Spa selections 2024: Saratoga picks July 20

  • userJoseph Aiello
  • dateJuly 19, 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 8: OC 62500n2x

1. #3 Gun It (4-1) – Has won from both on an off the pace, but sitting off of Federal Judge may be the right move rather than gunning for the lead at this distance

2. #2 Federal Judge (2-1) – Off a year long layoff, this first time gelding has plenty of speed but can’t go out too fast here if he wants to win

3. #7 Arro Smash (4-1) – His best race came two back at this distance, but sitting right off the lead may be most beneficial with speedier options to his inside

4. #5 Deer District (5-1) – Full Screen should prefer the slightly shorter distance than he is used to, but this colt could take advantage of a fast pace to close well

RACE 9: OC 80000b

1. #6 Cash Equity (8-1) – Has finished second in three straight, but this field is wide open and should be a good price even if he may not get enough pace to run at

2. #2 Major Dude (3-1) – Strong back class but hasn’t won going this far so he may need a similar trip to last race to have winning chances from mid pack

3. #3 Belouni (4-1) – Has been running well recently with a good closing kick and should be in the mix even if he isn’t the top win contender

4. #5 Atone (4-1) – Classier than Steady On who has a tougher post and isn’t as strong at the distance, plus has good experience over the turf course at Saratoga

RACE 10: Grade III Lake George Stakes

1. #7 De Regreso (6-1) – Steps up in class so should be good value, but has won her last three races and should be in the right spot sitting off the leaders

2. #2 Oversubscribed (5-2) – Rosario should have this filly closing quickly late and will have a chance even if there isn’t much pace to run at with the most upside here

3. #6 Sweet Rebecca (7-2) – Chad Brown’s ‘other’ filly drops from a grade II where she was too close to the lead, and should improve going back to a mid pack running style

4. #8 Pounce (8-1) – Vive Veuve has been running well but this filly has a chance to control the pace here in a race which may lack front end speed

RACE 11: Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks

1. #3 Thorpedo Anna (1-2) – Has proven that distance isn’t a problem even with her setting sharp early fractions last time in the Acorn, and wins with a repeat of that try

2. #1 Candied (5-2) – Will need to hope for Thorpedo Anna to go out too quickly and run out of gas in the stretch as this filly is the one who will like more distance

3. #5 Intricate (8-1) – The only runner who has ever beaten Thorpedo Anna, this filly by Gun Runner hasn’t been as sharp since, but should have no issue with nine furlongs

4. #4 Leslie’s Rose (5-1) – Runs her best in a stalking position, but was no match for Thorpedo Anna last time over this track and may prefer shorter distance

RACE 12: Mdn 100k

1. #5 El Rezeen (9-2) – Has been consistently moving forward in each stretch run on turf, and now gets another furlong to gain ground but needs pace to run at

2. #8 Jackal (6-1) – Has two solid races at this twelve furlong distance, and should be in a good mid pack position with winning chance if he repeats his effort from two back

3. #1 Factor Analysis (7-5) – Gets bet because of the connections, but needs to break through here and won’t be good value even if he will like more distance

4. #6 Vintage Vino (8-1) – De La Cruz has shown a bit more, but this Linda Rice trainee should love the added distance and adds blinkers here to stay more involved

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