Spa selections 2023: Saratoga picks August 17 * The Racing Biz

Spa selections 2023: Saratoga picks august 17

Joseph Aiello
August 16, 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)!

HISA announces research into equine sudden deaths
HISA announced it had made grants to support two projects analyzing exercise-associated sudden death among horses.

Race 7 – Mdn 136.5k

1. #3 Notinamillionyears (7-2) – Debuts for Chad Brown with Flavian Prat in the irons, and may be over bet but enters with high expectations with a price tag of nearly half a million

2. #7 Mirabella (9-2) – Couldn’t hold on in the stretch last time as the favorite, but gets an ideal eight furlong distance here and ran better with a more forward trip

3. #1 Tangential (4-1) – First time lasix filly who took a step forward in switching to turf for Chad Brown and Klaravich Stables, this is one that can’t be ignored with continued improvement

4. #4 Doral (6-1) – This filly by Quality Road has been relatively consistent over firm courses, having been bet to favorite in her last four starts with three seconds in five tries

Race 8 – Alw 50000s

1. #4 Clubhouse (5-1) – This colt by Speightstown was running against better company early this year, and might be under the radar with a chance to get a good stalking trip with Lezcano

2. #7 Giroovin (2-1) – His recent win in claiming company would put him in the mix here, but this one will need to break sharply with Manny Franco to be a factor

3. #5 Win for Gold (5-2) – Has typically faded in the stretch even at this distance, but should be on the lead with a solid record in the money even if he gets caught late

4. #1 Kunshan Bridge (3-1) – Another Linda Rice and Jose Ortiz runner who should make a good case to hit the board, but steps up in class and may be better from off the pace

Race 9 – Rick Violette Stakes

1. #1 Ramblin’ Wreck (9-5) – Just ran out of time in his most recent stakes against Itsallcomintogetha, and this time gets a bit more distance and should get a better trip

2. #6 Let’s Go Big Blue (5-2) – Ran against some classier horses in the fall, now putting his two for two record at Saratoga on the line here with some good upside for August Dawn Farm

3. #5 Itsallcomintogetha (4-1) – Got the perfect trip last time to beat Ramblin’ Wreck, but likely won’t get the same fractions and still barely held on to a good lead in the stretch there

4. #2 King of Comedy (5-2) – This colt had a commanding win sitting on a slow pace last time out, but could be a factor if he gets a similar trip and breaks to the lead

Race 10 – Mdn 88k

1. #3 Locke and Key (8-1) – Failed to finish last time and should be a big price here, but drops from open maidens to this state-bred class and should enjoy the cut back in distance

2. #7 Laurel Valley (7-2) – Based on his last two since switching surfaces, this gelding should be the one to beat, as a mid-pack trip from Prat gives him winning chances here

3. #6 Scherzando (5-1) – This DeeTee Stables gelding has had eighteen tries to break maiden, clearly preferring turf and keeps Castellano which should give him a chance to break through

4. #10 Screw Loose (6-1) – Made a nice late closing move in the stretch last time out, albeit against maiden claimers, but should be moving late especially if there is some pace here