Cover photo by NYRA/Adam Coglianese.

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: Jonathan Kiser Memorial Novice Stakes

1. #2 Kiyomori (4-1) – Won a stakes race over the fences in November, and should be close enough to the lead to have winning chances late with a good ride

2. #4 Hold Hard (6-1) – A winner of two straight, comes off a layoff after winning two back off in a similar situation off the bench

3. #3 Zarak the Brave (1-1) – First time gelding was improving but comes off long layoff and needs to stretch out in distance here

4. #6 Clara Belle (15-1) – Gate to wire win last time out an may have found something with that running style going up against the boys here

RACE 7: Clm 10000

1. #10 Proven Hope (9-2) – The last two races don’t look great, but the class drop may be enough for some improvement as he has run well against this class

2. #6 Daddy Knows (8-1) – Likely has the lead here, and should enjoy the slight distance cut back after fading in the late stretch last time at a mile

3. #9 Hatch (5-2) – First time off the claim for Rob Atras, this gelding has been competitive in claiming company with a few good tries at seven furlongs

4. #4 Khozy My Boy (4-1) – Maybe doesn’t have the top end efforts of Ram, but has hit the board in half of his career tries and an even better clip on the dirt

RACE 8: De La Rose Stakes

1. #6 Mouffy (9-2) – Dettori’s only mount of the day, this mare by Uncle Mo won last time out and is strong at this distance with good class

2. #10 Midnight Mile (5-1) – Irad Ortiz and Chad Brown team up with this filly who improved last time out but gets a tough post draw and needs to stay closer to the lead

3. #9 Evvie Jets (7-2) – Hasn’t been quite as good so far this year, but should be on the lead and has an advantage if she slows it down plus drops in class from a grade I

4. #3 Spirit and Glory (5-2) – Doesn’t have the speed of Evvie Jets and may need to sit off the lead, but has some top flight efforts at a mile and will hopefully be a better price

RACE 9: MC 75000

1. #5 Bold Ambition (7-2) – Adds blinkers and seems to be trending in the right direction, this colt should be close enough to the lead and gets a bit more distance

2. #6 Dark Devil (9-2) – Speed figures have improved in each of his three tries, most recently losing by a nose against similar class at this distance so should be in the mix

3. #4 Houlton (4-1) – Worth a play purely based on the class drop from open maidens, now adding lasix first time and switching back to dirt which should be better for him

4. #3 Confabulation (6-1) – Salacious has experience and drops into claiming company, but this first timer gets a nod with his top tier connections

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