How to bet the 2025 Ogden Phipps Stakes

Seven graded stakes winners, four of which have achieved glory at the Grade 1 level, will tussle in Friday’s exciting $500,000 Ogden Phipps S. (G1) at Saratoga. The 1 1/8-mile affair is one of the highlights of the Friday card and has assembled a superb group in a challenging handicapping assignment. Conditioner Chad Brown has a pair of major players in the group, and I will side with one of his entrants for the top prize. 

Ogden Phipps Wagers

• $5 trifecta key 7 with 1,4,6 ($30)
• 50-cent superfecta 7 with 1,4,6 with 1,4,6 with all ($12)

While #7 Randomized (9-2) is not the most consistent or talented contender in the field, I like her chances in her return to The Spa as the defending champ in the tilt. By Nyquist, the five-year-old does her best work when on the front end at distances of nine furlongs or more, and she has also earned both of her wins at the Grade 1 level on this strip, too. She was a close third in the La Troienne S. (G1) in her 2025 debut but will move forward with the added ground on Friday, and I expect her to take the lead early and to gallop her way to a front-running tally under Joel Rosario. 

I’ll focus on a trio of runners under my top pick, including Brown’s consistently excellent #4 Raging Sea (5-2). The Alpha Delta Stables homebred rallied for a victory in the La Troienne to commence her five-year-old campaign, but like her stablemate, I envision the daughter of Curlin to improve on the move to 1 1/8 miles in this one. Kentucky-bred chestnut dons an 8-5-2-0 mark at the distance and is a must-use with regular pilot Flavien Prat aboard. 

Multiple Grade 2 queen #6 Tarifa (9-2) comes off a good second in the deep Doubledogdare S. (G3) at Keeneland in her second run of the season and could peak third time back for Brad Cox. The Bernardini filly is not flashy or necessarily explosive, but she is very talented and has hit the board in a handful of graded races in succession. Luis Saez will take the reins. 

#1 Dorth Vader (10-1) had a rough voyage in the La Troienne and could have been no worse than second with racing luck for George Weaver. The underrated mare gets a good draw on the rail, and while the distance is a bit of a question mark for her, I will still tab her for a positive run with John Velazquez retaining the ride.

Join us on June 7 for a rematch that will shake the stands. Many top Kentucky Derby contenders return for the Belmont S. (G1) to fight for the finish, including probable contender Journalism, winner of Preakness 150, and Sovereignty, winner of Derby 151. Who will stand in the winner's circle for Belmont?

Stay with us throughout Belmont Day during stakes races as we bring you the latest horse racing news, live odds, expert picks, and more. It is sure to be an exciting day of racing!

Also, come chat with our expert panel regarding Friday and Saturday racing during Saratoga's Friday card, including the Acorn Stakes!