Spa selections 2024: Saratoga picks August 17
Joseph Aiello- August 16, 2024
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 8: Alw 110000n1x
1. #10 Timeout (5-2) – Off of a bullet work, this colt by Curlin drops from the Curlin Stakes where he finished third, and has a leg up on the others who are less proven
2. #7 Game Warden (8-1) – Has some of the best efforts run at nine furlongs of this field, plus won over this track in late July with a strong race
3. #6 Rocketeer (9-2) – Adds blinkers, and is a play purely off of his close fourth in the Grade III Matt Winn in early June for Brad Cox
4. #4 Bank Frenzy (6-1) – Dangerous if he repeats last race where he controlled quick fractions, and has a suddenly surging jockey and trainer combo
RACE 9: Grade II Lake Placid Stakes
1. #5 Spaliday (12-1) – Dettori rides for Chad Brown on this filly who has been quickly improving and recently won a stakes at this distance
2. #7 She Feels Pretty (2-1) – The winner if going by class, this filly has been best at a mile so should fare fine at a mile and one sixteenth with no standout here
3. #9 Proctor Street (8-1) – This filly by Street Sense has shown an impressive turn of foot through two starts, and would be tough to pass up even with the step up in class
4. #10 Dynamic Pricing (6-1) – May not have the upside of the outside breaking Appleby trainee, but this Brown trainee is dangerous if she runs her best
RACE 10: Grade I Alabama Stakes
1. #6 Miss Justify (6-1) – Won’t win if she goes to the front, but was impressive in the Wilton for Pletcher and is dangerous in a stalking position if she can get the distance
2. #3 Power Squeeze (9-2) – Has good recent class, and has won every race this year when she didn’t face Thorpedo Anna plus shouldn’t mind the distance
3. #7 Candied (7-5) – Will be the top choice purely for her second place finish to Thorpedo Anna last time and her class, but needs to prove she can stretch in distance
4. #4 Just Basking (5-1) – Landeros rides for Wilkes for his only mount on this filly who appears to be the one that will relish this distance with a win at ten furlongs already
RACE 11: Alw 50000s
1. #6 Have You Heard (10-1) – Irad Ortiz returns from suspension and gets this likely value play who didn’t run well last time but has a few strong efforts recently
2. #3 Yo Daddy (3-1) – Has struggled to win, but is still one of the more consistent finishers in this field who adds blinkers but should be moving late
3. #7 Unlimitedpotential (5-2) – Has shown the ability to wire fields, but needs to break well and get to the lead or else he likely won’t be a factor
4. #10 Pursuit of Power (8-1) – Ran a solid second last time after a win in claiming company, and may have some upside even if inconsistent in a field of questions
RACE 12: Mdn 90k
1. #6 Naughty Destiny (6-1) – Dylan Davis has been on a tear recently, and gets the mount for Clement here dropping out of a state bred stakes race
2. #3 Heart of the Night (2-1) – Has been close in her last two at this distance, and has a good chance to break through with one of her better efforts
3. #5 Beautiful Thief (8-5) – Up on a quick pace when the turf was playing to speed in June, this filly has a chance to hold on if sits on a slower pace
4. #8 Barefoot Disco (6-1) – The one who could be the beneficiary of a quicker early pace if it is more contested than expected in this group
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