Spa selections 2019: Saratoga July 24

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 1 – Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes

1. #7 Elucidation (8-1) – Had a solid try last time after a long layoff, and stretching back out to his preferred distance should help this five year old improve

2. #9 Sportswear (7-2) – Winner of his last two and likely favorite, having recently won both races over two miles after being winless in five tries

3. #1 Redician (4-1) – First time Lasix and first time racing in North America for this gelding looking for his first win this year

Race 7 – New York Stallion Series Stakes

1. #9 Funny Guy (3-1) – Bet to favorite last time and narrowly lost to Rinaldi, but the distance stretch should allow this colt by Big Brown to close into some front-runners

2. #5 Blindwillie McTell (4-1) – Along with Six Percent, this dirt to turfer is intriguing, having been the post-time favorite in his last three tries, and already with some stakes wins on the dirt

3. #3 Rinaldi (7-2) – Could play some nice numbers such as Albie, but this gelding’s last try is too good to overlook, where he bested three others in this field

Race 8 – Grade II Honorable Miss Handicap

1. #2 Chalon (5-2) – Has not finished worse than second in the last two years, and Javier Castellano should have her sitting just off the leaders for a prime move late

2. #6 Ours to Run (7-2) – Could consider playing Honey Bunny, but assuming the pace isn’t that fast, this mare is in too good of form to overlook with no losses on dirt in the last two years

3. #4 Mia Mischief (7-5) – Might be a bit overbet and is certainly beatable here, but still has good class and will win if she sits off soft fractions of Minit to Stardom