Spa selections 2021: Saratoga picks August 8

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 – Fasig-Tipton De La Rose Stakes

1. #3 Viadera (6-5) – Has won her last three with close finishes, and has yet to lose at this distance in five tries, the clear favorite here

2. #1 Hendy Woods (6-1) – Also strong at the distance, but will need a bit more pace to close into as she has shown a good closing kick when hitting the stretch as the leader

3. #7 Regal Glory (9-5) – The other Chad Brown trainee who is two for two at the Spa and has plenty of class, runs best when close to the lead with fair fractions

Race 8 – Grade II Adirondack Stakes

1. #9 Microbiome (5-1) – Won impressively by five lengths in her maiden try, plus Gaffalione and Amoss have a strong percentage together

2. #2 Ontheonesandtwos (5-2) – Nearly won her stakes debut last time, gets Irad Ortiz, and should handle the added distance well

3. #8 Mainstay (3-1) – Was second all the way around in the Grade III Schuylerville, and will probably struggle if on the front end, but can still hang on in the money

Race 9 – Grade III Saratoga Oaks Invitational Stakes

1. #1 Higher Truth (5-1) – Close last time in the Grade I Belmont Oaks, and should continue to improve here for Chad Brown

2. #7 Creative Truth (7-2) – Mike Smith stays in town for this mount only, which is a sign that this filly is live and should run well in her North American debut

3. #5 Con Lima (7-2) – Can control this race which nearly worked last time at a similar distance, but needs little pressure early if she wants to hang on

Race 10 – Alw 90000n1x

1. #5 Saratoga Flash (9-2) – Nearly closed last time and gets an extra furlong here, so coming from off the pace seems to be his best style and can work in this field

2. #10 Chrome Dixie (5-1) – Might not win, but is typically in the mix and should be good value to play in exotics here

3. #4 The Golden Door (8-1) – Adding blinkers may help put this gelding closer to the lead, as he has made good late moves but is usually too far back to catch up to the leaders

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