Spa selections 2023: Saratoga picks August 13 * The Racing Biz

Spa selections 2023: Saratoga picks august 13

Joseph Aiello
August 12, 2023

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)!

Dean Delivers seeks return to winning ways in Dave’s Friend
Dean Delivers, winner of July’s De Francis Dash, returns to Laurel Park Saturday to headline the Dave’s Friend Stakes.

Race 7 – OC 62500n2x

1. #3 Khozeiress (8-1) – Nearly won a stakes race last time and comes off a layoff where he has run well before, and should certainly be in the mix with a repeat of some of his efforts

2. #5 Looms Boldly (10-1) – This Finger Lakes shipper will likely be vying for the early lead, and has never finished out of the money with a solid jockey trainer combo here

3. #1 Vittorio (7-5) – Hasn’t won in almost two years, but gets Irad Ortiz and has back to back solid efforts where he lost by a nose and a neck so could be on the cusp

4. #2 Guntown (3-1) – Doesn’t win frequently, but has fared well on the turf and recently ran second over this track for Linda Rice just ten days ago

Race 8 – Alw 149500n1x

1. #3 Dreamlike (3-1) – Nearly won the Wood Memorial in April, then won impressively last time out at this distance over this track so this Gun Runner colt has a leg up on the others

2. #7 Magic Tap (5-2) – Lost narrowly last time out at this distance, and may have control of the lead here with good connections for Steve Asmussen and Winchell Thoroughbreds

3. #5 Film Star (4-1) – Frequently well respected by the betting public in this class, and can’t be ignored with Jose Ortiz and Linda Rice even if this colt has winning problems

4. #6 Tapit Shoes (6-1) – Whittington Park may be more consistent with a good chance to finish in the money, but this Brad Cox trainee should improve from the Belmont and has upside

Race 9 – OC 62500n2x

1. #7 He’smyhoneybadger (5-1) – Has run well at this distance and despite a rough effort last time out, this one has some good running style versatility with wins from on and off the pace

2. #1 H P Moon (3-1) – Made a nice closing move at this class last time, but might need to make up ground again be able to get the seven furlongs again although has been bet to favorite plenty

3. #2 Willy Boi (9-2) – Ran third in the Vanderbilt here last year then a distant tenth in the Breeder’s Cup Sprint, so this one has the most class here and drops from a grade III

4. #6 Shooters Shoot (7-2) – Hasn’t been quite as sharp since coming off a long layoff, but still is one that could be in the mix at seven furlongs with some solid back class

Race 10 – Mahony Stakes

1. #2 Gaslight Dancer (5-1) – Will need to run down Uncashed and others, but this race may set up for someone off the pace and this one will be good value and in a stalking position

2. #4 Uncashed (3-1) – Trainer Larry Rivelli tried to switch this dirt runner to the turf last time in the Quick Call before it came off, and this gelding has more upside than Eye Witness here

3. #10 Drew’s Gold (7-2) – After a distant third to a dominant New York Thunder in the Amsterdam, this dirt to turfer should improve on the distance cut back and if he likes the surface

4. #5 No Nay Hudson (6-1) – May have found something with more of a closing running style last time out, and comes off a sharp forty-six half mile bullet work a week ago