Spa selections 2023: Saratoga picks August 23 * The Racing Biz

Spa selections 2023: Saratoga picks august 23

Joseph Aiello
August 22, 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)!

Sea Dancer gets valuable stakes win in Carousel
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 1 – Grade I Jonathan Sheppard Handicap

1. #1 L’Imperator (9-2) – Has impressed as a hurdler in a few tries, winning comfortably by eight lengths last time over this track in late July albeit against lesser competition

2. #9 McTigue (7-2) – Won the Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes earlier this month, and has been one of the most consistent runners of this field frequently hitting the board

3. #3 Awakened (6-1) – Eight for fourteen in the money including a win at this distance and a valiant second to McTigue last time gives this one a good chance here

4. #2 Jimmy P (6-1) – Takes a step up in class, but is another that typically puts his best foot forward and might be a bit steadier than the more talented Noah and The Ark

Race 7 – John’s Call Stakes

1. #4 Pioneering Spirit (5-2) – A winner of four straight on turf, this Linda Rice trainee by American Pharoah keeps Jose Ortiz who should have no problem stretching him out in distance

2. #8 Sy Dog (5-1) – Has some good back class, plus might be one that will enjoy the longer distance, especially if Manny Franco keeps him closer to the back of the pack early

3. #5 British Royalty (7-2) – This gelding by English Channel certainly won’t be fazed by the distance coming from a sixteen furlong effort last time and has a good record in the money

4. #1 Good Skate (10-1) – Picked up nearly seven lengths last time over this turf course so shouldn’t be distance limited adding two furlongs here with the right trip from Irad Ortiz

Race 8 – MC 40000

1. #10 Mufrih (5-1) – Should be a bit under the radar and has a tougher post, but his best races compare with the others and a ground saving trip could work well here

2. #4 Rockstar Red (7-2) – Flavian Prat makes the rare appearance riding for Linda Rice here on this gelding by Frosted who should improve getting back to the turf in this class

3. #8 Bee Well (8-1) – Gets some much needed class relief, plus adds blinkers and cuts back to a more manageable distance around where he has run his best for Jack Sisterson

4. #9 Sixwillberich (8-1) – Definitely preferred the turf last time in just his first non dirt try, plus taking this gelding back a couple lengths off the lead early proved to be beneficial

Race 9 – OC 45000n2x

1. #6 Radio Red (7-2) – Gets the plus for his class coming out of a state bred stakes, and keeps Rosario who had him in good position last time going seven furlongs

2. #1 Straight Arrow (8-1) – Improving and with a nice win last time out at this distance, this grey gelding by Arrogate should be a fair price with some chances here

3. #4 Aggregation (5-1) – This first time gelding ran one of his best races going seven furlongs, and has some speed figures that compare favorably here for Klaravich and Brown

4. #5 Amundson (9-2) – Back to back underwhelming races, but has overall been consistent in his career and starts first time off the claim from Linda Rice in this one

Race 10 – MC 40000

1. #12 Shesasmalltowngirl (5-1) – Her race at this distance last time was encouraging, plus she might be good value with Manny Franco in the irons who is riding well as of late

2. #8 Negra Gata (9-2) – Seems to be steadily improving her finishing position, with two solid five and a half turf races in back to back tries, now dropping in class here

3. #11 Accept the Outcome (7-2) – This Klaravich filly gets a slightly more manageable distance and drops into claiming company here with a second time try that puts her in the mix

4. #5 Love Mami Love (5-1) – Could play Quiescent at a price here as well, but this filly has been more consistent and could be close to the lead here