Spa selections 2024: Saratoga picks July 19

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 3: Curlin Stakes

1. #1 Unmatched Wisdom (4-5) – Chad Brown has had plenty of success in this race in years past, and trains this colt who has the most upside of this group

2. #2 Corporate Power (7-2) – This colt by Curlin comes off a layoff after a stakes win at Pimlico, and should be sitting in a close third or fourth in this small field

3. #4 TImeout (2-1) – Has improved in three tries, taking a step forward with better starting position and running closer to the front which he should do here

4. #5 Elephants Ear (12-1) – Easily ran his best last time in a win at this distance, and could be a factor if the pace is faster than expected and he repeats last race

RACE 8: Alw 110000n1x

1. #2 Wailua (6-1) – Has won both tries in her career and has one of the best races at six furlongs last time near a fast early pace

2. #9 Princess Madison (7-2) – Likely wins if she repeats her most recent race where she won by seven lengths, and should be a top win contender here

3. #7 Roswell (5-2) – Ultimately may end up preferring longer distance than this, so should be looked at to finish in the money and may not be good value as a winner

4. #4 Sam’s Treasure (7-2) – Should be aggressive early, but keeps Rosario here who left this filly off the lead last time so maybe closes into the money

RACE 9: Alw 110000n1x

    1. #5 Child of the Moon (4-1) – Chad Brown and Flavian Prat team up with this filly who comes off a year long layoff but has the upside to win here

    2. #4 Vino Rouge (2-1) – Drops out of a stakes race, but hasn’t been winning even in this company although she should certainly be in the mix late

    3. #10 Root Cause (5-2) – Drops from a grade II and even with a tougher post shouldn’t be too bothered as a closer but will need some pace to close into

    4. #7 Determined Lilly (8-1) – Winner of her last three, and even with the step up in class this filly has been running her best and is strong at this distance

    RACE 10: Mdn 90k

    1. #3 Heart of the Night (4-1) – Likely wins if she repeats his most recent effort, and should be near the lead here going five and a half which gives her an advantage

    2. #4 Geopolitics (5-2) – Ran well last time and cuts back a half furlong after being passed in the stretch plus should have the lead on a class drop here

    3. #7 Barefoot Disco (10-1) – Was closing well in her debut and adds lasix here but likely relies on Geopolitics being pressed on the lead early

    4. #6 Splashy (8-1) – Not a likely winner with eight tries in maiden company, but ran well enough last time out to finish in the mix here