Spa selections: Saratoga September 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 including the Lucky Coin Stakes!

Race 8 – OC 62500n2x

1. #1 Truth in the Lies (6-1) – Saw a nice improvement last time with trainer switch to Jason Servis and ran his best race over the Saratoga track
2. #6 Thais (7-2) – Likely post-time favorite with Irad Ortiz Jr. who jumped off of Truth in the Lies to ride for Chad Brown aboard this first-time Lasix filly from overseas
3. #5 Browse (3-1) – Has run two solid races back-to-back after surface switch to turf, and will build off effort last time that should have been a win

Race 9 – Grade III Saranac Stakes

1. #5 Voodoo Song (12-1) – Assuming this colt doesn’t get scratched out after running just ten days ago, he should control the pace and be able to give Bricks and Mortar a run for his money
2. #4 Bricks and Mortar (8-5) – Four-for-four this year and for his career, and could be the start of the cheapest pick three ever
3. #9 Rocketry (6-1) – Take Jose over more likely brother Irad with this closer who can make a move if Mr. Havercamp and Mo Maverick go out with Voodoo Song

Race 10 – Grade I Spinaway Stakes

1. #1 Separationofpowers (6-5) – Will be battling Pure Silver for the front, and even though she is coming out of a first time maiden try, her win was more impressive
2. #4 Pure Silver (1-1) – This race is first in back-to-back fields of five, with the two favorites being the only likely winners, and this filly from the Fletcher barn should have front coming out of dominant grade II win
3. #3 Lady Ivanka (9-2) – If she gets ridiculous fractions from the two favorites, she will be waiting in third to run them down late

Race 11 – Grade I Woodward Stakes

1. #3 Rally Cry (5-2) – His win at Saratoga one day after Gun Runner won the Woodward was equally impressive, and is the only one with a real shot of unseating one of the top horses in North America
2. #2 Gun Runner (2-5) – Won easily in the Whitney, but pick against him again and look for better value in this small field
3. #1 Neolithic (6-1) – Pletcher’s other entry with Jose Ortiz in the irons, who should round out the top three over the unlikely two horses on the outside

Race 12 – Grade III Glens Falls Stakes

1. #5 Grateful (15-1) – Has best race on page in last try, and could very easily unseat classier fillies in this field with the right trip
2. #6 Estrechada (5-1) – Won the grade III Waya a month ago over Lottie, and showed improvement with jockey and track change
3. #2 Lottie (6-1) – Not sure about the distance for War Flag and especially for Harmonize, so go with this filly by Arch who almost beat Estrechada last time