Spa selections 2020: Saratoga picks August 19

by Joseph Aiello | Aug 18, 2020 | Breaking, Handicapping

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Ginger N Rye won the 2017 Smart N Fancy Stakes at Saratoga. Photo by Chelsea Durand/NYRA.

Race 1 – Michael G. Walsh Novice Stakes

1. #2 Fast Car (6-1) – Won his last race here convincingly, and will be better value than Snap Decision plus has a strong jockey trainer combo

2. #1 Snap Decision (1-1) – The most consistent performer here having won his last six tries, but will face his toughest test with a solid field here

3. #4 Galway Kid (9-2) – Ran second to Snap Decision last time and has never finished further back than two lengths from the winner with two wins in four tries

Race 6 – Alw 74000n1x

1. #3 In Front (4-1) – Finally found her ideal distance last time out, and with Joel Rosario this filly can stalk the leaders and take over in the stretch

2. #7 Kitten by the Sea (4-1) – Stepped up in class off the claim last time for trainer Todd Pletcher, nearly winning at this level and keeps Jose Ortiz here

3. #1 Rivendell (9-2) – Closed into a relatively soft pace in her only start to win, and should have no problems here with the extra furlong

Race 7 – Alw 64000n1x

1. #2 Blackjack Davey (2-1) – Irad Ortiz jumps off of Big Thicket to ride this gelding who couldn’t handle the longer distance last time and should improve with the cutback here

2. #5 Quickflash (4-1) – Timing the move will be vital for this grey gelding who may not like the longer distance, but has finished in the money in all six career starts

3. #1 Golani Brigade (5-2) – Hasn’t run since breaking his maiden last year at Saratoga for Chad Brown, but is training well and has more upside than others here

Race 8 – Bolton Landing Stakes

1. #8 Amanzi Yimpilo (8-1) – Wesley Ward has had good success with this race in the past, and enters this filly who won comfortably at five furlongs in her only start

2. #6 Tobys Heart (1-1) – Has been working sharply and won her maiden in a closing effort drawing away from the others in the stretch, she will win if the pace is too fast early

3. #9 Mischievous Dream (8-1) – The only other to have run on the turf, this filly by Into Mischief beat the boys in her only start a month ago at the Spa