Spa selections 2019: Saratoga August 25

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 Enthusiastic Gal (9-2) – Jose Lezcano stays, and this seven year old mare is still in good form, running well in a Grade III earlier this year

2. #1 Eye on Berlin (10-1) – A little cheaper, but has won three of her last four and was not overmatched in her most recent stakes try

3. #8 Originator (2-1) – Came off a long layoff to win by a neck last time out, and is the most talented in this field and should win with the right trip

Race 8 – Better Talk Now Stakes

1. #6 Regally Irish (15-1) – Has run well at a mile, and should be stalking the potential leaders like Bulletin at a nice price for trainer Graham Motion

2. #5 Performer (6-1) – Winning Travers trainer McGaughey switches surfaces with this colt by Speightstown who could shake things up here

3. #1 Front Run the Fed (2-1) – Bulletin is unproven at this distance, and this colt should be better suited to stalk a hot pace and take over late

Race 9 – Alw 92000n1x

1. #2 Meet Me in L A (5-2) – A bit of a void in a pace setter could allow this Jerkens trainee to control the race or sit off a leader with soft fractions and run away late

2. #3 And Seek (6-1) – Drops in class from a stakes and has run well off the layoff, also being a benefactor of little pace here

3. #5 Fireball Shot (8-1) – Took him nineteen tries to finally break maiden, but this five year old horse is always involved and won’t have to do as much as Tapit Wise