Spa selections 2021: Saratoga picks July 23

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 – Alw 90000n1x

1. #7 Judge N Jury (5-1) – First time gelding and lasix might not like the added half furlong, but improved greatly last time and has the most speed and upside here

2. #6 Big Bobby (8-5) – Comes off a layoff after a strong effort but may have taken well to the muddy surface, still has a good jockey trainer combo

3. #3 Quickflash (5-1) – Six second place finishes in twelve career tries and consistency finishing in the money makes this one a solid play to hit the board

Race 9 – Grade III Lake George Stakes

1. #2 Runaway Rumour (6-1) – This filly by Flintshire is three for three with an incredibly strong closing kick and could be good value in a more experienced and even field

2. #10 Minaun (6-1) – Chad Brown is off to a slow start, but has three entries here, with this one being his longest shot but offering good value and should improve after a troubled trip last time

3. #5 Jouster (7-2) – Will try to go wire to wire which may be tough here, but usually maxes out at a mile and will need to control the pace early to have a good stretch run

Race 10 – MC 40000

1. #1 Thrill (9-5) – Hasn’t run since last year here, but his last race is the best of this field dropping from maiden company seems to be the best in the field

2. #3 Epicurean (5-1) – Irad Ortiz rides this filly for Wesley Ward who he has a good percentage with, and could be a decent price after two distant third place finishes

3. #6 Closertotheheart (6-1) – Cuts back to a distance more suitable for her, but still probably isn’t likely to win even though she could hit the board

LATEST HANDICAPPING