Spa selections 2022: Saratoga picks July 15

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 – Coronation Cup Stakes

1. #3 Twilight Gleaming (2-1) – Certainly has her work cut out for her with plenty of others who want to press the lead, but these Wesley Ward fillies have been tough to pass up here

2. #6 Derrynane (5-1) – Maybe not the best form of these, but with Rosario in the irons and a likely hot pace to close into, could be one to get a good run at them late

3. #11 Empress Tigress (6-1) – Too sharp in her debut to pass up, will switch to turf from artificial and could get the right stalking trip here to be a factor

4. #1 Marissa’s Lady (8-1) – This filly and Artos are two that offer good value to be used to round out supers, with this one showing some good speed and dropping from a grade II

Race 9 – Grade III Forbidden Apple Stakes

1. #1 Set Piece (3-1) – Should be deserving favorite, but will have to navigate from the rail and through a decent sized field so not one to be singled on top

2. #8 Atone (6-1) – Goes back to his preferred mile distance, with some versatility to either take the early lead or come from mid pack if the pace appears too harsh

3. #7 Public Sector (6-1) – Will likely get bet down a bit more due to his spotless record at Saratoga and being a Chad Brown trainee, but should still be decent value here

4. #3 Mira Mission (7-2) – Some stronger recent speed figures after jumping into graded stakes company, and good consistency that should put this one in the mix

Race 10 – OC 45000n2x

1. #7 Thinking It Over (5-1) – This is probably the best distance for her, and she has put in her two best performances in back to back races

2. #3 Khali Magic (7-2) – Almost always involved with the leaders late, but has had winning troubles at this class, still one of the more competitive of this field

3. #2 Rossa Veloce (3-1) – Didn’t have her easiest of trips last time, but has some races that would be good enough to beat these, and seems due for a bounce back effort

4. #1 Pretty Clever (6-1) – Has hit the board in her last five, usually finishing well even if behind, and should be more involved with the pace as she keeps Carmouche in the irons

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