Spa selections 2022: Saratoga picks September 2
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)!
- Laurel Park cancels all weekend racingLaurel Park will cancel all three days of live racing this weekend, and its three Saturday stakes will return as extras for Friday, Nov. 29.
Race 7 – Claiming 35000n2L
1. #5 Topic Changer (4-1) – This colt by Flintshire has the connections of Rosario and Clement dropping from an allowance into claiming so should be a good play here
2. #3 Fieldstone (3-1) – Ran a solid third last time dropping into this company, with some good speed figures that put him in the mix with this field
3. #4 Super Wicked Charm (20-1) – Outside of a few dirt efforts, this gelding has been close in a lot of his recent races, and even if he nearly never wins, could be a good exotics play
4. #6 Bless Bless (5-1) – This Maker trainee needs to break better than he did last time, but could be a factor if he is able to be forwardly placed with the normally aggressive Carmouche
Race 8 – Lucky Coin Stakes
1. #5 Thin White Duke (5-1) – Going to keep picking this gelding until he finally breaks through, but a close third last time to Golden Pal might signal that he is near a trip to the winner’s circle
2. #2 The Critical Way (4-1) – This eight year old gelding might be able to take advantage of a drying turf course that could play to speed which gives him the advantage if he breaks well
3. #1 Big Package (7-2) – This gelding by Big Brown has run his best at Saratoga with all four previous tries at this distance, but might need to be a bit closer to the lead than usual
4. #6 Voodoo Zip (5-2) – Rosario leaves an improving Dancing Buck to ride this horse for Clement, and even if he should be closing late, this might not be his best distance
Race 9 – Grade II Prioress Stakes
1. #3 Lady Scarlet (12-1) – A winner of a grade III two back, this filly comes off the bench after a turf try here in early July, and might sit a good trip in third or fourth with a chance to win
2. #6 Angitude (4-1) – Rosario will likely try to have this filly rate in a field where there may be some pace, and she does seem better suited going shorter than the eight furlongs last time
3. #2 Hot Peppers (7-2) – The likely favorite who ran well in the Grade I Test and just ran out of gas late, she should have the lead at six furlongs and will win if she doesn’t get pressed
4. #9 Smash Ticket (4-1) – Ran a sharp speed figure last time, and could be a threat here if she breaks well and gets to the lead with Hot Peppers
Race 10 – Maiden 88k
1. #8 Curlin’s Wisdom (7-2) – Eight furlongs should be about his limit, and he has run well in both turf tries so could be in the mix here with a stalking trip by Lezcano
2. #6 Conquist (3-1) – Had good control of the pace last time out, and could do the same here plus gets a better post draw than last time
3. #9 Dreampoint (4-1) – This deep closer might need a bit more pace to win, but has been a consistent finisher recently and should be there late
4. #2 Excursionniste (8-1) – Maybe a slight step below some others here, but finished second by disqualification last time with one of his better races at Saratoga, so good value in this spot
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7th.So far so good.
Looks like I’m still shut out…sigh.
9th.I may be able to criticize
but I can make a bet,when someone’s
hot I’ll give it a shot.
9th.I changed my mind,
I’ll take “Union Lake” with
everybody else and hope to
make my fortune.
10th,1 and 9 add up to me.
10th. When you’re hot you’re hot
and I am not,
10th.Aiello got nice with Rice,congratulations.
I’m going to look for another line of work.
The kid can ‘cap!