Spa selections 2019: Saratoga August 30
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 4 – OC 100000b
1. #5 Vici (3-1) – Should be able to control this race, goes back to dirt and stays at six furlongs, plus has been barely beaten by some classy stakes winners and could handle this field
2. #1 Wonderful Light (2-1) – Will sit off leaders and should be there late at a distance that this horse has never finished out of the money in
3. #2 Earned Success (5-1) – Classic Rock likely wins if he reverts to form after a year-long layoff, but a nice number with this Chad Brown and Klaravich gelding is worth a play
Race 5 – Alw 50000s
1. #3 Bramble Queen (8-1) – A little too much speed here sets up for this filly from mid pack who should run well here with Jose Lezcano
2. #4 Arch of Troy (3-1) – Can sit off of leaders and drops from a Grade III plus picks up Irad Ortiz in the irons
3. #1 Dream Passage (7-5) – Having some speed to contend with here like Call Me Kayla could hurt, but this filly was game last time in a narrow loss and could change her style
Race 8 – Alw 80000n1x
1. #2 A Little Faith (3-1) – Should find her perfect distance here at a mile, and will win with a nice stalking trip
2. #7 Niko’s Dream (7-2) – Comes from two stakes races that she nearly won, and is due for a breakthrough win here with a good closing kick
3. #3 Heartstrings (20-1) – Chiclet’s Dream should come in the money, but has struggled to win, and this filly stretches with a better post than Hit a Provisional
Race 10 – Lucky Coin Stakes
1. #5 Final Frontier (9-2) – A good stalking trip off of a slew of front runners should allow for Jose Lezcano to take over late with this colt
2. #3 Disco Partner (8-5) – Has the class as well as the closing running style which may come in handy if the three expected speeds create a hot pace
3. #1 Fig Jelly (8-1) – Has finished second a lot, but picks up Javier Castellano for trainer Jason Servis, and can win here with the right scenario
