Spa selections 2024: Saratoga picks July 18

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 4: New York Stallion Series Stakes

1. #5 The Big Torpedo (4-5) – Seems to be a bit above this field if he runs his best, with a chance to win by stalking or taking the early lead

2. #4 Fidelightcayut (7-2) – Four for five in the money on the turf and should be up near the lead here with this distance appearing to be his sweet spot

3. #7 B D Saints (12-1) – Has some good back class and could be one to take over late if the pace heats up more than expected

4. #6 Cable Ready (8-1) – Missed the break and was never a factor last time out, but ran competitively in a grade II two back which would give him winning chances here

RACE 8: Clm 30000n2L

1. #2 Sweet Dutchess (9-2) – Has fared well at this distance but never seems to win, now drops significantly into claiming company from higher level allowance races

2. #7 Highway Harmony (4-1) – Has taken a step forward since switching to turf, now dropping in class and should be in a good stalking position with Irad Ortiz

3. #1 Kosuke (6-1) – Should be on or near the lead, but will need to settle down to slower fractions to be able to hang on for a respectable finish

4. #9 Suprenant Cocca (9-2) – May be hoping to close into a quicker pace, but this filly by Catholic Boy did her best running with a sharp start in her third try

RACE 9: OC 80000n1x

1. #9 Mixologist (4-1) – This Brad Cox trainee closed impressively in her debut, hoping for a bit of pace here as she closed from tenth first time out

2. #5 Grayosh (9-2) – Drops out of a grade II for Chad Brown and may get the right set up to close into from mid pack with Flavian Prat

3. #11 Camera (7-2) – Adds blinkers and should have the tactical advantage here but breaks from a tough post and may have company early

4. #6 Dancing Dean (8-1) – Destiny Star deserves a look with the class drop and some good races at this distance, but this filly keeps improving and gets lasix here

RACE 10: MC 30000

1. #4 Albedo (10-1) – Adds lasix first time and goes back to the dirt where he was showing improvement before a tough finish on turf last time

2. #6 Saka Shocka (4-1) – Drops into maiden claiming company like Albedo and was trending upward, now with a cutback in distance which should be beneficial

3. #3 Hey Toby (3-1) – Failed to finish in his most recent try, but may get a muddy track to run on which is where his best effort came three back

4. #1 Mama’s Middie (9-2) – Lost interest last time out in the mud, but has a race in the fall that puts him in the mix here even if he isn’t a winner