Spa selections 2019: Saratoga August 10

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 6 – 92000n1x

1. #5 Catch a Thrill (3-1) – Might do better with a bit softer surface, but in this tightly contested group, this Casse trainee should be able to close from mid pack into some pace

2. #4 Turf War (7-2) – Jose Ortiz and Chad Brown are too good together to ignore, and this filly was flying down the stretch in her last try and can will here with an earlier move 

3. #7 Saint Moon (5-2) – Good jockey trainer combo and the best speed in the race, but with others vying for the lead, it may be hard for this grey filly to hang on

Race 8 – Grade II Saratoga Special Stakes

1. #2 Zyramid (5-1) – Unlike others, this colt has a win over this track, and likely didn’t like the mud in his first try plus will be sitting off leaders early 

2. #3 Green Light (2-1) – Holding off the two to his outside as well as Iberico will be vital, but this colt by Hard Spun has the most speed here

3. #1 Noose (4-1) – Ran closest to this distance of anyone last time, and might be able to take advantage of a hot pace along with Peruvian Boy

Race 9 – Grade I Fourstardave Handicap

1. #3 Uni (5-2) – Maybe just a bit too good and in too good of form to beat, as this mare has won five in a row at a mile with varying pace and trip circumstances

2. #8 Hembree (8-1) – Almost always game, despite a troubling trend of seconditis, but should definitely be used in exotic plays here

3. #6 Got Stormy (6-1) – Can’t ignore Raging Bull, or potential wire jobs like Dr. Edgar and Gidu on a dry turf course, but this filly won convincingly a week ago meaning she is in good form 

Race 10 – Alw 92000n1x

1. #2 Graceful Princess (7-2) – Possesses the most speed in this race and will like the cutback to six furlongs being the most likely to wire this field

2. #4 La Chancla (5-2) – This race certainly seems to set up for this closer by Uncle Mo who keeps Jose Ortiz in the irons

3. #5 Diamond Crazy (12-1) – Slimey is a must play if the track is sloppy, but should get a nice price here coming from a maiden claimer and can close with a hot pace like last time