Betting With, and Against, Johannes in the Fourstardave Stakes

A top-notch cast of 10 will jaunt one mile on the Saratoga inner grass oval in Saturday’s $750,000 Fourstardave S. (G1). Turf savant #3 Johannes (5-2) has been tabbed as the deserving morning-line choice in his seasonal debut for conditioner Tim Yakteen. The Nyquist homebred flashed considerable potential through his sophomore season, but the five-year-old really exploded in 2024. He racked up five graded stakes wins from six appearances, with his lone defeat coming when a fine runner-up result in the deep Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Del Mar. 

Johannes – With

• $5 trifecta key 3 with 1,4,8 ($30)
• 50-cent superfecta 3 with 1,4,8 with 1,4,8 with all ($21)

Johannes – Against

• $2 trifecta 1,4,8 with 1,3,4,8 with 1,3,4,8 ($36)
• 50-cent superfecta 4 with 1,3,8 with 1,3,8 with 1,2,3,6,7,8,9 ($15)

Johannes might show some rust on Saturday, but he has been working steadily since May, and this has been his target all along. The Kentucky-bred thrives at the distance and should always be well placed in his local debut beneath Umberto Rispoli. 

#4 Think Big (6-1) has blossomed since moving to the grass for trainer Michael Stidham, with wins in five of his six turf endeavors. The Twirling Candy gelding possesses a fine turn of foot, and he proved capable of going eight panels last time out when rallying to a victory in the Kelso S. (G3) on the course. The multiple Grade 2 winner has enough positional speed to stay in touch early prior to being asked for his best in the lane with Luis Saez in the silks. 

The rail draw could be a great thing for Shug McGaughey’s #1 Cugino (10-1) in his first try at the Grade 1 level. The Twirling Candy colt was a measured winner over a strong allowance field in his 2025 debut at Aqueduct on June 19 and will surely move forward second time off the layoff. His running style fits the cast well, and having Irad in the silks in a big race at The Spa is always a good thing, too. 

Manhattan S. (G1) victor #8 Deterministic (9-2) has led at every call in a pair of graded wins in succession and has reportedly been training in superb fashion coming into this test. Miguel Clement's pupil has rallied from off the pace on multiple occasions in the past, and his versatility could play a big role in the race with Kendrick Carmouche staying in the silks.