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 7: Clm 12500

1. #4 Rider’s Special (7-5) – Drops in class against an underwhelming field and can win with a top effort but is inconsistent much like the others in here

2. #2 Joking Way (8-1) – Hasn’t run well since March, but drops even further down in claiming company and could be a good play if others tire late

3. #3 Nottoway (12-1) – This Finger Lakes shipper should be close enough to the lead to not completely fall out of the race, plus has been finishing well recently

4. #7 Mister J T (6-1) – Didn’t run his best in his last two, but this gelding by Stay Thirsty has better efforts against tougher fields so has a chance to be in the mix

RACE 8: Mahony Stakes

1. #1 Fandom (7-2) – Finished behind Mansa Musa last time but bested him in the Palisades, this colt adds blinkers here which should keep him closer to the front

2. #4 Apollo Ten (8-1) – Ran his debut here last year on the dirt against Fierceness, but since switching to turf has been successful and has the speed to take the lead

3. #7 Mansa Musa (5-2) – Good at the distance and finishes in the money at a strong clip, staying a bit closer to the lead should benefit him here for Mott

4. #9 Reef Runner (8-1) – May have taken advantage of the dry turf courses down at Gulfstream, but certainly has the late pace to be a threat against classier

RACE 9: Clm 25000n3L

1. #10 That’s Money (9-5) – Not a clear cut winner by any means, but in an overall weak field, this one has the leg up purely on the class drop

2. #1 J J’s Joker (5-1) – Has won both tries dropping into claiming company, now doing so again with a switch back to dirt after a rough try on turf

3. #7 Badlands Ruler (15-1) – Needs to break well, but has been effective when getting the early lead and should be there with Bobby the Tank and Dads Good Runner

4. #5 Anthracite (8-1) – Maybe not a likely winner, but should be mid pack with a good chance to close into the top four amongst this group

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: 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

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