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)!
We provide full-card picks and analysis for this afternoon’s races at Laurel Park.
Race 3 – Bernard Baruch Stakes
1. #4 Wit (7-5) – Comes off another long layoff after a grade I effort, and compares well with this group with some of his top tries good enough to put him in the winner’s circle
2. #2 Pioneering Spirit (7-2) – An improving gelding by American Pharoah who maybe was pushed too far last time in the Sword Dancer, but gets some distance and class relief here
3. #5 Emaraaty (3-1) – Won this race last year then came off a long layoff to a distant loss in June since that win, but if he returns to form, could be the best in here with four wins at the Spa
4. #3 Public Sector (5-2) – Has run well at Saratoga in the past, but doesn’t appear to be in his top form recently having not won in nearly two years although he has good class
Race 8 – Alw 95000n1x
1. #8 Win for Gold (3-1) – Probably ran his best race last time, and a repeat of that on the front end could be good enough, but may be best to sit in second rather than going right for the lead
2. #6 Be the Boss (9-2) – Has a win at Saratoga and was barely caught last time out at seven furlongs, so scaling back to six might be the change to get this one back in the win column
3. #1 Asymmetric (8-1) – Gets back to a more manageable distance where he has a couple of races off the pace that give him winning chances in this group
4. #5 Newport Bridge (12-1) – Linda Rice enters this gelding who got caught late in the stretch as the favorite just a little over a week ago here and could be dangerous with a similar trip
Race 9 – Mdn 136.5k
1. #3 American Know How (5-2) – His race two back probably wins here, and with two solid efforts over this turf course it seems like he is due for a breakthrough win this meet
2. #11 Kasimba (6-1) – Five starts and five second place finishes, this gelding finally gets back to turf which was his best showing so far and could be enough to put him over the top
3. #4 Be There (12-1) – Has been relatively competitive at this distance, but probably needs to go back to rating rather than being closer to the lead like his effort last time
4. #10 Liquid Addiction (8-1) – Alexis Zorba comes off a long layoff and hasn’t shown enough for Chad Brown to be a top play, so take this gelding who may be stalking the leaders here
Race 10 – Grade I Hopeful Stakes
1. #6 Gold Sweep (6-1) – Stumbled at the gate in the grade III Sanford but recovered into second, this colt can win with a similar trip to his second start for Asmussen
2. #5 Timberlake (4-1) – Won at this distance last time, and should be on or near the lead along with Muth and others with a good chance of winning if he repeats his most recent effort
3. #1 Just Steel (10-1) – D. Wayne Lukas has had a penchant for winning this race, as this colt by Justify has taken major steps forward in each of his three starts and comes off a solid work
4. #4 Mission Beach (10-1) – Doesn’t have the same speed as Muth who could be dangerous if he gets free on the lead, but this other Baffert trainee should be in a better stalking position here
Race 11 – Mdn 88k
1. #11 Lt. Mitchell (5-2) – One of the few who has been competitive in this state bred maiden class, but probably isn’t good enough to wire this group so may need to come from off the pace
2. #5 Fake Celebrity (7-2) – This first time starter for Chad Brown takes on this underwhelming field with Irad Ortiz in the irons and has as good a chance as any with others not showing much
3. #8 Chulligan (9-2) – Maybe left a little too much ground to make up last time, but didn’t finish too far back and this colt by Justify comes off the bench here for Clement
4. #9 Dolly’s Bank (15-1) – Finished a distant sixth in his debut last time, but that race compares well to these others and with improvement and a better trip this one can be in the mix
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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
