Exotics Plays for the 2025 Saratoga Derby

Nine talented sophomores will run 1 3/16 miles on the green at Saratoga in Saturday’s lucrative, $750,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational S. (G1). A trio of contenders are in from Europe to make their respective first appearances in the states, led by Group 1 winner #7 Hotazhell (7-5), who gets the slight nod in the event.

Saratoga Derby Exotics

• $5 exacta key box 7 with 5,6,9 ($30)
• $2 trifecta key 7 with 5,6,9 ($12)
• 20-cent superfecta 7 with 5,6,9 with 5,6,9 with all ($7.20)

Trained by Jessica Harrington, the son of Too Darn Hot was four-for-six with three group tallies as a juvenile and has run well in a pair of deep fields this season, led by a third in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1) at The Curragh in his seasonal debut. The Silverton Hill color bearer held up pretty well going 1 1/4 miles at Sandown most recently and should find this trip right in his wheelhouse on Saturday. Regular pilot Shane Foley coming in to ride is a major positive in my opinion. 

#9 World Beater (10-1) has improved his Brisnet Speed rating in every career run to date, and the ascending colt was last seen rallying for a runner-up result in the Belmont Derby (G1) on the surface most recently. Conditioned by Riley Mott, the son of Oscar Performance wasn’t done any favors when being assigned the outside post in the race, but he is in fine form and also gives the impression of a colt who will thrive with the added distance on this day. The talented late runner will be doing his best work late beneath Jaime Torres. 

Belmont Derby (G1) victor #5 Test Score (7-2) has been very good in his last trio of assignments and could surely win the race with another step in the right direction. The Lookin at Lucky colt prospered in his initial try beyond 1 1/16 miles last time and figures to like the move to 1 3/16 miles in this spot. The bay has the tactical speed to stay in range early and will be formidable with his best under Manny Franco. 

The 2024 Summer S. (G1) star #6 New Century (5-1) was taken out of his game when too close to the pace in the Belmont Derby most recently, when finishing fifth, beaten by two lengths. While I have a feeling that the accomplished son of Kameko might be more of a miler type, he is too talented to ignore, with Irad taking the reins.