From the Spa: July 25 Midlantic-breds in Saratoga stakes

“From the Spa,” written by our on-site correspondent Joe Aiello, III, returns to keep you up-to-date on horses bred in the mid-Atlantic racing in Saratoga stakes.

Coins have been used as a medium of exchange in Western civilization since 700 BC. Tradition has it that if you find a coin on the ground, and it is face down, you should not pick it up because it’s bad luck. Here’s the “heads up” on our Mid-Atlantic breds in the eighth race July 25, the $100,000 Lucky Coin Stakes going  5 1/2 furlongs on the turf.

We began with two Midlantic-breds, but one, Maryland-bred Night Officer, is scratched, leaving us with one.

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott brings a highly regarded Virginia-bred, Long On Value, to try and capture the $100,000 purse. This five-year-old horse is owned by Wachtel Stable and George J. Kerr, and is by Value Plus – Long Message, by Orientate.   He was bred by Snow Lantern Thoroughbreds.  This horse will be guided by jockey Joel Rosario and perhaps will have the advantage of familiarity.  His prior Spa visits include his races in the Grade 1 Hopeful in 2013 and the Grade 2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes, so he certainly won’t be outclassed. Long On Value has morning line odds of 6/1.

Possibly a wager on him will fill your pocket with lucky coins.