Spa selections 2019: Saratoga July 13
Pret Say Eye was antsy early, strong late for trainer Lacey Gaudet (left) at Saratoga in 2016. 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, including all of the exciting stakes action!
Race 3 – Grade III Sanford Stakes
1. #5 By Your Side (5-2) – Irad Ortiz should have this bay colt sitting perfectly off leaders to take over at top of stretch
2. #3 Cucina (8-5) – Might be a bit over-bet, but this strong jockey trainer duo should be enough to set up off of Tomato Bill and a stretching-out Raging Whiskey
3. #1 Memorable (6-1) – Getting a number here may be the only opportunity to find a steal in this five horse field, and this Asmussen trainee will be in the mix with a bounce back effort
Race 7 – Alw 80000n1x
1. #9 Amundson (4-1) – In a group filled with inconsistency, take a chance here with a strong jockey trainer duo and a gelding that found its stride in his last try
2. #8 Red Zinger (3-1) – Went out too fast last time out, but sitting off the leaders should prove that three straight bullet works means he is in top form
3. #3 Kazmania (10-1) – Special Story gives a better chance at finding the board, but take a chance here for a longshot play
Race 9 – Grade I Diana Stakes
1. #4 Sistercharlie (8-5) – In what may be renamed the Peter Brant & Chad Brown Stakes, this mare is simply a cut above the rest in a strong six horse field
2. #2 Rushing Fall (9-5) – The key for this filly is not getting tied up with Mitchell Road and keeping the fractions slow, but less accomplished closers like Homerique have the advantage
3. #5 Secret Message (12-1) – Will be charging home with Homerique, and has some good value to find her way onto the board or in exotics
Race 10 – Alw 92000n1x
1. #8 Hersh (4-1) – With the track playing towards closers, it will be hard for Ruler of the Nile and to hang on late, leaving this colt who won here last year to have the final kick
2. #5 Payne (6-5) – Not great value, but will win here if new jockey Javier Castellano can correctly time his move
3. #4 Uber Kirk (5-1) – Toss up here between this colt and Where Paradise Lay, but class edge goes here
