Spa selections 2018: Saratoga August 31

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 4 – OC 80000b

1. #6 Rymska (6-5) – Has won her last three as the post time favorite all this year, and should benefit from a slightly softer turf course than in past weeks

2. #4 Malibu Stacy (4-1) – Not as much class as the others, but should control the pace and has a chance to wire

3. #5 Penjade (2-1) – Didn’t run particularly well last time, but with a layoff and class drop, this Chad Brown trainee should improve

Race 8 – Alw 87000n1x

1. #8 Treasure in Heaven (10-1) – Filly by Street Sense was bet to a heavy favorite last time out and won; she should be sitting off the leaders and take over late

2. #3 Catoria (8-1) – Layla has shown a bit more speed in the past, but needs to break well so take this filly who has won at Saratoga

3. #10 Dancing All Night (2-1) – Always involved, but only one win in six tries; this could be the race that this grey mare finally breaks through

Race 9 – Lucky Coin Stakes

1. #3 Rocket Heat (5-1) – Beating Bold Thunder and Pocket Change at the break will be key, but a recent win at Saratoga and a good record at this distance means he should be played

2. #8 Pocket Change (7-5) – The clear favorite who breaks from the outside post and should improve coming off races against higher tiers Voodoo Song and Disco Partner

3. #7 Extravagant Kid (3-1) – Just seems to be in a bit better form than Big Rock, having narrowly lost at this distance in a hot pace last time