Spa selections 2018: Saratoga August 10

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 6 – Alw 77000n1x

1. #6 Elios Milos (5-2) – Just a little better than the field, but certainly no lock; will need some pace to close into seeing that this colt ran better from the back of the pack in his first try

2. #7 Candy Zip (10-1) – Rough start last time in the slop, but still plenty of upside and a good price if this Rivelli trainee can revert to his form two back

3. #4 Leap to Glory (8-1) – Consider Formal Start here with a good race last time, but this gelding might have shown the most speed of this field with a wire to wire victory last month

Race 7 – OC 62500n2x

1. #2 La Manta Gris (6-1) – Drops from a Grade III and deserves a play here at a solid price over this field

2. #1 Empressof the Nile (8-5) – Obvious favorite and most likely dropping from Grade II where she broke twenty four lengths back to only lose by six

3. #6 Bengala (4-1) – Could see a scenario like her last try where she controlled the pace with leading jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.

Race 9 – Tale of the Cat Stakes

1. #3 Silver Ride (5-2) – Will allow the leaders to tire while sitting off, then should make a charge in the stretch run

2. #1 My Boy Tate (6-5) – Has won his last five races, but might have an affinity for the mud and isn’t the fastest here

3. #5 Always Sunshine (3-1) – Mr. Crow gets an edge on a fast track, but this six year old horse has been solid as of late and good at this distance