Spa selections: Saratoga August 25

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 several New York-bred stakes!

Race 3 – Fleet Indian Stakes

1. #2 Sunset Ridge (1-5) – Doubled her margin of victory from eight lengths to sixteen in last two races, so she should win this one by thirty-two
2. #3 Danielle’s Pride (30-1) – Look for this grey filly to close late into a hot pace in a distance she is most suited to run
3. #1 Five Each Way (6-1) – Assuming this filly and Danielle’s Pride handle the surface change well, they should both be looking to close and attempt to run down Sunset Ridge

Race 5 – Funny Cide Stakes

1. #8 What a Catch (5-2) – Velazquez and Pletcher always get an edge over others in two-year-old races
2. #3 Aveenu Malcainu (7-2) – Colt by Into Mischief draws better post this time, and should be within range in stretch run should pace get out of hand
3. #7 Inalienable Rights (6-1) – Won on a soft surface last time out from the ten post, so should get an easier trip and give an even better performance

Race 7 – Yadoo Stakes

1. #9 Barrel of Dreams (15-1) – Three-for-four at Saratoga and should be sitting off of pace with chance to pounce in stretch run
2. #7 Ack Naughty (4-1) – Will need to be more forwardly placed than last race, but has been solid at both the distance and over this track in her career
3. #8 Fourstar Crook (7-5) – Hard to argue against this mare by Freud who has won eight races in a row, but look elsewhere for better value

Race 8 – Seeking the Ante Stakes

1. #3 Pauseforthecause (6-1) – Will have front of track with jockey Irad Ortiz who is two-for-two with McLaughlin
2. #9 Trouble for Skylar (7-2) – Carmouche rides well for Gargan and particularly well with front-end speed on this filly that won by eight lengths last time
3. #8 I Still Miss You (8-5) – Gets edge over Miss Mystique and Cause We Are Loyal for being best suited to win at distance

Race 9 – West Point Stakes

1. #8 Black Tide (20-1) – Running style plays perfectly into a track that has not been forgiving to closers recently
2. #5 Kharafa (4-1) – Dropping out of graded stakes and should sit off of a hot pace and be in perfect position to win
3. #2 King Kreesa (6-1) – Has improved since trainer switch, and still has something left as an eight-year-old who has earned over $1 million in purses

Race 10 – Albany Stakes

1. #4 Twisted Tom (8-5) – Ran in the Belmont this year for Chad Brown and will be clear favorite in race
2. #7 Minsky Moment (3-1) – Only other in field who can challenge Twisted Tom
3. #5 Broken Engagement (5-2) – Ran second to Twisted Tom last time out, and needs to repeat last race to win