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)!
Sea Dancer, a younger half-sis to one of the top turf horses in the country, earned her first stakes win in Saturday’s Carousel at Laurel Park.
Race 7 – Galway Stakes
1. #7 L J’s Emma (12-1) – Seems to be improving and clearly prefers turf, this filly by Into Mischief may be able to take advantage of some pace and should be a fair price
2. #9 Stone Silent (9-2) – Asmussen and Santana won the Troy on the turf with Cogburn last week, and look for another unlikely turf stakes win with this filly who has plenty of speed
3. #8 Love Reigns (5-2) – Most likely the favorite and won the Bolton Landing here last year as a two year old, but faces an evenly matched field with plenty who offer better value
4. #10 My Sweet Affair (6-1) – Has been solid at closing into the money, and in a race that could have plenty of speed, this filly should be in the mix late
Race 8 – Grade II Herb Moelis Memorial Saratoga Special Stakes
1. #5 Edified (7-2) – Has won at six furlongs and could run down Rhyme Schemes if he continues on a positive trajectory, plus should be decent value for Asmussen
2. #6 Rhyme Schemes (4-5) – His gate to wire win breaking maiden last time out was the most impressive race so far of this group, and he wins with a repeat but may be pressured early
3. #4 Haul (3-1) – Keeps Irad Ortiz for Todd Pletcher and should be one of three who appear to be above the others in here with a chance to win if he gets the right stalking trip
4. #3 Woodcourt (10-1) – Market Street comes off a sharp work and out of a grade III, but this colt took a clear step forward in just his second start and has more room to grow here
Race 9 – Grade I Fourstardave Handicap
1. #4 Annapolis (8-5) – Gets another crack at Casa Creed after coming up short in the Kelso, and should be much better off here with more forward position from Irad Ortiz
2. #6 Casa Creed (7-5) – Has proven to be more than capable at eight furlongs, running well over this track including a win in this race last year but will need to stay within striking distance
3. #1 Emmanuel (3-1) – Will be interesting to see what this Pletcher trainee does here as he has some versatility and could take aim at the likely leader My Sea Cottage or sit mid pack
4. #7 Ice Chocolat (8-1) – Not the most likely winner, but should be moving late potentially into third or fourth and may get a pace target in his stablemate who could be alone on the lead
Race 10 – Alw 50000s
1. #6 Cicciobello (9-2) – Might be wise to let the likely speed to his inside grab the early lead, as this is one that could take advantage if Mistical Curlin goes too fast
2. #4 What’s Up Doc (8-1) – Has hit the board in every try at eight furlongs, but needs to stay a bit closer to the leaders to not leave too much ground to make up here
3. #3 Order of Magnitude (8-1) – Steps up in class here from a claiming win earlier this meet, but could have chances in this field with a stalking trip letting the others do the dirty work
4. #2 Forrest City (6-1) – Has been a bit more consistent than Mistical Curlin who is better in the slop, and might be more reliable finishing in the money with a mid-pack move from Rosario
Race 11 – Alw 95000n1x
1. #10 Rheaume (6-1) – Might just be a tad better than this group, but seems to prefer going longer distance and does have some winning troubles so only a play at a number with this post
2. #2 Waterville (7-2) – Has never actually crossed the wire first breaking maiden by DQ, but has a couple races that should give her a strong chance of winning with a late kick from Rosario
3. #1 Spinning Colors (8-1) – This filly by Hard Spun took a clear step forward when switching to turf two back, and should be a contender if she continues to trend in the right direction
4. #9 Photon (5-1) – Took a while to break maiden, but gets Irad Ortiz and has raced more recently than another solid longshot in Latest Edition plus runs better in her turf route tries
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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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Joseph Aiello
