Spa selections 2019: Saratoga August 3

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 5 – Grade III Troy Stakes

1. #1 World of Trouble (3-5) – We’ve seen Mitole get pressured by a horse to his outside, and this could be a similar scenario with Pure Sensation, but still too good and first one out wins

2. #5 Wet Your Whistle (8-1) – Most likely beneficiary of pace duel, has won all three tries this year including a Grade I in his last, and Alex Cintron has already upset at Saratoga

3. #6 Lenster (15-1) – Cheaper than these, but strong back to back wins at this distance and a good stalking trip give this colt every chance to takeover at the top of the stretch

Race 7 – Fasig-Tipton Lure Stakes

1. #2 Lucullan (3-1) – Has the running style best suited for this race, is two for two at this distance, and had a good win coming off a long layoff last time

2. #6 Say the Word (12-1) – Should be mid pack, and showed some serious turn of foot last time; could be a great chance for a potential career day for Junior Alvarado

3. #8 Ticonderoga (4-1) – Any pace from Voodoo Song and Gidu will set up for this classy closer who likes this track and distance

Race 8 – Grade I Longines Test Stakes

1. #5 Royal Charlotte (3-1) – Javier Castellano is the perfect jockey to time a closing move with this undefeated filly as others try to vie for the lead

2. #2 Bellafina (2-1) – Should be in a prime position sitting off the leaders and gets a plus for being strong at this distance and running well off the layoff

3. #1 Serengeti Empress (7-2) – Covfefe might compromise this filly with early speed, but the bullet workout and jockey make her impossible to ignore

Race 9 – Grade I Whitney Stakes

1. #8 Preservationist (3-1) – In a field which lacks true front runners and plenty of stalkers, this horse should benefit the most, and might find his sweet spot in this distance

2. #6 McKinzie (7-5) – This Baffert trainee has had a troubling trend of narrow losses, but showed some versatility in his last try and should have a stalking trip

3. #4 Thunder Snow (3-1) – Yoshida and Vino Rosso need more speed, and this horse seems to always find himself in the mix and should like this track

Race 10 – Fasig-Tipton De La Rose Stakes

1. #1 Desert Isle (20-1) – Have a feeling this could be a race for a longshot, especially one with a stalking or forwardly placed trip with plenty of closers and a dry turf course playing to speed

2. #8 Get Stormy (3-1) – Has been running against better company, keeps Tyler Gaffalione and every win has come at a mile; timing will be the difference between first and second

3. #9 Stella di Camelot (4-1) – Tough post, but this Brown trainee closed well in her last try and could win here with a repeat of that performance