Spa selections 2019: Saratoga July 26

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 4 – OC 62500n2x

1. #3 Nonsensical (3-1) – Wasn’t very strong last time out, but her race two back in the slop gives enough hope that she will be the one to step up here

2. #1 Queen of Beas (4-5) – Not a very strong favorite, but in this field with plenty of questions, this filly dropping from a Grade I can still win

3. #2 Viva Forever (6-1) – After winning eight of thirteen last year, this mare has regressed, but still has enough class and potential left to pull things through

Race 7 – Alw 50000s

1. #7 Righteous Ruby (7-2) – Kendrick Carmouche may try and bring this filly to the front, but she has run well stalking the leaders and should continue to win if she does so here

2. #3 Dizzy (6-1) – Drops from a stakes race and has shown some recent improvement, which could give jockey Rajiv Maragh his first win this meet

3. #6 Slimey (6-1) – Anne Dupree is just too inconsistent here, and this filly by Quality Road has been in good form with a nice win recently over the sloppy Saratoga track

Race 9 – Curlin Stakes

1. #3 Looking at Bikinis (5-2) – With little speed in this race, this Brown trainee could sit off slow leaders and run away on a softer track

2. #8 Highest Honors (5-1) – Other Brown trainee should like distance, but would benefit from a slightly faster pace by Intrepid Heart and others

3. #6 Direct Order (10-1) – Luis Saez should keep this colt well off the leaders, hoping for a few to go out two fast for a chance to close with Cairo Cat