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Spa selections: Saratoga July 26

by | Jul 26, 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, including all of the exciting stakes action!

Race 1 – Grade I A. P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase Handicap

  1. #6 Personal Start (9-2) – Won last three in a row including most recent Grade II try with same jockey
  2. #2 Modem (9-5) – Run in five straight Grade I races including here last year, but has finished second every time so take him in the money
  3. #1 Iranistan (3-1) – Not the classiest of this field, but has consistently finished well and has won last four in a row

Race 3 – OC 62500n2x

  1. #4 Quality Time (7-2) – Ran well in a close loss last time, should run well on the softer turf surface after earlier rain, and keeps Castellano in the irons
  2. #7 Black Canary (9-5) – Filly with Jose Ortiz likes this track and this shorter distance, but breaking well will be crucial
  3. #8 Overnegotiate (5-1) – Should find a way to hit the board and will adjust well to distance drop; will be hoping for solid front end pace

Race 6 – Alw 90000n1x

  1. #6 Tigalalu (5-2) – Three year old by Curlin won impressively last time out and has the most inclination to go this distance unless the pace heats up
  2. #5 Indy Union (7-2) – Should see improvement just based on the class drop from the Grade II Mother Goose, and should at least find a way on the board
  3. #4 Alberobello (2-1) – Questions with others and the pace reliance of Land Mine leave this Pletcher Velazquez filly by Bernardini

Race 9 – John Morrissey Stakes

  1. #3 Long Haul Bay (3-1) – Colt by Quality Road will be sitting off the pace and in the right spot to pounce in the stretch
  2. #7 Gold for the King (3-1) – Will be on the lead with Eye Luv Lulu, but has a better chance to hang on in a pace battle
  3. #5 Eye Luv Lulu (5-2) – Runaway Lute probably has a better chance to steal this race, but this Servis trainee should hang on for third