Spa selections 2019: Saratoga August 31
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 – Grade II Prioress Stakes
1. #5 Royal Charlotte (4-1) – Despite a tough go in the Test, this filly is still a Grade III winner and has every chance to try and close into Break Even if Break Curfew weakens her early
2. #3 Break Even (1-2) – Has yet to lose in six tries, and will win here if she gets away easy but could also try sitting off Break Curfew
3. #2 Risky Mandate (3-1) – Jose Ortiz rides this filly who has been working tremendously and wins with a clean stalking trip and a collapsing Break Even
Race 6 – Grade III Saranac Stakes
1. #4 Global Access (9-2) – Two close thirds in back to back turf tries could turn into a win here with some added distance to close into and some pace up front
2. #2 Good Governance (2-1) – Looks to close and improve off his win first time out, and also hopes for Power Player and Rinaldi to battle in the front
3. #5 Tracksmith (7-2) – This colt by Street Sense has won his last two, and adds Javier Castellano after Sharp’s top rider Saez takes the inside speed
Race 9 – Alw 92000n1x
1. #1 Hallawallah (4-1) – The inside post should help this filly improve from last time, and she drops from a Grade III plus gets a distance cutback
2. #2 Proximity Bias (5-2) – This likely favorite has the connections in Chad Brown and Klaravich Stables, but will need to come from mid pack to have a chance
3. #3 Arrifana (7-2) – Some solid long shots in this tough race like Dating Game and Brucia La Terra can be played, but this filly by Curlin has a bit more promise
Race 10 – Grade II Glens Falls Stakes
1. #8 Night of England (12-1) – Can play Get Explicit as another longshot play, but this other Brown trainee has some versatility to control the race or come from the back
2. #4 Santa Monica (2-1) – Has had some issues winning, especially in her tries at Saratoga, but still the class of this race
3. #2 Fools Gold (5-2) – Ran well and got a great trip last time out in the Waya, and can win again with a similar stalking effort in a slight distance cut back she should prefer
Race 11 – Grade I Woodward Stakes
1. #5 Preservationist (7-2) – If Junior Alvarado can settle this six year old down early behind the two front runners, he should have a good chance to take over in the stretch
2. #7 Yoshida (5-2) – Won this race with Rosario last year, and with a few who like to control, his closing style may be better suited than it was in the Whitney
3. #3 Vino Rosso (7-2) – Play Wooderson as a longshot, but removing blinkers on this colt by Curlin gives him a chance for his long-awaited breakthrough effort at Saratoga
