By Jarrod Horak
The De La Rose Stakes headlines the Friday, July 17 card at Saratoga as Race 9, featuring a $150,000 purse for fillies and mares that have not won a graded stakes race in 2025 or 2026. The field will travel one mile on the inner turf course with a scheduled post time of 5:45 p.m. ET.
Race Overview
Salty Senorita draws the rail and projects as the likely early leader after showing the way in two of her last three starts. Horses such as And One More Time, Long Ago, and Being Betty also possess early-pressing speed and should ensure an honest tempo.
That setup could favor runners capable of sitting just behind the leaders before producing a strong late kick.
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
#1 Salty Senorita
Salty Senorita has shown early speed and nearly won the Lady Canterbury Stakes in her most recent start, finishing second by a neck. She projects as the main speed from the rail, but she’ll need to prove she belongs against a deeper and more accomplished field.
#2 Hang the Moon
A two-time Grade 2 winner in 2024, Hang the Moon enters this race after competing against tougher company in the Grade 1 Gamely. Since joining trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., she has won an optional claiming race, narrowly missed in the Sand Springs Stakes, and most recently missed third by a nose in the Grade 1 Gamely at Santa Anita.
The class relief is significant. She owns a sharp late kick, regularly finishing her races strongly, and should enjoy a ground-saving trip from post 2 under her new rider Irad Ortiz, Jr.
#3 And One More Time
The Grade 1 Natalma Stakes winner from 2024 continues to run competitive races against quality company. She captured the Plenty of Grace Stakes earlier this season before finishing a respectable fifth in the Grade 1 Just a Game after a wide trip.
She is 3-for-4 at one mile and has the tactical speed to secure favorable early position.
#4 Sandtrap
One of the most intriguing runners in the field, Sandtrap is lightly raced and still appears to have considerable upside. After showing promise in Europe in 2024, she returned from a lengthy layoff this year with an impressive allowance victory before trying Grade 1 competition in the Just a Game.
She now drops into a more realistic spot for Chad Brown, and the addition of recently hot rider Flavien Prat makes her especially dangerous.
#5 Table Flirt
Table Flirt switches surfaces and will likely need to improve her speed figures to threaten this group. She returns with Junior Alvarado aboard but appears to face a difficult assignment.
#6 Long Ago
Long Ago nearly wired the field in the Miss Liberty Stakes at Monmouth in her seasonal debut. She should again be involved early, although many runners shipping from Monmouth often face a tougher challenge at Saratoga.
#7 Proctor Street
Proctor Street deserves plenty of respect after finishing in the money in her last three graded stakes appearances. She was narrowly beaten in both the Grade 2 Hillsborough and the Grade 3 Mint Julep, showing consistency against quality competition.
Although she just misses the top selections, she is a legitimate trifecta candidate and should be included in exotic wagers.
#8 Awesome Czech
Few horses enjoy Saratoga as much as Awesome Czech. She owns four wins from five local starts and was the beaten favorite in the Grade 3 Gallorette Stakes after enduring a wide trip throughout at Laurel Park last time.
If she works out a more efficient journey this time, her outstanding local record gives her every chance.
#9 Deep Satin
Last year’s De La Rose Stakes winner returns to defend her title after spending the past year competing exclusively in graded stakes company. She was runner-up in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa last summer and finished fourth when last seen in the Grade 1 Just a Game at Saratoga on June 6.
The class drop helps, but she’ll need to improve upon her recent speed figures while overcoming an outer draw.
#10 Being Betty
The New York-bred mare enters in excellent form after consecutive victories, including the Mount Vernon Stakes at Saratoga. She possesses tactical speed but will need to work out a favorable trip from the tough post.
