Spa selections 2023: Saratoga picks JULY 20
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 7 – OC 45000n2x
1. #2 Citizen K (5-2) – Drops from a stakes race against City Man who is a notch above these, and has won with multiple running styles although a more forward trip may be best
2. #4 Conman (10-1) – Probably prefers a bit shorter, but three straight close finishes including a last time out win as favorite and a good jockey trainer combo make this one a solid play
3. #1 Spirit of St Louis (1-1) – Won impressively last time in his switch to turf, but will be tough to close again with another slow pace unless his entry sets a target for him to aim at
4. #3 Agent Creed (6-1) – A consistent runner who is almost always within a few lengths at the finish, this Asmussen trainee has proven to be solid at this distance and has a chance here
Race 8 – Alw 20000s
1. #3 Knowing Glance (8-1) – Rosario and Breen have been very effective together in limited tries and this filly has the perfect stalking style to tackle this field at seven furlongs
2. #6 Invaluable (10-1) – Three for five at the distance, and bet to favorite in five of her last six with wins off the bench twice already coming off the layoff here
3. #2 Know it All Audrey (5-2) – Will likely be on or near the pace, and is better suited going seven or shorter after fading in most of her stretch runs at a mile plus
4. #1 Mosienko (8-5) – Along with Know it All Audrey, this mare has better back class than most here, and if she improves off the drop she has favorable efforts that could win but not best value
Race 9 – OC 62500n2x
1. #10 Chasing the Crown (9-2) – Since his debut, this colt has hit the board in every try, and will be best suited here if Manny Franco has him closing from mid pack rather than on the lead
2. #7 Exact Estimate (7-2) – This Chad Brown trainee took a clear step forward since switching to turf, and gets a slight edge over his stablemate Napoleonic War who comes off a long layoff
3. #1 Ari Gold (4-1) – Adds lasix and is a winner of two in a row on the turf including a stakes last time, Saez could look to steal this race if he can control the early fractions without pressure
4. #5 James Aloysius (5-1) – Has fared well off layoffs and comes out of a stakes try, but even if he may prefer a bit shorter, this is one that has chances stalking off a slower pace
Race 10 – New York Stallion Series Stakes
1. #4 Vacation Dance (5-1) – This grey colt broke his maiden here first time out last year, and has been competitive against better, although Carmouche may need to keep him off the lead
2. #7 Ramblin’ Wreck (7-5) – Beat a couple of these in a stallion series stakes a month ago at Belmont, and can probably win again with a similar effort but got a great trip there
3. #8 Twenty Six Black (5-2) – Was passed by Ramblin’ Wreck last time but did more of the dirty work there as favorite, this colt by War Dancer has been improving and is dangerous here
4. #2 Itsallcomintogetha (6-1) – Had a nice win two back finally breaking his maiden where he went gate to wire at this distance, with a recent uptick in speed figures signaling improvement
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