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 6: Grade I Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes

1. #7 First World War (9-2) – Sitting mid pack here to stretch out in distance gives Dettori his best chance of winning in what is his only mount of the day

2. #8 Trikari (3-1) – Has toppled Legend of Time twice already including in the Belmont Derby at this distance, and should have no problem being near the lead here

3. #5 Fulmineo (10-1) – Added distance should be a good thing for this colt who seems to move forward in his stretch runs, hopefully getting some pace to aim at

4. #6 Deterministic (9-2) – Rosario and Clement haven’t been as dominant this meet on turf as in years past, but this second time turfer has the talent to make a late charge

RACE 7: Mdn 100k

1. #5 English Law (6-1) – The only one with a start on turf and at the distance to boot, this underrated jockey trainer combo enter with this colt who adds blinkers

2. #1 Statesman (8-1) – Shug McGaughey trainee recently clocked a four furlong bullet work in forty-seven and four-fifths, but needs to show he can run on turf

3. #8 Valuation Metric (3-1) – Chad Brown and Klaravich team up with Flavian Prat on this colt by Munnings who has been in good form setting up for a strong debut

4. #4 Royal Presence (7-2) – Has been working well for Mott as this colt by American Pharoah runs for the first time with strong bloodlines

RACE 8: Grade II Saratoga Special Stakes

1. #9 Keep it Easy (4-1) – Went gate to wire in probably the sharpest race of anyone in this field last time out, and can win here with a repeat of that effort

2. #2 Showcase (6-1) – Staked the lead to win by seven lengths in his debut, this colt by Uncle Mo has the upside to be a winner here with the right set up

3. #5 Touchy (5-2) – Wesley Ward takes blinkers off this colt who looks to come from off the pace with Joel Rosario after getting passed late in the Tremont

4. #4 First Resort (7-2) – Godolphin owned colt by Uncle Mo won impressively first time in the mud, but won’t get the same trip and pace here so needs to improve

RACE 9: Grade II Troy Stakes

1. #4 Cogburn (1-2) – Likely won’t have a turf course which is playing as fast as it did in June when he set a track record at the distance, but still wins with a top effort

2. #9 Grooms all Bizness (8-1) – A winner of two straight, this gelding is in top form as he steps up in class here at a price and should be in a good mid pack position

3. #1 Witty (12-1) – This Pennsylvania bred seems to be in good form recently, finishing in the top two in his last four tries and is strong at the distance

4. #11 Mischievous Angel (30-1) – Tough post, but Xy Speed hasn’t fared great outside of Gulfstream, and this gelding is improving with a chance to close late

RACE 10: Grade I Fourstardave Handicap

1. #6 Ottoman Fleet (8-5) – Carl Spackler excels at the distance and this Appleby trainee may prefer further, but his speed figures are a tad better and he is in top form

2. #4 Carl Spackler (9-5) – Outside of a let down in the Grade III Poker here in June, this colt has run his best at Saratoga and is in his sweet spot at eight furlongs

3. #7 More Than Looks (7-2) – Hasn’t run since the Breeders’ Cup Mile, and will need Strong Quality to set a quick early pace to be able to close and win from off the lead

4. #1 Strong Quality (8-1) – Will likely grab the early lead, and could be a threat if he is able to control the pace and slow it down as he has won his only race at a mile on turf

RACE 11: Alw 16000s

1. #2 Downtownchalybrown (3-1) – This Pennsylvania bred gelding should be on or near the lead and has good back class with a solid record at the distance in the money

2. #7 Banyan Breeze (8-1) – This eight year old drops from a stakes race at Presque Isle but has a win over this track and should improve off of last race

3. #6 Printrack (2-1) – Failed to threaten last time out over this track as the favorite, but has enough races which show ability that compares well to this group

4. #5 M B’s Munning (15-1) – Had a few sneaky good races at this distance in the spring, now likely to sit off the leaders with a chance to make a run late

RACE 12: Galway Stakes

1. #5 Star of Mystery (2-5) – Would be easier to bet against if there wasn’t as much speed in this field, but with a likely hot pace, the race sets up for this filly

2. #8 Kairyu (10-1) – Narrowly lost the Coronation Cup here last month, and should get a good trip and set up at a price to close well from mid pack

3. #3 Pipsy (6-1) – Didn’t have enough going a mile last time out when taking the early lead, so should return to her closing ways where she ran her best two back

4. #4 Ever So Sweet (12-1) – May sit off the lead with Rosario in the irons, avoiding the likely quick pace for Brad Cox but has early speed as well

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