Spa selections: Saratoga August 9
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 including the Quick Call Stakes!
Race 2 – OC 40000n2x
- #4 Sunset Ridge (4-5) – Had a 104 speed figure last race out with leading jockey and trainer for this meet
- #1 Silly Sister (3-1) – Only other challenger to Sunset Ridge in five-horse field
- #3 Tiznow’s Smile (4-1) – Moondance Joy is solid here too, but this filly has a little more class running in three straight stakes races
Race 7 – Alw 75000n1x
- #4 Cool as You Like (5-1) – Distance is an issue for this filly who hasn’t gone further than six and a half, but suspect favorites and jockey-trainer combo that is two-for-two gives her top spot
- #1 About That Base (7-2) – Switch back to dirt should help this filly return to her winning trips from last year
- #3 Three Eighty Eight (8-5) – She usually finishes in the money, but never seems to be able to win
Race 8 – Alw 50000s
- #10 On My Toes (5-1) – If he repeats last race for trainer Brad Cox, he should win off of pace
- #2 Silver Mangolia (8-1) – Four-year-old filly by Kitten’s Joy is finally hitting her stride with 97 speed figure in last race win
- #1 Desert Duchess (7-2) – Loses jockey Javier Castellano to City Section, but this filly is best of rest in a tough race that anyone could win
Race 9 – Quick Call Stakes
- #2 Mongo Nation (7-2) – Mad dash to the front leaves this colt by Speightstown to close from off the pace
- #1 Blind Ambition (5-2) – Simply can’t count out Castellano-Pletcher combo in feature races despite faster horses at distance like Expedited Vision and Indy Hill
- #4 The Money Monster (5-1) – Real head-scratcher who has no turf experience and some awful races, but trainer Mott always has tricks up his sleeve
