Spa selections 2023: Saratoga picks JULY 29

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 – Mdn 136.5k 

1. #6 Drum Roll Please (6-1) – Pennsylvania bred colt by Hard Spun might be one to aim for the early lead for Brad Cox and should be a fair price with chances if he breaks well

2. #8 Lambo (4-1) – With a price tag near a million as a two year old, this second time starter looks to improve after a distant place in his debut and has upside here

3. #9 Global Perspective (6-1) – Prat has ridden well this meet for Brown, this time getting a Klaravich colt by Tapit who could factor into the mix here

4. #4 Dornoch (2-1) – Hard to overlook this colt by Good Magic who recently clocked in an impressive four furlong bullet work at forty six and two just a week ago over the dirt track

Race 8 – Grade I Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap

1. #5 Gunite (8-5) – Not quite on the tear of Elite Power, but should be a bit closer to the lead and has won both tries off the bench including last time out plus runs well at Saratoga

2. #4 Elite Power (4-5) – Winner of seven straight for Bill Mott, this five year old horse by Curlin has won four straight graded races including the Breeder’s Cup Sprint so is the one to beat

3. #6 Dean Delivers (8-1) – Sneaky good contender who might be good enough to upset here, recently winning his first graded race and has finished no worse than second at six furlongs

4. #7 Little Vic (15-1) – This classy colt by Practical Joke hasn’t been his best recently and would need to step forward to have winning chances, but has a grade III win under his belt 

Race 9 – Alw 149500n1x

1. #9 New Ginya (8-1) – Only one finish out of the money in ten tries, this filly by Tonalist has been a consistent performer in his career with a good chance at this distance

2. #5 Expand the Map (7-2) – Not his best for Chad Brown and Klaravich last time, but keeps Irad Ortiz and is another consistent runner generally even with five seconds

3. #11 Spungie (9-2) – Comes out of two straight stakes races and off a long layoff from December, this mare should improve returning to turf where she has been her best

4. #4 No Show Jammy Jo (4-1) – Ran a decent fourth in her debut, only to be better positioned from the gate last time out ending in a win so seems to be improving 

Race 10 – Grade II Jim Dandy Stakes

1. #2 Forte (7-5) – Irad Ortiz has been the best rider so far this meet, and should be able to keep Forte close enough to put him back in the mix as the top three year old colt in the country

2. #5 Angel of Empire (5-2) – Slight edge over his stablemate who may have more upside in this small field, but a solid Belmont and closer placement to Saudi Crown puts him in the mix

3. #4 Saudi Crown (5-2) – Should get far easier fractions in this one after a valiant effort in the Dwyer, but needs to prove he can go this far even if he may have the front to himself

4. #1 Disarm (6-1) – Ran well in the Derby considering his positioning, and with less traffic and more forward placement by Joel Rosario, this improving colt by Gun Runner could surprise

Race 11 – Alw 95000n1x

1. #8 Busy Morning (4-1) – Had a rough effort last time as the favorite amongst similar class, but comes off a layoff and has a race three back that could put this filly in the winner’s circle 

2. #9 Act of Congress (7-2) – Back to back wire to wire victories for this filly, plus Jose Ortiz has won five of seven races for Bruce Levine this past year

3. #3 Snowy Evening (4-1) – This deep closer by Frosted probably is best suited going further, but if John Velazquez can have her a bit closer to the lead than last race she can hit the board

4. #7 Kerry (6-1) – Gets the benefit of dropping from a few stakes races, but would still need to improve to be a factor here with Saez in the irons

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