Spa selections 2019: Saratoga August 1

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. #3 Broken Border (3-1) – Beat a few of the others in her last try, and this seven year old mare is in sound form with Manny Franco returning

2. #5 Blue Atlas (6-1) – May need a bit more pace to run into than is present, but adds Ricardo Santana and has been solid recently

3. #8 Maiden Beauty (12-1) – Lovely La La has the connections, but likely needs to control the lead with soft fractions, meaning take a flier on this first time turfer

Race 8 – OC 62500n2x

1. #1 Mighty Scarlett (8-5) – Part of the entry who has won in her only try at the Spa and is two for three at this distance

2. #5 My Sister Nat (6-5) – Brown trainee closed impressively in her first race in North America, and should continue to improve here as the likely favorite

3. #2 Call Me Kayla (8-1) – Ferdinanda always finishes second, and Red Curls is live but cheap, so take this filly by Quality Road who will try to take them all the way around

Race 9 – Birdstone Stakes

1. #8 Rocketry (9-5) – Not an ideal try last time out, but has won at this distance and is certainly ready to pass Marconi one of these times

2. #1 Marconi (8-5) – Has beaten Rocketry three times, including finishing ahead of him in the Grade II Suburban, but will need no pressure and soft fractions to hold on here

3. #6 King Zachary (8-1) – Third Day isn’t ready for this distance despite the class, and Turco Bravo is capable yet cheap, so look here for this Travers runner who should like the distance