Spa selections 2021: Saratoga picks August 22

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 103000n1x

1. #5 Box N Score (9-5) – Won’t have an issue with this distance, and has consistently been in the mix, although the winning troubles could be cause for concern

2. #4 Actuary (6-1) – Not a great effort last time, but still has upside and room to improve with added distance and a better trip this time around

3. #1 Rhythm Section (9-2) – Will have difficulty trying to wire at this distance, but Jose and Maker can put this ridgling by American Pharoah in good position to have a chance

Race 8 – Clm 35000n3L

1. #3 Ahead of Plan (4-1) – With plenty of speed here, this Brown trainee should have the perfect set up coming from mid pack with a chance to pass them in the stretch

2. #8 Montauk Daddy (8-1) – Strong jockey trainer combo and one that drops from allowance company looking to go gate to wire here

3. #2 Lyrical Poet (9-2) – Another with speed, could make things difficult for Montauk Daddy and others, but gets a plus for having a win at this distance here a month ago

Race 9 – Summer Colony Stakes

1. #6 Gold Spirit (5-2) – A bit too close to the lead last time, but takes blinkers off here and still ran a close fourth, might be decent value

2. #2 Horologist (2-1) – Ran one of her better speed figures last time trying to go wire to wire, but Gibberish could make that difficult here, still a top contender

3. #4 Gibberish (7-2) – Another that possesses some early speed and ran well last time in defeat, but might prefer shorter although can still hold in the money

Race 10 – MC 40000

1. #10 Bail Out (3-1) – Three seconds in a row, and even with an outlandish twenty two races without a maiden win, seems like a good spot for a breakthrough here

2. #4 Leading West (6-1) – Has the ability to make big closing moves, and if there is more speed here than expected, this four year old could be dangerous late

3. #8 Voter Protection (9-2) – First time gelding has had trouble in his stretch runs, but drops from maiden company and should be competitive here

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