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Spa selections: Saratoga August 18

by | Aug 18, 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 Skidmore Stakes!

Race 1 – OC 25000n1x

  1. #3 Pinchbeck (3-1) – Should have enough to handle stretch in distance and won her only race with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons
  2. #1 Table for Six (2-1) – One of the worst cases of seconditis I’ve seen, having not won in two years
  3. #9 Tiz a Kitten (8-1) – A little disconcerting to see Ramsey’s let this filly be claimed, but gets edge over Two Penny Princess with two solid wins this year

Race 4 – Skidmore Stakes

  1. #6 Dial One (7-2) – Returns to turf and enters off a stakes placing for owner Robert Lapenta
  2. #7 El Dulce (5-2) – Pletcher two year old with John Velazquez is all you need to know
  3. #1 Mentality (3-1) – Would be tough for Nauti Boy to repeat win at Laurel, so edge goes to this filly for trainer Wesley Ward who is running against the guys

Race 6 – Alw 85000n1x

  1. #6 Lucullan (5-2) – Stretch in distance is what this colt by Hard Spun needs to win
  2. #1 Don’t Over Look (10-1) – Yet to run at Saratoga, but is consistently in the money and seems to run well at this distance
  3. #7 Harlan Strong (9-2) – Dropping out of a stakes race and had an impressive win at Churchill Downs two months ago

Race 9 – OC 62500n2x

  1. #6 Wild About Harry (7-2) – Maybe not in her best form, but has won all four career races with Javier Castellano
  2. #4 Miss Katie Mae (5-2) – Will most likely come from back of pack, but needs to break better than last time to win
  3. #9 Eila (3-1) – Give Rumble Doll some play here, but this four-year-old filly can go to front and wire field with right fractions