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Spa selections 2019: Saratoga August 22

by | Aug 21, 2019 | Breaking, Handicapping

Pret Say Eye

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 – Grade I New York Turf Writer’s Cup Handicap

1. #5 Gibralfaro (9-2) – This jockey trainer duo has struggle this meet, but has been good this year, and was close to Winston C last race

2. #8 Hinterland (6-1) – Might have had a better chance at taking down Winston C last race with more distance which he gets here, plus has a hot jockey trainer duo

3. #2 Winston C (4-5) – His first race at Saratoga was a resounding success, and a repeat of that performance should be enough to handle these

Race 4 – Alw 50000s

1. #4 Derby Memories (6-5) – Plenty of questions in this field and a likely sloppy track means this favorite owned by Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey should go wire to wire

2. #5 Grit and Glory (7-2) – A stalking trip is this geldings best chance, as he needs to sit off of Derby Memories and hope to pick up the pieces in the stretch

3. #6 Soul Fight (10-1) – Should get a nice number on the board and may like the slop a bit more than Claytnthelionheart

Race 8 – OC 40000n2x

1. #4 Shamrock Kid (8-1) – Seems to like the slop and should improve with the stretch out in distance and could control the race

2. #2 Fiery Opal (3-1) – Won his first try at Saratoga in July, only to go back to Parx two weeks ago; now returns after a Monmouth work just five days ago

3. #1 Calculated Risker (4-1) – This five year old horse by Into Mischief seems to love the slop, but this distance could be a tad too far and he will need to be involved early

Race 9 – Riskaverse Stakes

1. #8 New and Improved (6-1) – Probably won’t get these odds with these connections, but still telling that Castellano took this mount over Catch a Bid

2. #9 Xanthique (15-1) – Tough field where anyone can win, and long shots such as Passing Quality deserve a play but this filly should be a big number and likes softer turf

3. #6 Catch a Bid (7-5) – Should win based on last effort where she lost to Lake Placid co-winner Varenka by a neck