Spa selections 2023: Saratoga picks august 27

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 2 – Fleet Indian Stakes

1. #1 Amanda’s Folly (9-5) – Might get an easier trip for Linda Rice with Irad Ortiz in the irons similar to her last try, and joins Ichiban as the only ones who have gone nine furlongs 

2. #4 Timely Conquest (7-5) – This filly by Accelerate won convincingly here two weeks ago and has won on and off the pace, but stretches in distance which may change her running style

3. #5 Ichiban (3-1) – Jose Ortiz opted for this Linda Rice entry over Amanda’s Folly, with two wins this meet and a likely winner if the top two choices battle with each other early and tire

4. #3 Cairo Sugar (4-1) – Not quite as fast as the top three, but could be pushed towards the lead early and is eight for ten in the money on dirt lifetime plus distance won’t be an issue

Race 3 – West Point Stakes

1. #2 Dakota Gold (5-2) – Closed from fourteen lengths off the lead last time in the Lure to nearly win, and seems to be in good form plus will be better value than City Man

2. #3 City Man (2-1) – Comes off a layoff from May, but has been consistently solid in this company the last two years, with four top two finishes in five tries over this turf course

3. #5 Jerry the Nipper (6-1) – Hasn’t always fared the best in stakes company, but has a but of speed and enters off a win over this track with improving speed figures this year

4. #6 Spirit of St Louis (9-5) – Easy to see the potential for this Chad Brown trainee, but faces a much better field here than last time and might not be the best price to play

Race 4 – Funny Cide Stakes

1. #6 The Wine Steward (2-1) – This colt by Vino Rosso ran maybe the best race of this group last time winning an open company states at this distance, and a repeat should be good enough

2. #1 El Grande O (6-1) – Adds blinkers after a second place finish in the mud, plus benefits from dropping from an open stakes race into state bred company here

3. #5 Trust Fund (5-2) – Won last time at six furlongs and should be a one turn colt going forward by Practical Joke, and has winning chances with the right positioning and trip 

4. #4 Whatchatalkinabout (3-1) – Solid if unspectacular in his debut, but was pulling away from his field a bit in the stretch and should improve with the added furlong here

Race 5 – Yaddo Handicap 

1. #5 Runaway Rumour (3-1) – Hasn’t been winning lately, but remains the classiest runner in this group and has some of the better races of this field as she drops from a tougher field

2. #2 New Ginya (8-1) – Not as classy as some others, but always consistent and should be better with a return to turf after running on a sloppy off surface last time

3. #8 Whatlovelookslike (5-2) – Should be near the speed, winning her last three races and never finishing worst than second in five career tries at Saratoga 

4. #4 She’s Dancing (4-1) – Spungie has been very consistent with winning chances given the right trip, but this mare ran a ridiculous race in her first turf try which could win here if repeated

Race 7 – Seeking the Ante Stakes

1. #6 Stellamaris (5-2) – Ran here first time out just two weeks ago against the best field of anyone in this race, and even though she didn’t win, she has more upside than the others

2. #1 Caldwell Luvs Gold (3-1) – Closed from second to last to win in her debut in late July here, and is the only one to win at six furlongs which is a plus for a two year old

3. #5 Concerti (7-2) – Went gate to wire earlier this meet in her debut, and should be able to control the pace which could be dangerous if the slower Cara’s Time provides little pressure

4. #2 My Shea D Lady (3-1) – Had a nice win at five furlongs where she ran away from the field in the stretch, but will need another perfect stalking trip sitting in third or fourth to win here

Race 10 – Albany Stakes 

1. #4 Mariachi (5-2) – Takes a step up in class and stretches out another three furlongs, but her win last time was the best race of anyone in this field, and a slower pace gives her a chance

2. #6 Drake’s Passage (2-1) – Took a major step forward last time, still with plenty left after sitting off a quick pace at a mile and could benefit from others doing the dirty work here

3. #2 Maker’s Candy (9-5) – Has won at this level, but might lack the speed of some others in here so will need the right scenario to stalk off the leaders and hope to pass them late

4. #5 Jackson Heights (12-1) – One that should be moving late, but Rosario will need to make sure he doesn’t fall too far back early so he can close into third or fourth

Race 11 – Mdn 88k

1. #6 Autumn (7-2) – This McGaughey trainee made a huge move last time to finish within two lengths, and should be a threat from off the pace if the fractions are faster than expected

2. #12 Starts Now (3-1) – Tough post along with Lady Laoban, but three near wins in a row on turf and adds blinkers so should be a bit closer and in striking range here

3. #4 Boston Strong Mama (8-1) – Stretches out in distance, but adds lasix and nearly won first time out so can be a factor with a step forward even with the step up in class

4. #3 Splashy (10-1) – A repeat of her race two back on the turf has a chance of winning here, so Rosario will need to be keen with this Clement filly at a good price

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