Spa selections 2019: Saratoga August 9
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 – OC 62500n2x
1. #2 Spinoff (2-1) – Lone Sailor will win if Lighthawk and Flowers for Lisa provide any pace, but if Velazquez stalks the leaders, this distance should be about as far as this colt by Hard Spun can go
2. #6 Control Group (8-1) – Has run well at the Spa, and should also let others take the lead hoping for a collapse in the stretch where he can take over
3. #5 Cairo Cat (12-1) – Lone Sailor and Flowers for Lisa are better picks to come in the money, but need a few things to break their way to win, so take this longshot who will like the distance
Race 8 – OC 62500n2x
1. #5 Dream Passage (4-1) – This Cox trainee keeps Rosario and has two solid wins at this distance where she went wire to wire and could win from the front here
2. #4 Malakeh (2-1) – Softer turf surface might benefit this four year old filly who ran a close second off the layoff at this distance in April
3. #9 Andina Del Sur (3-1) – Binti Al Nar hasn’t showed much against better competition, and although this Albertrani trainee hasn’t won since last year, she’s close to a breakthrough
MTO Pick: #3 Miss Mystique (8-1) – Especially in the case of a sloppy track, this filly should be able to go wire to wire if she has enough for this longer distance
Race 9 – Tale of the Cat Stakes
1. #3 Pat On the Back (2-1) – Prefers shorter distances, and with other battling for the front, this five year old is a good bet to finish well in the money
2. #7 Bon Raison (12-1) – Can certainly give Ruler of the Nile a play at a number, and He Hate Me beat this colt last time, but he was charging late and will improve in his second try with Irad
3. #2 Killybegs Captain (5-2) – Stumbled at the start of his last race and still finished strong against better, and should improve with class drop
