Spa selections 2022: Saratoga picks August 6
In Spa Selections, Saratoga correspondent Joseph Aiello provides Saratoga picks for a handful of key races at Saratoga, including all of the exciting stakes action!
Follow along all meet with all the exciting action (and good betting opportunities)!
- Maryland horsemen, breeders point to ’25 prioritiesA board to govern the new Maryland Jockey Club, a new training center, and new breeder incentives are top priorities for Maryland’s horsemen and breeders.
Race 5 – Fasig-Tipton Lure Stakes
1. #7 Sifting Sands (5-1) – Has already won twice at Saratoga and is likely to be overlooked with the other Chad Brown trainee taking more money, he could sit a nice stalking trip here
2. #1 Public Sector (2-1) – Didn’t have enough in the stretch run last time in the Grade III Forbidden Apple, but is still a prime contender who can win if not too far back
3. #8 Somelikeithotbrown (5-2) – Hasn’t been winning as much recently, but still a threat with his pace and ability to control the race, should hang on in the money here
4. #2 Safe Conduct (6-1) – Strong at this distance and should be good value off a layoff here, and seven for ten lifetime in the money on the turf
Race 7 – Grade II Glens Falls Stakes
1. #2 Virginia Joy (5-2) – Will need to run her best, but is one of the few who has shown the ability to control the pace in these long races, and has top flight connections to win here
2. #6 War Like Goddess (1-2) – Has won both tries at Saratoga and gets Rosario here who is making all the right calls on the turf and in general this meet
3. #3 Petricor (6-1) – This filly by Frankel seems to want more distance, and with a good distance rider in Jose Ortiz, will get it here for Juddmonte and Chad Brown
4. #1 Temple City Terror (12-1) – Gets a plus for solid class here, and is a bit more proven than other long shots like Flanigan’s Cove and should bounce back after a tough effort
Race 9 – Grade I Longines Test Stakes
1. #1 Matareya (2-5) – Tough to pick a horse with this short of odds, but hard to make a case for any others to beat this one if she runs her best here
2. #6 Hot Peppers (5-1) – A nice win last time out in the Grade III Victory Ride, and will probably stay aggressive here with Saez, so this one may need softer fractions to have winning chances
3. #2 Sterling Silver (15-1) – Might be one to have closing chances if the pace heats up, with her and Chi Town Lady the two that will likely be towards the back early
4. #4 Wish You Well (12-1) – Can try taking a flier with this one over November Rein purely hoping that last race was poor because of the surface and this one has been working well
Race 10 – Grade I Whitney Stakes
1. #4 Olympiad (2-1) – Comes off a great work and has won five straight, may be the best at this distance and can win as long as Junior Alvarado keeps him close
2. #6 Life Is Good (6-5) – Nearly knocked off Jackie’s Warrior in the H Allen Jerkens last year, and is the winner here if he faces little pressure early and gets soft fractions
3. #2 Hot Rod Charlie (9-2) – Adds blinkers, and should be right up there pressing Life Is Good, so might get the right trip to have winning chances here if he can apply enough pressure early
4. #1 American Revolution (5-1) – Has a dominant win over this track at the distance from last year, but likely needs a crazy pace scenario to win here
Race 11 – Grade I Saratoga Derby Invitational
1. #4 Nations Pride (7-2) – William Buick comes to town only for this mount, and after seeing this Godolphin colt closing well in the Belmont Derby, he seems like the best at this distance
2. #6 Annapolis (5-2) – This colt by War Front has been very impressive in four career starts all on turf, and has shown indications to be able to handle added distance here
3. #10 Stone Age (9-2) – Another foreign runner who closed strongly in the Belmont Derby, and one that should certainly be there late especially if Classic Causeway is pressed by Emmanuel
4. #8 Sy Dog (12-1) – Four for five lifetime in the money, should be a good value play here, and only lost by a length and a half last time despite finishing sixth with a tough stretch run
Race 12 – Maiden 88k
1. #2 Your Mission (5-2) – Keeps Irad Ortiz and only lost by a length last time after showing some improvement, so seems like the one to beat here in an evenly-matched field
2. #3 Curlin’s Wisdom (8-1) – His one race on the turf was promising, and most others have been competitive with speed figures that are as good or better than the rest
3. #8 Dreampoint (8-1) – A lot of races to have not broken his maiden, but this looks like one that Rosario will have closing late to hit the board
4. #9 Biondi (7-2) – Gets the edge over Walk Em Down because this one has started and shown speed, but has had trouble holding onto leads
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5th.The horses for courses angle seems
relevant here”Somelikeithotbrown”could be
ready to come around,”Sifting Sands”lands second.
5th.”Sifting Sands”at 6.60-1,almost won.
7th.Pete’s “…Goddess” was his 2nd.
10th.”Life Is Good”but should have been taken down.
YO-11th.Pete’s got the cold exacta.
12th.”Curlin’s Wisdom”caused a foul and got
moved up,the heat musta got to the Stewards.
I will take Pete’s picks
into consideration tomorrow.
I don’t think I’ll try to out-handicap him.
5th.”Sifting Sands”at 6.60-1,almost won.
7th.Pete’s “…Goddess” was his 2nd.
10th.”Life Is Good”but should have been taken down.
YO-11th.Pete’s got the cold exacta.
12th.”Curlin’s Wisdom”caused a foul and got
moved up,the heat musta got to the Stewards.