Spa selections 2019: Saratoga July 11

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 – OC 40000n2x

1. #1 Dynamite Kitten (15-1) – A lack of pace in this race means this filly could sit off leaders and pounce late as others try to come from too far behind

2. #4 Giant Zinger (7-5) – Mott trainee will be bet pure for class drop, but hasn’t been winning and will need slow fractions to control the race and wire

3. #10 Wegetsdamunnys (6-1) – Gets slight edge over War Canoe because of drop in class and terrific effort at Spa last year where she was narrowly nosed at the wire

Race 8 – Grade III Schuylerville Stakes

1. #1 Shippy (2-1) – A dominant ten length victory was the best of this field, and a repeat performance should land this filly in the winner’s circle

2. #8 Aurelia Garland (3-1) – Starting in a one-hundred thousand maiden is a plus, and keeping the same jockey is and advantage most others here don’t have

3. #5 Comical (5-1) – The “other” O’Niell trainee was nearly as impressive as Shippy in her slightly classier victory at Santa Anita, albeit at four and a half furlongs

Race 9 – Grade III Quick Call Stakes

1. #4 Listing (4-1) – Ran one of the more impressive tries last time out, picks up Rosario in the irons, and has a versatile running style which may come in handy with a few vying for the front

2. #6 Call Paul (5-2) – The most likely of the dirt to turfers, this colt owned by Michael Dubb is the most accomplished and wouldn’t have tried turf first time for no reason

3. #2 Elektronic (10-1) – Abyssinian has much more class and can’t be ignored as a top speed in this race, but the Lezcano and Rice combination will have this colt ready for a step up