Spa selections 2022: Saratoga picks August 20

In Spa Selections, Saratoga correspondent Joseph Aiello provides Saratoga picks for a handful of key races at Saratoga, including all of the exciting stakes action!

Follow along all meet with all the exciting action (and good betting opportunities)!

Race 7 – Maiden 105k

1. #3 Summonyourcourage (9-2) – Adds blinkers and has more experience than the others here, with improving speed figures in every try so far and a chance to be more forward here

2. #5 Echo Again (9-5) – Rosario and Asmussen with Winchell are tough connections to pass up for this grey colt by Gun Runner who makes his debut here

3. #1 Expected Value (7-2) – Flavian Prat has hit his stride more recently in his first full summer at Saratoga, and guides this first timer colt by Flatter here

4. #6 Spinzar (8-1) – McGaughey sends out this unraced colt by Tapit to take on a highly regarded group but has a hefty price tag and comes in with high expectations of his own

Race 8 – Grade II Lake Placid Stakes

1. #4 Consumer Spending (7-2) – Finished third by a length last time in the Grade I Belmont Oaks, but has done her best running at shorter distances

2. #3 Eminent Victor (5-1) – Was the favorite last time in the Grade III Lake George, only losing by a nose to her stablemate and can have winning chances with a better trip here

3. #1 With The Moonlight (9-5) – This filly by Frankel won the Saratoga Derby Invitational as the odds on favorite, but probably prefers to go further than this although could have the lead

4. #8 Koala Princess (12-1) – Was close in the Lake George, and should be a good price here with a chance to close if the pace is faster than expected

Race 9 – Smart N Fancy Stakes

1. #7 Illegal Smile (8-1) – Seems like a good value play in this spot, with a solid running style and good record at the distance plus has been putting in some sharp figures recently

2. #5 Too Sexy (5-1) – Gets Rosario and has a good record hitting the board, plus won at Saratoga last year and could get the right pace set up to close into

3. #8 Lady Edith (8-1) – Comes out of two straight grade III tries, benefitting from a fast pace last time and should get similar pace this time around

4. #6 Miss J McKay (4-1) – This mare seems destined for a breakthrough win at Saratoga, as Irad Ortiz and Clement have yet to win together this meet

Race 10 – Grade I Alabama Stakes

1. #4 Nest (1-2) – Just a cut above the others here, and after her Coaching Club romp, it would be tough to make a case for others if she runs like that again

2. #3 Gerrymander (7-2) – This Klaravich filly by Into Mischief ran sharp in the Grade II Mother Goose Stakes and has some upside adding distance here but needs a slower pace

3. #7 Secret Oath (4-1) – This filly by Arrogate is clearly best when rating, but without many who tend to set quick fractions this may be a tough spot although early positioning is key

4. #5 Nostalgic (12-1) – A cut below the top three, but still competitive and one that has fared well on dry dirt courses throughout her career

Race 11 – Claiming 30000n3L

1. #4 Wicked Fast (7-2) – Comes out of an optional claimer and won an allowance try two back, so should be played purely off of the class drops and has been competitive in seven career tries

2. #7 Aviano (3-1) – Got beat thoroughly last time out, but won a high level allowance recently and is six for eight in the money on the turf lifetime

3. #9 Cause to Cruise (10-1) – Has been in the mix in cheaper races at Indiana and Fair Grounds, but at least shows some good closing kicks that could put him in the money at a price

4. #6 Saratoga Flash (6-1) – Has primarily run in state bred races, but still drops from an optional claimer and has a win at this distance

  • Tiz the Law was much the best in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga. Photo by NYRA.
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