Spa selections 2019: Saratoga August 18

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 – MC 75000

1. #2 Wedontbelieveher (9-2) – Best of the first time starters, and was bet to favorite first time out looking to improve and stalk the leaders

2. #1 Shanny Go Nanny (8-1) – Three solid workouts in eight days makes this filly by Street Sense a likely contender

3. #8 Chaysenbryn (9-2) – Filly by Super Saver might like the sloppy track, despite others like Speed Talks who can improve and Shadilee having some potential

Race 6 – Mdn 90k

1. #4 Finite (5-2) – Showed a bit more speed than Mrs. Danvers last time, and should be in good position for this good jockey trainer duo

2. #6 Mrs. Danvers (8-5) – Could benefit from the slight add in distance from last race where this grey filly by Tapit was bet to favorite

3. #1 Striking Beauty (8-1) – Filly by Curlin has a jockey trainer duo that has won almost half their races together over this year

Race 9 – Summer Colony Stakes

1. #7 Blue Prize (4-5) – Just seems a cut above the rest at this point, running against top company over the last two years and likely to improve with the class drop

2. #5 Alberobello (10-1) – Gets a plus for her dominant win in the slop, and will look to control lead from Skeptic and Tweeting

3. #4 Vexatious (6-1) – A lot of question marks here outside of the favorite means take this regular turfer who may take to the wet dirt surface