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Spa selections: Saratoga August 17

by | Aug 17, 2017 | Breaking, Handicapping

Pret Say Eye

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 including the Union Avenue Stakes!

Race 3 – OC 62500n2x

  1. #3 Thebigfundamental (9-5) – Another Velazquez and Pletcher favorite who should win convincingly
  2. #4 Securitiz (5-2) – Has a tendency to finish second, most famously running second two years ago at the Spa to Jess’s Dream in his only start
  3. #5 Sail Ahoy (5-1) – Take a shot with this gelding by Bernardini due to his ability to close in stretch if Thebigfundamental goes out too quick

Race 6 – Alw 85000n1x

  1. #2 Magnifier (5-1) – Javier Castellano rides for his brother on a gelding that is returning to the distance and surface on which he has performed best
  2. #5 Classic Cotton (8-1) – Offers a chance of wiring field as long as he isn’t pressed too hard by the two to his inside and beats them to the front
  3. #1 Beasley (9-5) – Has run against Tapwrit most recently, and should see big improve with drop in class

Race 7 – OC 80000n1x

  1. #4 Summer Luck (5-2) – Casse trainee has run against much better in her career, so drop down in class and stretch in distance should help filly improve
  2. #1 Taperge (2-1) – Castellano leaves mount for Summer Luck, but this filly by Tapit is still best in field and most likely if pace is hot enough for closing
  3. #10 Initiate (4-1) – Can possibly steal race if she gets soft enough fractions in a field with no distance experience

Race 8 – Union Avenue Stakes

  1. #5 Clipthecouponannie (6-1) – Consistently bet to favorite and should rebound from tough loss in the mud
  2. #2 Hot City Girl (6-1) – Won this race last year, and this five-year-old mare will win if she is able to repeat that trip
  3. #9 Picco Uno (8-1) – Filly by Macho Uno can sit off a hot pace, but will have to fend off other closers like morning line favorite Quezon and She’s All Ready