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 9: Alw 110000n1x

1. #8 Victors Valiant (8-1) – Was running his best before last race was taken off the turf, and should be good value in an evenly matched field here

2. #6 Barrage (5-1) – Solid record at the distance with a chance to be on the early lead or close from mid pack and should be in the mix with a good effort

3. #5 Unleash the Power (6-1) – Has hit the board in half of his twelve tries on turf, typically closing from off the pace and comes off a win over this turf course

4. #10 Laurel Valley (8-1) – Will have difficulty holding onto the lead from this post, but should be in control and has two wins over this turf course

RACE 10: Grade III Prioress Stakes

1. #9 Brightwork (9-2) – Comes off a long layoff, but has some of the better efforts at the distance here going back to last year and wins if she can repeat that form

2. #7 Two Sharp (7-5) – Can’t be ignored after breaking her maiden by eleven lengths earlier this month, and Bauer is having a great meet this summer

3. #5 Carmelina (10-1) – Should be on the lead early, and is a win threat if she repeats her effort last race which was an impressive gate to wire victory at seven furlongs

4. #3 Tricky Temper (7-2) – Has been winning against state breds this meet, with her best races coming over this track and at this distance which bodes well here

RACE 11: Grade I Spinaway Stakes

1. #2 Sherbini (8-1) – Was simply too far back in the Schuylerville, and a slightly better start with some pace to run at makes this grey filly good value here

2. #11 Quietside (3-1) – Drew away from her competition first time out, and should be in a good stalking position on what might be a fast early pace

3. #8 The Queens M G (7-2) – Has been very impressive in her last two, but faces a stronger field here than last time though she shouldn’t be ignored

4. #4 Tiz Purple (12-1) – Just a bit faster than Salted who has upside in here, but won over this track last time in one of the faster efforts at six furlongs of this group

RACE 12: Grade II Flower Bowl Stakes

1. #4 Eternal Hope (5-1) – This Appleby trainee was just too close to the lead in the Glens Falls, and has a much better chance sitting mid pack here with a late run

2. #7 McKulick (3-1) – Won the Grade II Glens Falls earlier this month, and clearly runs well at Saratoga like most Chad Brown trainees, but needs some pace to run at

3. #1 War Like Goddess (7-5) – Probably the best if she runs as well as last time, but may leave too much ground with other strong closers in here who are better value

4. #6 Neecie Marie (8-1) – Compares favorably to this field from a speed figure perspective, running better with more distance and was solid in the Beverly D

RACE 13: OClm 35000

1. #9 Kick a Buck (9-2) – Linda Rice runs this gelding first off the claim from Chad Brown following a win, and can be there late with some pace from this group

2. #4 Miztertonic (8-1) – Steps up from state bred maiden claimers, but showed improvement stretching out in distance with a win over this track last time

3. #12 Palace View (7-2) – Tougher post, but keeps Irad Ortiz in the irons and adds blinkers after a few races where he was too far back but hasn’t won on turf yet

4. #6 Jhirsch (5-1) – Was competitive last time out against similar competition, and has been doing his best running on turf recently for Graham Motion

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