Spa selections 2018: Saratoga August 18

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 7 – Alw 77000n1x

1. #3 Hollywood Cat (3-1) – Will sit off of Lovely La La and take over in the stretch; would prefer a dry track though

2. #8 Lovely La La (2-1) – Slight distance stretch and will probably need to wire with pressure from Courageous Change, but the most impressive last time out

3. #4 Way Smart (7-2) – Rajiv Maragh will need to have this filly sit off the leaders by three to four lengths, then time his move well to win

Race 8 – Grade II Lake Placid Stakes

1. #1 Thewayiam (7-2) – A bit unlucky in her last few starts, coming second three times in a row, but should like this distance more than others and drops from a Grade I

2. #6 Rushing Fall (9-5) – Hopes for a soft pace and a soft surface, but distance might be a tad far for this Brown trainee

3. #4 Significant Form (3-1) – Really a four filly battle with these three and Daddy Is a Legend, but this filly gets the slight edge being bet to favorite in her last three

Race 9 – Grade I Alabama Stakes

1. #3 Midnight Bisou (7-5) – No Monomoy Girl, Wonder Gadot, or Red Ruby means this filly should win

2. #7 Coach Rocks (10-1) – Needs to be sitting off the leaders instead of up front if she wants a chance, but this filly by Oxbow should be game with enough pace

3. #4 She’s a Julie (9-2) – The other Asmussen filly could be sneaky here coming off a solid effort in the Iowa Oaks, take her over Eskimo Kisses and Auspicious Babe at a price