Spa selections 2019: Saratoga July 28

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 9 – Alw 50000s

1. #9 Discretionary Marq (8-1) – Turf has been playing to speed, and this gelding has plenty of it, plus is in good form with a recent bullet workout

2. #10 Maniacal (10-1) – With a few including Macho Blue likely contributing to hot fractions, this stalker should be in prime position to take over

3. #5 Pagliacci (3-1) – Despite closers having a tough time recently, Macho Blue might make this one too hot up front to hold, meaning this Rice trainee can close

Race 10 – OC 25000n1x

1. #5 Romantic Pursuit (10-1) – Took a few tries to break maiden, but certainly liked the added distance and could try and take them all the way around with Night of England

2. #7 Night of England (7-2) – Comes off long layoff, but will win if she is in good form for trainer Chad Brown and gets good fractions

3. #3 Dyna Passer (4-1) – Could consider So Charming here as well, but this filly by Lemon Drop Kid comes from a Grade I and is the only one to win at this distance

Race 11 – Grade II Amsterdam Stakes

1. #6 Nitrous (4-1) – Drops from Grade I that he nearly won, and should have some pace to close into in this race

2. #8 Garter and Tie (10-1) – Won his only try at this distance, and is more fresh than Wendell Fong, who hasn’t run since early June

3. #3 Super Comet (8-1) – Classy John might compromise Shancelot enough in front so that this undefeated colt is able to control the race in the stretch run