Florida-Bred Star Strategic Risk Eyes Victory at $175K Sanford Stakes!
Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA - As the excitement builds leading up to the races this weekend, two notable events will capture the attention of Florida horse racing enthusiasts: the Sanford Stakes at Saratoga Race Course and the 2025 Belmont Stakes. Each event showcases the talent nurtured within our state, promising thrilling competition and the potential for greatness.
First off, FTBOA reports that John C. Oxley’s promising colt, Strategic Risk, will take to the track in the $175,000 Sanford (Grade 3) at Saratoga. After dominating his debut with an impressive victory by eight-and-a-quarter lengths, expectations are high for this two-year-old. Strategic Risk, trained by Mark Casse, comes into the race as the third choice at 9-2 odds.
In a competitive lineup featuring six talented two-year-olds racing over six furlongs, Strategic Risk is set to make a bid for glory. His earlier performance at Gulfstream Park saw him accelerate away from the competition, finishing in a blistering time of 58.29 seconds for five furlongs. Riding from post five, Irad Ortiz Jr. will aim to help him secure another victory that will certainly add to his earnings of $35,800 from his sole start.
Stars of the Sanford Stakes
Strategic Risk is joined by other formidable contenders, including stablemate Blinging It Back, the current favorite at 6-5 odds. Owned by Gary Barber and Peter Deutsch, Blinging It Back finished third in a previous outing, amassing $42,000 across his two starts and will be ridden by José Ortiz from post four.
The second choice, Obliteration, trained by Steve Asmussen, enters the race with a strong resume, having won his maiden by seven-and-a-half lengths at Churchill Downs. He will start from post two and is a force to be reckoned with at 7-5 odds.
Also noteworthy are the Florida-breds competing in the Sanford, which has a storied history; 11 Florida-breds have claimed victory in this race, with Firenze Fire being the latest in 2017. Horses like Imagine John, Honey Dutch, and Fistfulofmoney will round out the field, making this a highly anticipated event.
Belmont Stakes Connections
Sovereignty, who recently triumphed in the 2025 Kentucky Derby, will be competing alongside Preakness winner Journalism. Trained by Bill Mott, Sovereignty has shown considerable prowess with notable performances including victories in the Fountain of Youth and a solid second-place finish in the Florida Derby. Meanwhile, Baeza, who finished third in the Derby, was a hefty investment at $1.2 million during the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
The Belmont Stakes has historical significance for our community, with past champions like Dornoch (2024) and Arcangelo (2023) adding to the local lore. George Isaacs, general manager at Bridlewood Farm, is particularly hopeful for Journalism’s chances in this high-stakes showdown, solidified by a strong win record including the Santa Anita Derby and the San Felipe Stakes.
A Legacy of Racing
Delving into the broader narrative of the Belmont, FanDuel notes that the race has a quite remarkable history, led by the legendary Secretariat, whose record of 2:24.0 stands unmatched. The race will return to its traditional length of 1½ miles in 2026, which only adds to the anticipation surrounding this year’s competitors.
Overall, the upcoming races promise not just thrilling action but also a showcase of the exceptional talent that Florida has to offer in the world of horse racing. With both the Sanford Stakes and the Belmont Stakes on the horizon, local fans have much to look forward to as they cheer on their favorites in the hopes of victory.
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