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Spa selections 2019: Saratoga September 1

by | Aug 31, 2019 | Breaking, Handicapping

Pret Say Eye

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 – Alw 92000n1x

1. #3 Restructure (5-2) – Showed some good speed in her last and only try on the turf, and a repeat performance could help her run down others in the stretch

2. #8 I’llhandalthecash (3-1) – A stalking trip may be better than going to the front, but she can still contend early and might be a better number on the board

3. #7 My Galina (9-5) – Drop in class should lead to some improvement, but it will be hard for this filly to hang on late if she battles for the lead

Race 10 – Alw 50000s

1. #7 Smokin Deb (3-1) – If she holds off Carrizo early, this Jonathan Thomas trainee should be able to wire this field dropping from two stakes races

2. #9 Untaken (8-1) – Odd move for a mare that seems to want much longer distance, but a scenario where Smoking Deb and Carrizo fade late sets up for her

3. #3 Excess Capacity (8-1) – This Rice trainee could take advantage of a nice stalking trip and will be a much better number than Carrizo

Race 11 – Grade I Spinaway Stakes

1. #7 Shippy (9-2) – Jose Ortiz leaves to ride Risky Mischief to her inside, but this filly will improve on a dry track and was bet to favorite last time in the Schuylerville

2. #2 Frank’s Rockette (8-5) – This is her race to lose after narrowly missing Perfect Alibi in the Adirondack, and a better timed move by Leparoux should win here

3. #4 Miss Peppina (15-1) – Can’t ignore Perfect Alibi here, but with a likely pace duel up front, this closer could make a nice move in the stretch

Race 12 – Alw 80000n1x

1. #5 Opt (7-2) – Picks up Javier Castellano and has been very close in his last two, and although he may want a bit more distance he still has a nice closing kick

2. #3 Risky Sour (12-1) – This seven year gelding certainly has plenty of experience, and despite one career win in almost fifty tries, he seems to be running well and can hit the board

3. #11 Saltking (6-1) – Hard to figure out who the pace will be, and an inconsistent favorite in Graded On a Curve means take this colt by Animal Kingdom who will like this distance