Spa selections 2021: Saratoga picks July 18

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 8 – OC 45000n2x

1. #7 Betsy Blue (4-1) – After running second in her first try, this filly has won four straight, although she could be the beneficiary of adjusting well to muddy tracks, still the most consistent

2. #3 Pleasure Luck (3-1) – Comes out of an allowance win and should be fine with the shorter distance, plus has his the board in all six tries

3. #8 Awesome Debate (5-2) – Will be dueling with Diva Banker early, and outside of a tough stakes loss two back, this grey mare has always been in the mix in the stretch

Race 9 – Coronation Cup Stakes

1. #5 Bye Bye (5-1) – Has won a grade III at seven furlongs, will be better shorter and coming from right off the leaders with the dangerous duo of Rosario and Clement on the turf

2. #4 Goin’ Good (5-2) – Three for five at the distance and has never finished more than a length and a quarter behind the winner, should definitely be in the mix late

3. #3 Honey Pants (4-1) – Has run her best at shorter distance, and with a couple who will pressure Wink early for likely hot fractions, an off the pace style looks good here

Race 10 – MC 20000

1. #7 Shining Colors (7-2) – At the very least, this filly has been competitive in nearly every start, with two narrow losses in back to back races so she should be in the mix here

2. #10 Before You (6-5) – Hasn’t even been close after an encouraging debut, but hopefully a switch back to dirt and a drop in class will lead to improvement

3. #4 Dearest Kitten (9-2) – Switches to dirt for the first time and improved last time out, but may need a different running style to compete here

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