Spa selections 2018: Saratoga August 16

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 3 – Union Avenue Stakes

1. #5 Picco Uno (4-5) – Will win unless she goes out too fast, but is the best in this small field and in good form

2. #4 Bonita Bianca (3-1) – Next best bet to favorite last two races and should be sitting off the leader with a chance to move late

3. #2 Swing and Sway (7-2) – Unlike others, this filly has run in open stakes races and has two wins this year, but probably prefers a sloppy track

Race 7 – Clm 50000n3L

1. #3 Bon Raison (15-1) – Definitely worth a play at this price having seemingly found his race last time with a dominant win; a bit cheap though and Pletcher gave up on him

2. #5 Hollywood Handsome (4-1) – No excuses this time for this four year old colt who ran in the Belmont last year and has the most class in the field

3. #4 Tapsolute (6-1) – Admiral Blue might end up as favorite, but he seems to have an affinity for the mud and the jockey trainer combo on this colt has been tough to ignore this year

Race 8 – OC 80000n1x

1. #4 Emmy Performance (8-1) – Drops from an allowance and has been solid in three tries; will need a decent pace to close into

2. #7 Altea (5-2) – Most likely winner coming out of five straight Grade III races, just seems to have trouble winning

3. #1 Data Dependent (6-1) – Other Chad Brown filly has solid back class and Javier Castellano staying on with some nice tries on her recently