Spa selections 2021: Saratoga picks August 26

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 – OC 80000n2x

1. #3 Easy to Bless (5-1) – Possesses the most speed here and has run well at Saratoga in her last two this meet, this three year old filly is in good form with upside here

2. #2 Thoughtfully (8-1) – Hasn’t been encouraging in her last two, but drops from two grade I efforts and should improve here in this field

3. #6 Sharp Starr (4-1) – Maybe not one that is going to win, but nine for twelve in the money for her career and has some good races including a grade III win in December

Race 9 – Riskaverse Stakes

1. #11 Minaun (5-1) – Didn’t have the best trip last time, but drops from the grade III Lake George and gets a jockey change to Santana as Franco jumps to another Chad Brown entry

2. #7 Rastafara (7-2) – Chad Brown trainee won impressively last time out breaking maiden, and despite the step up here, seems poised for another strong effort

3. #10 Love and Money (9-2) – With Saez this filly will likely try to go wire to wire and has some potential to as long as the pace isn’t overly fast in the early goings

Race 10 – Clm 32000

1. #1 Xy Speed (6-1) – Winner of two in a row at Lone Star, this Diodoro trainee is five for six at this distance and should be in a good spot sitting off leaders

2. #3 Fast Getaway (7-2) – Having the combo of Saez and Maker makes this gelding by Into Mischief a threat, plus has a couple strong works in a row entering this race

3. #9 Mystery Messenger (6-1) – Ten for fifteen in the money lifetime on the turf, this entry picks up Rosario and was bet to favorite last time

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