Today’s Thoroughbred Horse Racing News – Saturday, August 2, 2025

Thoroughbred horse racing fans across North America can look forward to a packed slate of high-caliber action today as tracks from New York to California stage feature contests, showcase emerging equine stars, and set the stage for the prestigious summer meet highlights. This article brings you detailed news and results from every major track racing today, profiles the day’s must-watch horses, and previews North America’s top scheduled stakes races.

Feature Races and Results

Saratoga Race Course

• Whitney Stakes (G1): One of Saratoga’s premier events, the Whitney Stakes, takes center stage today with an elite field of older horses. Results will determine early championship bragging rights for the division and impact rankings for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Early reports suggest a thrilling stretch duel in this $1.25 million contest.
• Test Stakes (G1): The nation’s best 3-year-old fillies sprint 7 furlongs. Strong performances here often launch future champions; fan-favorite filly Good Cheer is among today’s headliners.
• Fourstardave Handicap (G1): Top milers clash in this historic turf race, featuring a competitive lineup of seasoned turf specialists and up-and-coming challengers.

Churchill Downs

• La Troienne Stakes (G1): Raging Sea delivered on expectations, capturing the top prize in this $1 million contest for older fillies and mares, solidifying her status in the distaff division.
• Alysheba Stakes (G2): Fierceness stormed home to win for trainer Todd Pletcher under jockey John Velazquez, pocketing the lion’s share of a $750,000 purse.
• Edgewood Stakes (G2): Nitrogen prevailed in a well-matched field of sophomore fillies on the turf, marking a significant graded win for trainer Mark Casse.
• Eight Belles Stakes (G2): Look Forward made a statement with a powerful victory, outkicking rivals in the stretch.
• Kentucky Oaks (G1): Good Cheer confirmed her class with a resounding win in the $1.5 million classic for 3-year-old fillies.

Gulfstream Park

• Today’s card features a series of competitive allowance and maiden special weight races, offering rising prospects the chance to step forward. Several 2-year-old maiden heats are expected to reveal emerging talent.

Laurel Park

• Middle-distance allowance races and a state-bred stakes headline today’s program, with several competitive fields assembled and several prominent Maryland-breds in attendance.

Delaware Park

• Delaware Park hosts a stakes-rich card, with turf sprints and route features drawing deep, open fields that have created intriguing wagering opportunities.

Finger Lakes

• A mix of state-bred and open company races are scheduled, highlighted by competitive allowance-level contests and several promising local performers.

Belterra Park

• Maiden special weights and claiming sprints headline a lively Saturday program. Early races saw close finishes and showcased improving horses in their respective divisions.

Stars to Watch

• Raging Sea (Churchill Downs): Having dominated the La Troienne, Raging Sea cements her place as one of the season’s top older mares and a leading distance specialist.
• Good Cheer (Churchill Downs, Saratoga): This 3-year-old filly followed her Kentucky Oaks victory with a strong showing in top company, confirming her credentials as the class of her generation.
• Fierceness (Churchill Downs): A major Alysheba Stakes victory today puts Fierceness in the conversation for older male honors and signals readiness for even larger tests.
• Look Forward (Churchill Downs): With today’s Eight Belles triumph, Look Forward is a sprinting filly to keep close tabs on as the season unfolds.
• Nitrogen (Churchill Downs): This promising turf filly’s Edgewood win puts her squarely in the division’s upper tier.
• Emerging Juveniles (Gulfstream Park, Belterra Park): Several 2-year-olds unveiled today are drawing attention after swift maiden victories, making them future stars in the making.

Upcoming Major Races

• Whitney Stakes (Saratoga Race Course): This iconic Grade 1 goes to post later this afternoon and features a blend of accomplished veterans and new challengers, serving as a pivotal prep for the Breeders’ Cup.
• Fourstardave Handicap (Saratoga Race Course): Top turf milers are set to contest this storied Grade 1, with implications for end-of-year divisional honors.
• Test Stakes (Saratoga Race Course): One of the summer’s major sprints for 3-year-old fillies, expected to produce championship contenders.
• Delaware Handicap (Delaware Park): The season’s richest local race brings together the track’s best older fillies and mares.