Spa selections 2019: Saratoga July 19

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 7 – OC 62500n2x

1. #9 Pillar Mountain (5-2) – Rosario chose to ride this colt for Team Valor International, and will win here with a repeat of last race

2. #7 Lemonist (7-2) – Consistently in the money, and should be in the mix late with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.

3. #3 Sentry (6-1) – Cape Angel might like shorter distances, and Krewe Chief can be played at a number and in exotics, but Manny Franco has good experience with this gelding

Race 8 – OC 80000n3x

1. #6 He Hate Me (10-1) – Struggles on muddy surfaces, but has a recent bullet workout and should be in good position to win here

2. #2 Engage (8-5) – Has some trouble winning and might be overbet, but still the best in this field and drops from a Grade III

3. #7 Bon Raison (5-1) – More pace in this race could give Honorable Treasure or Seven Trumpets a chance here, but this colt’s try two back is one of the best in the field

Race 9 – Grade III Lake George Stakes

1. #4 Dogtag (5-2) – Telling that Castellano took this mount over Blowout, and if Stillwater Cove provides some pace, this grey filly will win

2. #7 Blowout (2-1) – Soft fractions could allow this Brown trainee to sit off the leaders and take over in the stretch

3. #1 Regal Glory (7-2) – Almost ran down The Mackey Bullet last time, and will rely on a quicker pace, but sitting mid to back early will give her every chance as the “third” Brown entry