Spa selections 2021: Saratoga picks August 5

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 7 – Alw 50000s

1. #9 Life On Top (7-2) – Only two wins in eleven starts, but still could be a good play if the value is there, should at least find a way to close into the money

2. #3 Calibogee (10-1) – Jose Ortiz and Linda Rice join with this gelding who won first time out in a maiden claimer, but stretches in distance and could show speed or try to close again

3. #7 Landbiscuit (5-2) – Lord Flintshire showed improvement in his last two starts, but this colt by Orb is more dangerous here coming off an open maiden win with Saez in the irons

Race 8 – Alw 90000n1x

1. #2 Quick Return (8-1) – Overall poor field here, but this gelding is coming off a win this meet at the Spa, and should adjust well to the extra distance

2. #6 Bustin the Rules (6-1) – Finger Lakes shipper probably overmatched, but in decent form and has a few solid efforts that could put him in the money

3. #1 Our Man Mike (2-1) – The likely favorite for class reasons and good connections, but his last two efforts leave much to be desired although he switches back to dirt

Race 9 – Birdstone Stakes

1. #3 Lone Rock (1-1) – Winner of six of his last seven, this six year old gelding seems to have hit his stride and should be a prime contender here

2. #4 Moretti (5-2) – Won in this spot last year, but probably won’t get the same perfect trip as last time, still one that likes longer distance

3. #5 Shooger Ray Too (15-1) – Has finished in the money in every career try on dirt, and flashed some potential at his only long distance race, with plenty left in the tank late

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