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Spa selections: Saratoga July 29

by | Jul 29, 2018 | Breaking, Handicapping

Pret Say Eye

Pret Say Eye was antsy early, strong late for trainer Lacey Gaudet (left) at Saratoga in 2016. 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, including all of the exciting stakes action!

Race 6 – OC 80000n1x

  1. #11 Lemonade Thursday (12-1) – Delacour trainee had a strong effort in first try on turf last race, and could repeat that performance in a crowded field at a good price
  2. #7 Outback Bob (20-1) – First time gelding had a rough trip last time, but his try two back and some pace to run into gives him a great chance
  3. #1 Industrial Logic (8-1) – Other Brown trainee Vegas Kitten may seem more likely, but this gelding by Candy Ride has more upside but will also need decent fractions to close into

Race 7 – Alw 87000 n1x

  1. #5 Have Another (6-1) – Three wins already this year including two at this distance which is better than others in this field
  2. #2 Souper Catch (9-2) – Hasn’t had great success as of late, but has been running at distances that don’t suit his style, cutback to seven furlongs should help him improve
  3. #1 Runaway Lute (2-1) – This entry gets the edge over Tommy T thanks to an impressive win at seven furlongs in his last try

Race 8 – OC 62500n2x

  1. #1 Maniacal (6-1) – Seems to be hitting his stride in his five year old campaign and may have found his race at five and a half on the turf; should be sitting behind initial flurry at the break
  2. #6 New York’s Finest (8-1) – An impressive four wins in four tries at the Spa, but with many others contending for what could be a torrid pace, will be tough to get win number five
  3. #2 Battle in Seattle (9-2) – In this contentious race, take the connections of Irad Ortiz and Graham Motion with a gelding that can close if everything collapses

Race 9 – Grade III Shuvee Stakes

  1. #6 Pacific Wind (7-2) – Irad Ortiz left Verve’s Tale to ride this filly by Curlin who is coming out of the Grade I Ogden Phipps Stakes and runs well off the layoff
  2. #4 Wow Cat (8-5) – Can’t really go wrong with the filly who is eight for eight in her career, but with all races being last year and overseas, there are questions of how she will run here
  3. #1 Frost Wise (15-1) – Had a bad try last time that could be attributed to the first time use of blinkers, but could see a wire to wire scenario with this filly