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Spa selections: Saratoga July 30

by | Jul 30, 2017 | Breaking, Handicapping

Pret Say Eye

Pret Say Eye was antsy early, strong late for trainer Lacey Gaudet (left) at Saratoga last year. Photo by Teresa Genaro.

by Joseph Aiello

In Spa Selections, Saratoga on-site correspondent Joseph Aiello provides picks for a handful of key races at Saratoga. Today, it’s four races, starting with the Grade 3, $200,000 Shuvee.

Race 1 – Grade III Shuvee Handicap

  1. #3 Terra Promessa (6-5) – Stonestreet filly by Curlin can run away from three horse field unless she is pressed by Apologynotaccepted
  2. #2 Paid Up Subscriber (1-1) – Class of field with recent bullet workout has run in six straight Grade I races and will win if other two go out too fast
  3. #1 Apologynotaccepted (3-1) – Also coming off a solid work, this six year old is simply outclassed by other two

Race 4 – Alw 50000s

  1. #9 Heldatgunpoint (10-1) – Quick four day turnaround must mean that this colt has more to give to trainer David Cannizzo
  2. #7 Six Schillings (3-1) – First time gelding showed cut back in distance at Arlington Park was move he needed to win
  3. #5 Junkett (8-1) – Switch to turf helped this three year old who picks up Irad Ortiz in the irons

Race 8 – OC 40000n2x

  1. #7 Syndergaard (8-5) – Ran in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile last year and also went two for two at Saratoga with the jockey trainer combo of Todd Pletcher and John Velazquez that won four races yesterday
  2. #4 Saratoga Giro (6-1) – With a track that has been biased towards speed, this colt has plenty and enough to challenge Syndergaard for the front
  3. #2 Nobody Move (9-2) – Gelding with jockey Irad Ortiz gets slight edge over brother Jose on Rectify due to better running style if a pace battle occurs

Race 9 – Alw 85000n1x

  1. #10 J.S. Choice (6-1) – Saez jumps mounts from Portando and Irish Prayer to ride for this Pletcher trainee who ran in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Turf last year
  2. #2 Lucullan (9-2) – Godolphin colt improved with switch to dirt last time out and has room for improvement
  3. #4 Kantune (7-2) – Gets edge over Captain Moss due to better post, but needs to break well to gain position and have chance to wire