How to bet the 2025 Hall of Fame Stakes

Eight sophomores are entered for the turf in Friday’s feature at Saratoga, the $400,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. (G2). The one-mile test on the inner turf oval attracted a talented and accomplished group in what appears to be a fantastic event. 

Hall of Fame Wagers

• $15 win and place #2 Luther ($30)
• $4 exacta key box 2 with 6,7 ($16)

In a field with an abundance of speed and forwardly placed runners, it seems that Euro import #2 Luther (3-1) will receive an advantageous voyage in his second run over the Saratoga sod. Trained by Charlie Fellowes, the bay son of Frankel flashed considerable ability on multiple occasions overseas and gave a good impression of himself in his U. S. debut, too. He was last early in the Belmont Derby (G1) on July 4 but put in a strong late run to finish third, beaten by 1 1/4 lengths.

Luther earned a 104 Brisnet Late Pace rating in that nine-furlong test, and the cut back to one mile might enhance his closing kick even more on Friday. The colt is well drawn near the rail with speed to his inside to save ground throughout the contest, and I envision him running past his foes in the latter stages of the race with Joel Rosario inheriting the live mount. 

#6 Out On Bail (15-1) is very interesting to me at a big price. The Mike Maker pupil was an excellent turf dasher at two, which includes a maiden win and stakes score on this course, and the gray proved capable of handling eight panels last time out when a close third over yielding turf in the Penn Mile (G3). New York-bred colt has a versatile running style and could prosper from being relaxed early and making one run late with Johnnie V in the stirrups. 

Morning-line choice #7 Zulu Kingdom (6-5) is not the flashiest of horses, but the Chad Brown trainee continues to win, nonetheless. The bay son of Ten Sovereigns is six-for-seven in his lifetime, which includes a pair of tallies from as many tries on the local lawn, and the Grade 1 winner has room to move forward while making his second appearance since May, as well. He has come out on top over firm, good, and yielding turf, and the sophomore is a must-use with Flavien Prat retaining the mount.