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)!
We provide full-card picks and analysis for this afternoon’s races at Laurel Park.
Race 7 – OC 45000n2x
1. #4 I’mhavingamoment (5-2) – Recently off a six furlong win and an impressive bullet four furlong work, this filly by Uncle Mo seems to be in top form and should be the one to beat
2. #6 Security Code (7-2) – Made a nice closing move to only lose by a length and a half last time, and has a win over this track plus a good record in the money
3. #7 Temperamental (6-1) – Switches back to the dirt where she had her most recent win, and should be one that Rosario has moving late to at least make a run into third or fourth
4. #5 Silver Fist (9-2) – Definitely prefers dirt, but overall hasn’t been the most consistent and would need to put in her best effort to beat some others here who have a bit more upside
Race 8 – OC 62500n2x
1. #4 Galt (7-2) – Pipeline will probably take advantage of his speed edge on this field, leaving this colt in stalking position and at much better value with a chance if Pipeline leaves too fast
2. #2 Pipeline (3-5) – The favorite purely on a class drop, but hasn’t raced since the Breeder’s Cup Dirt Mile and will need to run similar to his form here last year in the Forego to win
3. #5 Bold Endeavor (8-1) – Has shown a couple of solid efforts particularly at this distance, but mostly coming against claiming company so will need to run well to hit the board
4. #1 Guntown (5-1) – Linda Rice gets this Gun Runner gelding off the claim who has won his only try at this distance but will need to improve and get some pace to close into
Race 9 – Grade II Glens Falls Stakes
1. #1 War Like Goddess (3-5) – Plenty of solid contenders including Virginia Joy who beat her here last year, but this six year old mare is still best at this distance and wins with a good effort
2. #3 Amazing Grace (5-1) – Other than War Like Goddess, the only one to have won at twelve furlongs with her last win off the bench boding well here as she enters off a loss in early June
3. #4 McKulick (7-2) – Has a win over this track and is pretty consistent finishing in the money, hitting the board in nine of ten tries for Klaravich and Brown who have Irad in the irons here
4. #2 Virginia Joy (8-1) – Slowed the pace down and went wire to wire on War Like Goddess in the Flower Bowl last year late in the meet, but probably won’t get that trip again in this spot
Race 10 – MC 40000
1. #9 Ripe for Mischief (3-1) – Improved last time in the drop down to maiden claiming, now cutting back to an ideal five and a half distance and can win if Saez keeps him near the pace
2. #7 War Prince (6-1) – Getting some distance relief should help this gelding who has run out of energy in the stretch of his route tries, now going to a turf sprint which suits him well
3. #6 Sinaloa (5-2) – This Linda Rice trainee by Good Magic adds blinkers and gets Irad Ortiz who has won both tries together with Linda this meet
4. #1 Bankingonachance (7-2) – Didn’t have the worst of debuts, but will need to improve some to have winning chances and will get a more manageable distance here
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Joseph Aiello, III, a graduate of Colgate University, is a lifelong racing fan and frequent Saratoga visitor, where he avidly hones his handicapping skills.
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