foster (G1). $6.2 MM Eclipse Award 2024, 2nd in Derby and 3rd in Belmont 2024 . Sierra Leone is consistently in the money.
White Abarrio: A 6-year-old son of Race Day trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., who has earned $3,661,610. He won the Whitney and Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2023 and is ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.. $7MM 1st in Longines Breeders Cup Classic in 2023 Does well in Florida, not so strong outside the state. Has the pedigree, but age has to be a factor here.
Has A Shot
Highland Falls: A 5-year-old Curlin horse trained by Brad Cox, who has earned $1.3 MM. He won the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) and is ridden by Luis Sáez. Won the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (Grade 1) at Saratoga and the Blame Stakes (Grade 3) at Churchill Downs in 2024. Highland Falls has not had a great 2025 overall.
Skippylongstocking: A 6-year-old Exaggerator horse trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., who has earned $3,661,610. He won the Hollywood Gold Cup (G2) and is ridden by José Ortiz. He finished 3rd in the 2022 Belmont, This 6 year old is still winning, but in G(2) and G(3) fields.
Post Time: A 5-year-old Frosted horse trained by Brittany Russell, who has earned $1,363,600. He is ridden by Sheldon Russell. He also placed in three Grade 1 events in 2024, including a second-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. He won the 2024 General George Stakes (G3) and the 2024 Carter Handicap (G2).
Long Shots
Disarm: Is a son of 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner and is trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen. Disarm earned his way into the 2023 Kentucky Derby with a runner-up finish in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and a third in the Lexington Stakes (G3). He finished 4th in the Whitney last year and has won close to $1,500,000.
Mama’s Gold: Has achieved a significant victory in the Empire Classic Stakes (a New York-bred stakes race) at Belmont; significant since he went off at 40:1. He has posted significant Beyer Speed Figures in racing, crossing 100 more than once. Mama’s Gold has race from 6 – 9 furlongs with success. Could play into a trifecta/superfecta
Contrary Thinking: A 5-year-old Into Mischief horse trained by Chad Brown, who has earned. He is ridden by Dylan Davis and is very likely to be out the gate fast and leading into the first turn as a pace horse here. Contrary Thinking, stable mate of Sierra Leone, has a clear job to do here.
Our Thoughts on the race...
We feel this is a two horse race. Sierra Leone and Fierceness should battle it out for the exacta.
Trifecta Box: #3, #5, and #9 seems very safe bet here, Superfecta Box: 3, 5, 9, and 10. If we are boxing a superfecta, we want some bigger odds to make it pay. For some fun we like to mix the 5 and 9 with 3/6/7/10
Pro tip: We are not professional handicappers but love mixing up boxes.
