Spa selections 2021: Saratoga picks July 28

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 1 – Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes

1. #6 A Silent Player (6-1) – Won on a soft surface last time and seems to be trending in the right direction, plus has consistently finished in his career

2. #3 The Mean Queen (6-5) – This five year old mare has two wins in two career starts, plus a strong closing effort after starting well behind last time out

3. #4 Fast Car (7-2) – Has maybe his best effort here last year, and despite recent struggles at the stakes level, is the only one who has won at this distance

Race 3 – New York Stallion Series Stakes

1. #6 Step Dancer (2-1) – Was more impressive than Ocala Dream last time out coming from ninth to nearly win, and gets an added furlong here plus broke his maiden at Saratoga

2. #4 Ocala Dream (9-5) – Winner of his last two after switching to a more forwardly-placed running style, and certainly has enough talent to beat this group

3. #2 It’s Gravy (12-1) – In the money in seven of nine starts, and despite not having his best effort last time in a switch to turf, keeping Rosario and stretching out bodes well for this gelding

Race 7 – OC 100000n3x

1. #5 Passing Out (5-2) – Hasn’t run since September, but this mare by Orb showed some strong efforts last year including a third to Rushing Fall in the Grade III Beaugay at Belmont

2. #6 Tamahere (8-5) – Could be over-bet because of the connections, but comes out of four graded tries and three grade I races, and despite inconsistency, good enough to win here

3. #9 Witez (8-1) – Might prefer to go a bit further, but has been a solid finisher on the turf, routinely hitting the board at solid prices, so take a play here

Race 9 – Grade II Honorable Miss Handicap

1. #9 Bell’s The One (7-5) – Might not be great value, but the class of the field who is four for four at this distance and should win if she gets a good break

2. #4 Lake Avenue (9-2) – The next best who gets a much needed cutback to six furlongs, has seemed to improve this year and is a good play to possibly upset the favorite

3. #1 Ain’t No Elmers (6-1) – Coming off a career effort where she went wire to wire at this distance in optional claiming company, can surprise and hold on in the money with the right trip

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