Spa selections 2019: Saratoga August 15

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 3 – OC 80000b

1. #2 Plainsman (2-1) – A bit cheaper than these, but clearly in top form coming from a Grade III victory, and should sit off two leaders winning in stretch

2. #1 Uncontested (7-2) – No Dozing and Tale of Silence aren’t in top form, so this horse will try to win the race on the lead uncontested, and will do so if he gets little pressure from Lenstar

3. #4 Tale of Silence (5-2) – No Dozing needs to fire early and hasn’t been good recently, so this horse gets a plus dropping from a Grade I against Mitole and ran well here last year

Race 7 – Alw 80000n1x

1. #10 Silencia (9-2) – This grey filly is most likely to break and have the lead, and has run well on the turf compared to some others here

2. #11 Beaux Arts (3-1) – Has finished second in all four tries this year, having failed to win the past two years, but should find her way into the money on a dry turf course

3. #1 Andretta (7-2) – Not to be confused with Andarta, who needs to break to win, this mare by Freud also has seconditis, but Jose Ortiz has won all three tries for James Bond this meet

Race 8 – Union Avenue Stakes

1. #2 Bonita Bianca (9-2) – Doesn’t seem to be running as well as last year, but the distance cutback could give this mare by Curlin her second win since winning this race last year

2. #1 Holiday Disguise (5-2) – Has the most class of this field and the right running style, with plenty of speed to close into here

3. #6 Carerra Cat (9-2) – Of the speeds, this filly is the most consistent breaking from the gate and should hang on to come in the money