Spa selections 2021: Saratoga picks August 19

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 – Clm 50000

1. #5 Kitten With a Whip (6-1) – Six for seven in the money just this year, plus drops into claiming company after a good effort last time at Pimlico

2. #8 Triple Digit (6-1) – Her three tries on the turf have been much improved from some of her dirt efforts, and is another that might improve with a class drop

3. #3 Gambling Cat (7-2) – Her last two efforts in this company have been good enough to win here, and repeats of those races puts her in the mix

Race 9 – Union Avenue Handicap

1. #1 Sadie Lady (2-5) – Not a lock here and likely to be bad value, but no others that have been consistently as good so still most likely in this weak field

2. #6 Diva Banker (8-1) – Has shown a couple wins that weren’t directly on the lead, and with others pace dependent, this mare has a good chance if she sits in third or fourth early

3. #2 Lot of Honey (30-1) – A bit of a reach here, but her maiden win was solid, and a repeat of that effort could potentially put her in the money at a number

Race 10 – Mdn 85k

1. #1 Acushla (5-1) – Adds blinkers here which should put this filly a bit closer to the lead, but has still shown a good closing kick plus has a strong jockey trainer combo

2. #4 Marvelous Maude (3-1) – Brown trainee picked up a few lengths in the stretch in her debut, plus picks up Irad here

3. #6 La Victoria (6-1) – Vivazano might be better value and has a good try on turf, but this one switches surfaces for Pletcher and was bet to favorite in her first two tries

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