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Spa selections 2020: Saratoga picks July 17

by | Jul 16, 2020 | Breaking, Handicapping

Ginger N Rye

Ginger N Rye won the 2017 Smart N Fancy Stakes at Saratoga. Photo by Chelsea Durand/NYRA.

by Joseph Aiello

In Spa Selections, Saratoga on-site correspondent Joseph Aiello provides Saratoga picks for a handful of key races at Saratoga, including all of the exciting stakes action!

Race 6 – Alw 64000n1x

1. #8 Big Thicket (8-5) – The best by default in this mediocre field, but can certainly lose although Irad Ortiz should have this horse in a good stalking position

2. #7 Vintage Hollywood (7-2) – This five year old gelding showed solid form going shorter two back, so a distance cutback could be enough to lead to some improvement

3. #2 Coach Villa (8-1) – Gets a plus for running against open company, and should be in the mix at a decent price

Race 7 – De La Rose Stakes

1. #1 Catch a Bid (9-2) – Brutal field here, so take this Brown trainee on top who has shown some versatility in her running style

2. #3 Passing Out (7-2) – Ran well against Rushing Fall last time out, and will be closing late with Clara Peters if Blowout provides enough pace

3. #4 Clara Peters (5-1) – Blowout faces a tough outside post and likes to be in front, which may set up for this impressive closer stepping up in class

Race 8 – OC 62500n2x

1. #4 Lost Ticket (6-1) – Got some pace to run into last time, but the distance cut-back clearly led to improvement which could be enough to beat a group of under-achievers

2. #3 Lady Lawyer (3-5) – This Brown trainee has yet to win on the turf, but a good stalking trip and repeat of last race should be good enough to win here

3. #6 Turf War (3-1) – Coming off a long layoff and loses Chad Brown, but her best can lead to a strong closing kick into the money or winner’s circle

Race 9 – Shine Again Stakes

1. #2 Risky Mandate (9-2) – Has been training well and should get the pace to run into here at a decent price

2. #6 Joy Epifora (12-1) – Seemingly always in the mix and has good back-class coming from South America, plus adding Jose Ortiz never hurts

3. #5 Indian Pride (6-5) – Broke her maiden impressively last year at Saratoga, but may be a bit too close to what could be a hot pace