Finger Lakes presents an eight-race card on Monday, August 18, 2025, with a post time of 1:00 PM. The card features a diverse mix of race types including allowance races, claiming events, and maiden special weight contests. The highlight of the day appears to be Race 1, an allowance contest for 3+ year old geldings and colts at 5.5 furlongs with a purse of $26,900. Other notable races include Race 5, a maiden special weight event with a purse of $32,600, and various claiming races ranging from $13,800 to $17,500 in purse value.
Weather Forecast and Track Conditions
Based on available weather data for the Finger Lakes region, Monday, August 18, 2025, is expected to feature historical average temperatures of approximately 80°F for the high and 60°F for the low. The region has been experiencing a stretch of dry, comfortable weather conditions with high pressure systems dominating the weather pattern.
Track conditions are expected to be fast on the main dirt surface, consistent with the dry weather pattern that has been prevalent in the region. The lack of recent precipitation should ensure optimal racing conditions with good footing for the horses.
Race-by-Race Analysis and Picks
Race 1 – Allowance (5.5F Dirt, $26,900)
This allowance race features a competitive field of five runners. Newport Bridge enters as the morning line favorite at 1-2 odds despite a disappointing second-place finish in his last start, losing by 9.5 lengths. The horse’s previous form suggests better capability than that last effort showed.
Gold Templar presents solid value at 7-1 morning line odds, coming off a convincing win at Finger Lakes in July where he held on stubbornly to win by half a length. John’s In Charge also merits consideration at 14-1, having won his last start at this track by three-quarters of a length.
Charlie’s Express brings class from his Saratoga appearance, finishing second despite being outclassed in that company.
Race 3 – Allowance (6 Furlongs, $26900)
Race 3 at Finger Lakes on Monday, August 18, 2025, is an allowance contest for fillies and mares 3 years old and upward at 6 furlongs on the dirt track. This $26,900 purse race features five runners with the winner earning $16,948. The race is scheduled for 6:58 PM ET and represents one of the higher-class events on the card.
The allowance conditions specify horses that have not won two races since February 18, 2025, with three-year-olds carrying 120 pounds and older horses carrying 124 pounds.
Field Analysis and Picks
Top Selection: Redwineandwhiskey (3/1)
Redwineandwhiskey emerges as the top choice despite being the third choice on the morning line at 3/1. This filly brings the most recent winning form, having captured her last start at Finger Lakes in July at this exact 6-furlong distance, defeating Carol T by half a length in a competitive field of eight. Her running style as a “Fast Leader” suits the distance, and she carries 124 pounds with experienced rider Nazario Alvarado.
The filly has shown consistency with 2 wins from 11 starts and hits the board 64% of the time. Her trainer Linda K Dixon has a modest 9% win rate but 38% in-the-money percentage.
Secondary Choice: Idyll Gossip (2/1)
Idyll Gossip is the morning line favorite at 2/1 and presents solid credentials. Trained by Paul W Barrow, who boasts a 13% win rate and 49% in-the-money percentage, she’s ridden by Joel Cruz. This filly finished fifth of six in her last start at Finger Lakes over 5.5 furlongs in July, but that effort showed some trouble as she “lagged out at 3/8 and was erratic in the final sixteenth”.
Her style is listed as “Fastest Deep,” suggesting she can close from off the pace. With 2 wins from 8 starts and earnings of $70,890, she has shown ability at this level.
Value Play: Stunning Sugar (7/2)
Stunning Sugar offers the best value proposition at 7/2 morning line odds. This filly won her penultimate start at Finger Lakes over 6 furlongs in July and finished a respectable third in her most recent outing, beaten 8.5 lengths behind Zi End. Her “Slower Closer” style could be effective if the pace develops favorably.
Jockey Jeremias Flores brings strong credentials with a 17% win rate and 59% in-the-money percentage over 107 mounts. She’s also trained by Paul W Barrow, giving this barn two legitimate chances in the race.
Longshot Consideration: Goodys Girl (5/2)
Goodys Girl won her last start at Finger Lakes over 5 furlongs in July, defeating Big Advantage by 1.75 lengths. However, the shorter distance of that victory raises questions about her effectiveness stretching out to 6 furlongs. Her “Slowest Leads” running style suggests she may set or press the early pace.
Andre S Worrie takes the mount for trainer Chris J Englehart, who shows a 13% win rate and 49% in-the-money percentage.
Dismiss: Going Home Now (8/1)
Going Home Now appears outclassed in this field. Her last start resulted in a sixth-place finish, beaten 12.5 lengths at this track over 6 furlongs. While she has shown ability in the past with victories over longer distances, her recent form suggests she’s not competitive at this level.
Wagering Recommendation
Redwineandwhiskey represents the best win bet at 3/1 odds, offering value as a recent winner at the distance with favorable pace scenario prospects. For exotic wagers, key Redwineandwhiskey over Idyll Gossip and Stunning Sugar in exactas and trifectas.
We favor Stunning Sugar, noting she “ran into sharp customer” in her last start with “no such rivals” in this field. Also, trainer Paul W Barrow “appears to hold all the cards” with Idyll Gossip.
Race 8 – Claiming (5f 110y Dirt, $17,500)
The final race of the day features seven runners in a claiming event. Cajunette stands out as the 3-5 morning line favorite, having won her last start at Finger Lakes in July by two lengths in maiden company. Her graduation to winner status makes her the logical choice despite the step up in class.
Pesadilla Chanel offers value at 10-1 odds, having finished second by just a head in her last outing. Lady Banker could be a factor at 18-1 if the pace sets up favorably, having finished fourth last time while racing wide.
Jockey Notes and Insights
Based on the available data, several jockeys appear prominently on today’s card. Joel Cruz has multiple mounts and shows solid recent statistics. Christopher Elliott rides the morning line favorite in Race 1 and has been performing well with a 13% win rate and 47% in-the-money percentage.
Jeremias Flores appears to be having a strong meet with a 21% win rate and 56% in-the-money percentage over 107 mounts. Laird O Bailey and other regular riders at the track are also represented on today’s card.
However, specific insights about jockey strategies or recent form beyond basic statistics were not available in the search results.
Trainer Notes and Insights
Paul W Barrow appears to be having a successful meet with a 22% win rate and 58% in-the-money percentage. Chris J Englehart also shows solid numbers with a 23% win rate.
Gregory D Sacco, Jacqueline Falk, and David Oyola are among the other trainers represented on today’s card with varying degrees of recent success.
Detailed trainer patterns, stable strategies, or specific insights about today’s entries were not available in the comprehensive search results.
Wagering Strategies and Value Plays
For today’s card, consider focusing on the following strategies:
The allowance race (Race 1) offers the best opportunity for solid wagering given the competitive nature and higher purse structure. Gold Templar at 7-1 morning line odds represents potential value given his recent winning form at the track.
In the claiming races, look for horses dropping in class or showing recent improvement. Cajunette in Race 8 appears to be the most reliable play of the day as the heavy favorite coming off a breakthrough maiden win.
For exotic wagers, consider using multiple horses in the claiming races where the fields tend to be more competitive and outcomes less predictable. The daily double connecting races with allowance conditions to claiming events could provide value if the favorites hold up in the higher-class races.
