Spa selections 2020: Saratoga picks September 2

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!

Looking for the picks for September 3? Click here!

Race 8 – OC 40000n2x

1. #5 Our Last Buck (8-5) – Extra distance shouldn’t be an issue and has been in the best form of this field so far this year

2. #4 Evaluator (6-1) – Ran a decent third last time out on the turf after a long layoff, but a return to the dirt with this gelding’s decent back-class give him a chance here

3. #1 Freaky Styley (9-2) – Closed slow last time, but with Joel Rosario and a bit more distance, this colt should be right at home in this race

Race 9 – Grade III With Anticipation Stakes

1. #1 Blame the Booze (9-2) – Ran last time on a sloppy dirt track, but the switch to turf for Wesley Ward shouldn’t be a problem for this gelding

2. #2 American Monarch (7-5) – This colt by American Pharoah won last time out, albeit with slow fractions, but will still likely be the one to beat here

3. #5 Fire at Will (7-2) – This Maker trainee didn’t finish strong last time against American Monarch, but has been training well and should see improvement in his second start

Race 10 – MC 40000

1. #8 Bricco (2-1) – This gelding has finished second in three straight, but has the right closing style in a group here that could set solid fractions

2. #9 Selfmade (4-1) – Has improved with the switch to turf, and can win here with a well-timed ride by Junior Alvarado and the right set up

3. #3 Justintimeforwine (8-1) – This three year old colt will likely be involved with the leaders, and despite consistently fading in the stretch, may be able to hold on in the money

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