Spa selections 2018: Saratoga August 15

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 3 – OC 62500n2x

1. #4 Greatreviews (3-1) – Not the best effort last time, but can mostly be a result of the muddy track, a faster course here would be a huge advantage

2. #5 Pacific Gale (8-1) – Has the most back class of this group having won a stakes in September and seems to be in good enough form to compete at what should be her distance

3. #3 Posse Needed (9-5) – No Need to Appeal seems to fade in every stretch run, leaving this Hennig trainee with leading rider Irad Ortiz to come from mid pack

Race 9 – Bolton Landing Stakes

1. #6 Elsa (5-1) – Filly by Animal Kingdom showed the most promise and upside last time with a nearly four length win and should be able to close into a decent pace in this sprint

2. #3 Shang Shang Shang (9-5) – The best of Wesley Ward’s three entries having won a Grade II at the Royal Ascot overseas in late June

3. #2 Drynachan (3-1) – Gets a little less value than Elsa, but should also be coming late if the others make a dash to the front for the lead

Race 10 – MC 75000

1. #3 Heza Kitten (5-1) – First time gelding gets Jose Ortiz off Midnight Tea Time and should be able to close into a decent pace set by the outside entries

2. #8 King Orb (7-2) – Pletcher trainee has run in three straight open maidens and is close to wins involved in some fast fractions; probably the horse to beat here

3. #2 Midnight Tea Time (3-1) – Graham Motion has been surprisingly winless here with over twenty starts, but has a great chance to get a win with this colt by Midnight Lute