Spa selections 2021: Saratoga picks August 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 1 – Grade I Jonathan Sheppard Handicap

1. #6 The Mean Queen (2-1) – Should rebound after failing to finish in the Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes despite a large lead, and the most likely if she runs her race

2. #4 French Light (6-1) – Second to Baltimore Bucko last time out, but has been a consistent finisher and ran one of his best races here last year at this distance

3. #3 Baltimore Bucko (5-2) – Gibralfaro is safer to finish in the money, but this gelding has shown plenty of upside capped off with a grade I win earlier this meet

Race 7 – Alw 50000s

1. #5 Chloe Rose (6-1) – Has been consistent at finishing in the money and in the mix, but might need the right set up to win and can’t fall too far behind the leaders

2. #1 Bayshore Foxes (3-1) – Will probably be best suited sitting in third here, but being involved at the break in this underwhelming group could be enough to be competitive

3. #7 Before You (4-1) – Her most recent effort was slightly better than Targeted Return’s recent win, plus could be dangerous here if she gets the lead that a couple may be aiming at early

Race 8 – Clm 40000

1. #5 Seismic Wave (7-2) – This Brown trainee takes another shot at claiming company after a solid effort last time, and goes back to a distance where he has had success

2. #6 Parlor (3-1) – Much classier than others like Morocco, and dropping from stakes company coming off some solid works should put this seven year old in the mix

3. #1 Taos (9-2) – Hasn’t run in over a year, but look for this one by Tapit to go to the early lead and might be a better price here

Race 9 – Bolton Landing Stakes

1. #8 Fulminate (7-2) – Based on her only start, possesses the most speed here plus gets the aggressive Saez in the irons who will likely try to go gate to wire here

2. #5 Derrynane (5-1) – If Fulminate takes early pressure from the two Wesley Ward runners, this Clement trainee should be sitting in the right spot with Rosario to pounce here

3. #9 Chi Town Lady (8-1) – Poppy Flower could struggle if she doesn’t get the front, so take the other Wesley Ward trainee in a race where he has had plenty of success in the past

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