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: Grade I Jonathan Sheppard Handicap

1. #6 Pickanumber (5-2) – Finished a good second in the Grade I A.P. Smithwick earlier this meet, and can improve in what is just his second start

2. #1 Too Friendly (6-1) – Was inconsistent when running overseas, but should adjust well to this steeplechase race with good experience going past two miles

3. #4 Zarak the Brave (9-5) – First time gelding finally makes a start after over two years, and should relish the added distance as one that wanted to go further

4. #5 Jimmy P (10-1) – Has run in four straight grade I races dating back to last year, and despite some distant finishes, has the class to compete with this group

RACE 5: Suzie O’Cain Stakes

1. #6 Awesome Czech (5-2) – Has shown a bit more than the rest here, including a near win in an open stakes in the fall, but needs to stay close to the lead

2. #1 Brocknardini (8-1) – Should improve with the class drop, and won an open stakes in September but got a perfect trip so needs to improve here

3. #2 Summer Whirl (3-1) – Has been the strongest finisher of anyone in this field, and wins with a bit quicker of an early pace which may not be in here

4. #7 Munny Grab (5-1) – Inconsistent in three turf tries, but still has enough upside if the pace quickens to be worth a play in exotics underneath

RACE 8: Alw 110000n1x

1. #11 Preliminary (6-1) – The ‘other’ Chad Brown trainee that Dettori rides, this Klaravich owned filly comes off a year long layoff but drops from a grade III

2. #4 Revalita (5-2) – Chad Brown trainee hasn’t been winning recently but is classier than this bunch and has been moving forward in all her stretch runs

3. #2 Beets (7-2) – Adds lasix and showed improvement second time out and can be competitive here with a continued upward trend

4. #3 Destiny Star (10-1) – Has run against better fields, and has some trip versatility with a few wins on the front and some solid trips coming from mid pack

RACE 9: OClm 35000

1. #4 Dr Oseran (10-1) – Adds blinkers here which should help him get closer to the lead where he was running his best last year at this distance

2. #3 Java Buzz (3-1) – Steps up in class but has the early speed to be a factor here and has run his best at this distance and over this turf course

3. #7 King Moonracer (10-1) – Comes off a sharp work and should be closing late in a race that may have a very quick early pace which sets up well

4. #8 Hilarious Affair (9-2) – Final Verdict has shown a bit more on the turf, but this Maker trainee is classier and should be closing late even if he doesn’t win

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