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: Rick Violette Stakes

1. #2 Fidelightcayut (9-2) – Seems to run better when closer to the lead, so will need to stay involved here in a stalking position and hope for less pace

2. #4 Courtly Banker (4-1) – No match for The Big Torpedo in his last two, and may improve enough against an easier field here to have winning chances

3. #8 Elysian Meadows (7-2) – Didn’t run his best on turf in April, but ran against a stronger field and gets another shot on the surface here for Mott

4. #9 Russian Realm (3-1) – Instamatic hasn’t proven that he can win going this far, so take this colt who has winning chances if his form translates to turf

RACE 8: OC 80000b

1. #2 Donegal Forever (2-1) – Likely can’t go further than this nine furlong distance, but finished well last time out even if it came on a slower pace

2. #3 Cooke Creek (9-5) – Has shown improvement with Jose Ortiz when being more forward in his last two, and can be a threat if the pace is modest

3. #6 Classic Catch (4-1) – Finished well back in his last try, but should be in the mix here as he has run well against this class in his career

4. #5 Tabeguache (9-2) – This Brad Cox trainee should be stalking the lead here and has a good record in the money even if he isn’t the top win candidate

RACE 9: Mdn 90k

1. #11 Wind Dancer (6-1) – Should get good value here as this gelding needs to be a bit closer to the lead and can only be a winner if he breaks sharply

2. #5 Amplitude (3-1) – Overall underwhelming field for this class may be ripe for the taking as his first time starter enters for Klaravich and Chad Brown

3. #6 Kid Kreesa (6-1) – Has run better on turf in his last two when being aggressive early, and may have enough in the tank to hold on late in the money

4. #7 New York Scrappy (9-2) – Takes blinkers off and gets back to the turf in an attempt to build off of his first effort but needs to improve to be a factor

RACE 10: Alw 110000n1x

1. #4 Strictly Taboo (6-1) – A winner of back to back tries at Saratoga, this filly has taken a step forward this year and should be in a good spot behind the leaders

2. #9 Riley Jean (8-1) – A near winner last time against similar company in a strong effort and has real winning chances with a repeat of that try

3. #10 Risk Threshold (7-2) – Tough post, but went gate to wire last time for Chad Brown and should be up on the lead in what could be quick early fractions

4. #7 Masterof the Tunes (8-1) – Has a chance to finish well considering the pace set up may lend itself to a closer and this mare should be coming from mid pack

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