Spa selections: Saratoga August 2

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, including the $100,000 Shine Again Stakes.

Race 3 – Alw 50000s

1. #6 Long Night (10-1) – Set blistering fractions last month at Belmont, so this first time gelding should have the front on a turf course that has lacked closing victories
2. #4 Shamcat (9-2) – Loses Irad Ortiz, but seems to perform best on turf out of this group
3. #8 Astounding (3-1) – Stretches in distance for trainer Jason Servis, but is well set up for possible closing run

Race 7 – OC 40000n2x

1. #7 Nevisian Sky (9-2) – Jose Ortiz and Chad Brown jockey trainer combo is tough to beat with this four year old gelding
2. #11 Startup Nation (7-2) – Other Brown entry has tougher post and will need to run better than Nevisian Sky, but has Javier Castellano and two wins at Saratoga at this distance
3. #9 Spin Cycle (20-1) – Tough to decide last spot here, but this Kimmel trainee by Hard Spun can possibly steal depending on break at gate

Race 8 – Alw 85000n1x

1. #4 Church Social (5-2) – Stretch in distance should work well for this four year old filly by Pulpit
2. #5 Violet Blue (6-1) – Only one to win at distance and is dropping in class from a Grade I race at Belmont
3. #7 Homeland Security (9-2) – Irad Ortiz has had success with this filly in two starts

Race 9 – Shine Again Stakes

1. #7 Clipthecouponannie (5-1) – Has racing style best suited for this track and can edge Carina Mia if she isn’t in top form
2. #3 Carina Mia (2-1) – Jockey and trainer switch should be fresh start for clear best filly who hasn’t won in over a year
3. #9 Pawleys Express (12-1) – Need to be forward placed to have chance to win on this track, so this mare by Afleet Express gets the edge over Indulgent and Going for Broke