Spa selections: Saratoga July 29

Pret Say Eye was antsy early, strong late for trainer Lacey Gaudet (left) at Saratoga last year. Photo by Teresa Genaro.

by Joseph Aiello

In Spa Selections, Saratoga on-site correspondent Joseph Aiello provides picks for a handful of key races at Saratoga. Today, it’s the seventh through ninth, including the $100,000 Curlin Stakes.

Race 5 – Grade II Amsterdam Stakes

1. #6 Toga Challenger (7-2) – Likely pace battle sets up well for leading jockey Irad Ortiz
2. #2 Coal Front (7-5) – May be pushed too fast by Mo Cash, but past two 100 speed figures show the talent for this colt from the Pletcher barn
3. #5 Excitations (8-1) – Six-and-a-half could be distance this colt has been looking for and gets jockey upgrade

Race 8 – Grade I Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap

1. #8 Limousine Liberal (3-1) – Seems to be in better form than A.P. Indian and could stalk pace then sneak by at wire
2. #4 A.P Indian (5-2) – Clear best who won this race last year, but doesn’t seem to be at top of his game
3. #6 Ready for Rye (12-1) – If pace is hot, look for this five-year-old gelding to close

Race 9 – Grade II Bowling Green Stakes

1. #1 Bigger Picture (7-2) – Ran huge last time out, and has most experience at this distance of the bunch
2. #7 Ascend (8-5) – Can’t go wrong with this Motion trainee who showed he has the endurance to go this far last month in the GI Manhattan
3. #4 Sadler’s Joy (3-1) – This four-year-old colt gets edge over Frank Conversation due to experience at Saratoga

Race 10 – Grade II Jim Dandy Stakes

1. #1 Always Dreaming (1-1) – If Derby version shows up, this Pletcher colt should wire field
2. #2 Cloud Computing (6-5) – Uncertainty with Always Dreaming could allow colt from Brown barn to repeat Preakness victory
3. #5 Good Samaritan (12-1) – In the case of an unlikely speed duel or poor performances from the favorites, jockey Joel Rosario could guide this three-year-old past the field in the stretch