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. #3 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. #1 Hold Hard (5-1) – A winner of two straight, comes off a layoff after winning two back off in a similar situation off the bench

3. #2 Zarak the Brave (1-1) – First time gelding was improving but comes off long layoff and needs to stretch out in distance here

4. #4 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 5: OC 80000b

1. #7 Hollywood Walk (3-1) – This Maryland bred has finished close in a few stakes races, and should get pace to run into here closing from mid pack

2. #2 All That Magic (5-2) – Hasn’t run her best off a layoff, but has some good races at this distance and would be smart sitting off the leaders with a chance to win late

3. #5 Unsung Melody (6-1) – No turf experience, but recently won a stakes race and has winning chances if Santana keeps her off the early lead

4. #1 Sunday Shoes (5-1) – Speedy Traveler has the advantage on an off track, but this one may switch to turf a bit easier off of artificial surfaces and drops from a grade III

RACE 8: Johnstone Mile Handicap

1. #3 Smokin’ Hot Kitty (7-2) – Should have a tactical advantage being on the lead, and has the stamina to go gate to wire plus excels at this distance

2. #2 Sterling Silver (7-5) – The classiest of the bunch, this five year old mare drops from the Grade II Honorable Miss and stretches out in distance here

3. #6 Cupid’s Heart (9-5) – Should be in a good stalking position early and has only finished out of the money once in ten career tries with some good efforts here

4. #5 Bustin Bay (8-1) – Has a strong history at Saratoga and at this distance, and is still good enough to compete for Linda Rice if she gets near the early lead

RACE 9: MC 40000

1. #1A Adventurous Spirit (1-1) – His entry-mate drops even further in class, but this gelding by Ghostzapper has been close in his last two maidens and drops here

2. #6 Riverwalk (4-1) – Didn’t run his best upon dropping into maiden claimers last time, but showed some improvement in recent tries and is working great for Maker

3. #5 Bounteous (8-1) – Ran against better competition in the fall before dropping into maiden claimers, and switches back to turf to be in the mix even if he doesn’t win

4. #2 Pujol (15-1) – A bit ahead of Zen Air right now, and has shown some minor improvement plus adds blinkers here which may keep him in the mix

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