Spa selections 2023: Saratoga picks September 3 * The Racing Biz

Spa selections 2023: Saratoga picks September 3

Joseph Aiello
September 2, 2023

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)!

Fierceness installed as Kentucky Derby favorite
Florida Derby winner and two-year-old champion Fierceness has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

Race 7 – Alw 50000s

1. #5 Lord Flintshire (8-1) – Typically runs well but only has one win in nineteen career tries, this gelding by Flintshire seems due for a big effort and should be the right price

2. #1A Jarreau (3-1) – The better of the two in this entry, this Michael Maker trainee keeps Irad Ortiz and could win with a repeat of his performance last race at this distance

3. #2 Ski Patrol (7-2) – Off the claim for Linda Rice, this runner ran well last time in a tough claiming race, now getting a more manageable post and some added distance

4. #3 Born a Gambler (8-1) – Harry Hood broke his maiden against better, but this gelding is more experienced and has been in the mix this year against this company

Race 8 – Alw 50000s

1. #11 Can’t Fool Me (12-1) – Tough post, but worth a play given the value and returns back to her ideal racing surface where she can be dangerous coming from off the pace

2. #10 Dontmesswithtess (5-2) – Has fared well this year against similar company, but might be a bit better coming from mid pack or off the leaders rather than her usual deep closing style

3. #9 Proud Foot (10-1) – One of her better races this year was three back at this meet for Linda Rice on turf, and now gets back to turf with a bit more distance to close into

4. #2 Miscreant (8-1) – A couple others like Diamond Status and Miss Kristy make sense here, but this one has some better turf tries including a close third two back at Gulfstream Park

Race 9 – Grade I Spinaway Stakes

1. #9 Brightwork (5-2) – Trending up in three career starts without a loss, and won a grade III easily last time over this track plus should be close to the lead here with Irad Ortiz

2. #8 Ways and Means (7-5) – Was hugely impressive in her debut, as this filly by Practical Joke beat her field by twelve lengths so extra distance in the future shouldn’t be an issue

3. #3 Sugar High (6-1) – Had a strong debut winning by six lengths early this meet, and should be fresh entering here with some upside at good value but will need to improve

4. #7 Wonder Ride (12-1) – The only one to win at seven furlongs, this filly benefitted from sitting off a slower pace first time out but should be close to the leaders here

Race 10 – MC 40000

1. #1 Jet City Woman (4-1) – Her race last time was maybe just a bit too far, so cutting back in distance should benefit this filly especially if she comes from off the pace like two back

2. #3 Whiskey Lullaby (9-2) – Will need to control the early pace to have real winning chances, but at the very least this is one that can hold on in the money even if she fades late

3. #8 Addressable Market (7-2) – This Klaravich and Brown runner has failed as favorite twice in three tries, but still has more upside than some others here coming from mid pack

4. #9 Dark Pool (5-1) – Lakeside Getaway might have more upside to finish in the money, but this one ran well in her debut at this distance and could be in the mix with improvement