Spa selections: Saratoga August 23

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 John’s Call Stakes!

Race 1 – Michael G. Walsh Novice Stakes

1. #6 My Afleet (7-2) – This gelding by Afleet Alex has won a race by 34 lengths
2. #8 Moscato (3-1) – Has been in the money in every race this year including two impressive wins
3. #1 Wigwam Baby (5-1) – Gets an edge over others with strong performance in Mrs. Ogden Phipps Stakes

1. #2 Seeking the Soul (4-1) – Flashy Jewel provides the speed, this four-year-old colt closes and passes others in stretch
2. #3 Flashy Jewel (3-1) – With the right fractions, this gelding may be able to hold on at wire
3. #5 Destin (6-5) – Won’t offer much in terms of value, isn’t in great form, and should probably be bet around, but Pletcher chose to put Velazquez on this colt over Donegal Moon

Race 8 – John’s Call Stakes

1. #3 Infinite Wisdom (2-1) – Issues with rest of field leave race open for this Brian Lynch trainee
2. #5 Renown (10-1) – Has run this far and almost won this race last year with a strong effort
3. #6 Nessy (4-1) – Red Rifle seems to fade when asked to run this far, leaving a strong closing stretch run to this four-year-old gelding

Race 9 – OC 40000n2x

1. #6 Voodoo Song (3-1) – Has won both starts at Saratoga and jockey-trainer combo of Lezcano and Rice has won over half of their races together this meet
2. #8 Nevisian Sky (8-5) – Even better jockey-trainer combo, but steps up in class
3. #5 Yummy Bear (15-1) – Toss up here between this gelding and Zigarch, but either can close into a hot pace provided by Voodoo Song and The J Y if they get the right rides