Spa selections 2024: Saratoga picks July 17
Joseph Aiello- July 16, 2024
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)!
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 1: Grade I A.P. Smithwick Memorial Stakes
1. #5 L’Imperator (3-1) – Comes off a grade I win and has been finishing in the money at a high clip, hitting the board in all three tries this year
2. #2 Abaan (9-5) – A winner of four straight, this gelding by Traver’s winner Will Take Charge has run his best since switching to steeplechases with a good chance here
3. #1 Ziggle Pops (6-1) – Finished a close third to L’Imperator last time in a grade I, and should be in the mix here given his recent performances
4. #4 Freddy Flintshire (10-1) – Hasn’t been close in his recent grade I efforts, but has hit the board in all three at Saratoga and should be in the mix here
RACE 7: Alw 20000s
1. #9 She Caught My Eye (5-1) – Cuts back to a distance that she is better suited to, plus drops in class and has run well at Saratoga
2. #4 She’s Awesome (6-1) – Didn’t finish well last time, but is consistently bet down to favorite and should like the seven furlong distance
3. #10 Theresasilverlinin (2-1) – Winner of her last three and has never finished worse than second on a dry track, but will need to leave from the outside post
4. #5 Deck of Cards (6-1) – Fontanafreddy ran one of the better tries at this distance last time, but this mare could be on the lead and runs at a favorable distance
RACE 8: New York Stallion Series Stakes
1. #2 Sohana (6-1) – Finished a close fourth to Soloshot last time in her first race on turf, and can win with improvement and a similar running style this time
2. #3 Soloshot (4-1) – Won a month ago in this class, and has adjusted well to turf but will need to stretch out in distance which may not be ideal
3. #10 Bossy Jeans (9-2) – Went gate to wire last time and has improved with more forward trips, but steps in in class here from a maiden claimer
4. #4 My Shea D Lady (8-1) – Was closing last time against Soloshot and should appreciate more distance, plus gets another try over the turf here
RACE 9: MC 40000
1. #12 Purrfect Girl (6-1) – Picked up nearly six lengths in the stretch last race with little pace to run into and gets Joel Rosario here on the turf which is always good
2. #9 Coquito (8-1) – Upwards trend in speed figures and ran her best most recently in her first try on turf, plus drops from an open maiden into claiming company
3. #10 Fantasy Performer (5-1) – Didn’t run particularly well for Chad Brown first time out, but adds lasix here and drops in class so should improve
4. #2 Luna Love (12-1) – Finished a close sixth by two and a quarter lengths last time when dropping down to maiden claimers, but needs pace to close into
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