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Spa selections: Saratoga July 21

by | Jul 21, 2018 | Breaking, Handicapping

Pret Say Eye

Pret Say Eye was antsy early, strong late for trainer Lacey Gaudet (left) at Saratoga in 2016. 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 Lucky Coin Stakes!

Race 7 – OC 80000b

  1. #8 Rocketry (5-2) – Won here last year and is two for two at the distance; dropping from a two mile Grade II try
  2. #1 Call Provision (2-1) – Seems to finish close but not first and should be a good bet to at least come in the money
  3. #7 Silverware (3-1) – Patterson Cross might be a better choice at the right price, but this other Brown trainee is coming from a strong Grade I try three weeks back

Race 8 – Alw 87000 n1x

  1. #2 First Appeal (4-1) – Good jockey trainer combo and a strong record at the distance and over this track
  2. #3 Really Proud (7-2) – Should find her way into the money for trainer Christophe Clement and has good running style to pounce in stretch run
  3. #10 Battle Joined (6-1) – Romantic Babe has a chance to close late if this filly runs the same hot fractions as last time, but take a chance here instead assuming a decent break

Race 9 – Grade 3 Sanford Stakes

  1. #4 Whiskey Echo (8-1) – Dark Brown colt by Tiznow was impressive in his three length June win and adding lasix is another plus
  2. #1 Sombeyay (2-1) – Velazquez drew the other Pletcher mount, but this colt runs down others in hot pace duel
  3. #2 Lexitonian (3-1) – Bano Solo deserves some play here, but Pletcher and Velazquez have too good a track record with this race to be overlooked

Race 10 – Grade 1 Diana Stakes

  1. #2 Proctor’s Ledge (4-1) – So close last time in the Just A Game stakes and has won in both tries at Saratoga; a solid break is critical but most likely means a win
  2. #1 Sistercharlie (9-5) – Crazy run in the Grade II New York in June saw this Brown trainee start second to last by twenty-seven only to lose by a head
  3. #6 A Raving Beauty (2-1) – With New Money Honey likely a bit past her prime and War Canoe more likely to show than win, this third Brown entry seems to be the obvious choice here