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: Harvey Pack Stakes

1. #6 Souper Quest (3-1) – Has never finished worse than third in eight tries, and despite the presence of other speed in here, he is in top form with a chance to wire

2. #5 Arzak (7-5) – Has been keeping good company and gets Irad Ortiz in the irons here plus should get the right pace set up to run at with a good effort

3. #1 Smithwick’s Spice (12-1) – Comes off a sharp four furlong work and has the speed to stay on the lead or some versatility to close from off the pace

4. #8 Big Invasion (6-1) – Should be plenty of pace for this one and Our Shot to close into, but despite inconsistency this year, a strong finish is likely

RACE 9: OClm 35000

1. #7 Next On Stage (5-1) – Should be on or near the lead, and despite getting passed in the stretch last time at this distance, she should control a slower pace

2. #4 It’s Hot in Here (5-2) – Closed impressively last time, and keeps Irad Ortiz in the irons after taking a step forward in claiming company off the layoff

3. #5 Silent Melody (6-1) – Has been competitive in this company, and despite the lack of wins, drops in class after a solid second place finish last time

4. #6 Dea Matrona (7-2) – Couldn’t hold off her stablemate It’s Hot in Here last time, but has been trending up in three straight and is a threat with continued improvement

RACE 10: Grade I Hopeful Stakes

1. #2 Ferocious (8-5) – May have been a fan of the mud first time out, but if he runs close to that effort with a stalking trip, he should win here at this distance

2. #6 Studlydoright (12-1) – Was too far back in the Grade III Sanford, and has a better chance with a sharper ride from Perez and some pace to his outside from Mentee

3. #5 Smoken Wicked (15-1) – This Dallas Stewart trainee has been improving, and should be fine with the seven furlong distance coming out of a grade II

4. #8 Chancer McPatrick (5-2) – Should be closing late with the other Chad Brown Incentive Pay, but was more impressive in his debut though he needs a sharper start

RACE 11: Alw 110000n1x

1. #10 Determined Lilly (8-1) – Has improved this year under Trombetta, and is good value coming off the bench after winning in May off a layoff

2. #11 Child of the Moon (3-1) – Competitive if she just runs back to her race last time out, and likely improves in her second try over this turf course

3. #9 Collaboration (6-1) – Has consistently had good speed figures which compare well here, and has a good record in the money plus keeps Dylan Davis

4. #8 Venencia (4-1) – Chad Brown and Irad Ortiz team up with this filly who drops from a grade II but comes off a year long layoff

RACE 12: MC 40000

1. #5 Lu’s Redemption (5-1) – Has finished well recently, with speed figures that compare well with this group and gets back to turf in this try

2. #3 Lucky and Gorgeous (6-1) – Bridgmohan sticks around with Melanie Giddings who he has ridden well for in limited tries this meet, and should be running late

3. #2 Tour Jete (6-1) – Drops from stakes company into this maiden claimer, and finally gets a shot at turf after running on two straight off surfaces and has improved

4. #6 Dance On Air (7-2) – Hard to ignore Brown and Prat who get this filly by Good Magic back to the turf and in claiming company for the second time

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