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)!

Grade 3 winner Warrant to stand at Murmur Farm
Warrant, a Grade 3 winner by Consitution, will stand at Maryland’s Murmur Farm in 2025 after having stood in Pennsylvania in 2024.

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