Spa selections 2024: Saratoga picks July 13 * The Racing Biz

Spa selections 2024: Saratoga picks July 13

Joseph Aiello
July 12, 2024

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)!

LRL: Chipotle holds off Prince of Jericho in Sunday feature
Chipotle concluded his sophomore season in a big way, winning a third-level allowance at Laurel Park for the sixth win of his campaign.

Race 2 – Grade III Kelso Stakes

1. #2 Mysterious Night (8-5) – Moved a bit too late in the Grade III Poker here last month, but still remains the best in here if he runs his race in a stalking position

2. #4 Talk of the Nation (2-1) – This Pletcher trainee has hit the board in every try at eight furlongs on the turf, looking for his first graded win here after a few near misses

3. #5 Carl Spackler (2-1) – Didn’t get the best trip last time in the Poker, but still has some strong performances over this course and could be a fair price off of a loss

4. #3 Northern Invader (5-1) – Might be a slight notch below the top three, but has enough class and almost always puts his best foot forward with some trip versatility

Race 9 – OC 62500n2x

1. #10 Taking Candy (10-1) – Hasn’t run since September over this turf course, but comes out of a grade III and has enough upside from on or off the pace to win

2. #8 Irish Aces (2-1) – Also drops from a grade III, but may have to close from well off the lead and will likely be a short price without a clear cut top choice here

3. #7 Georgie W (8-1) – Takes blinkers off and gets Irad Ortiz, showing an upward trend in his speed figures which puts him in the mix with the top contenders here

4. #3 Phileas Fogg (12-1) – Could show some early speed from post two, with a repeat of his most recent turf race at this distance good enough to steal a win here

Race 10 – Grade I Diana Stakes

1. #4 Didia (7-2) – If any runner can stop the Chad Brown reign in the Diana, it is this Ignacio Correas trainee who won at Saratoga last month and is good at nine furlongs

2. #10 Chili Flag (9-2) – Has been hugely impressive recently, winning four of her last five races and runs particularly well with Irad Ortiz in the irons who returns

3. #1 Moira (5-1) – Certainly has the class, but has had winning issues recently finishing second in a slew of races, even if she should be a factor late here

4. #6 Whitebeam (4-1) – Won this race last year for Chad Brown, now one of his five entries here and flies under the radar after her near loss last race

Race 11 – Grade III Sanford Stakes

1. #6 Studlydoright (7-2) – Impressive in the Tremont a month ago here, now will hope for Mentee to go out in similar fractions this time and should like the extra furlong

2. #8 Mo Plex (6-1) – Can’t ignore a colt who won by ten lengths in his debut, but now steps up in class and will need to continue to improve to have winning chances here

3. #1 Mentee (6-5) – Won’t be able to win if he goes out in similar fractions to his debut, but having control of this race if the pace is more modest could be enough

4. #5 Three Echoes (4-1) – Needs to sit in a stalking position to conserve some energy, but has enough upside to win here with the right set up and trip

Race 12 – OClm 35000

1. #2 Dr Oseran (7-2) – Might end up being too short a price due to the connections, but without a real standout here, this colt has versatility to rate or be on the lead

2. #6 Sugar Gray Leonard (6-1) – Drops in class which should lead to some improvement, and could get the right set up to come from off the pace here

3. #1 Final Verdict (6-1) – Ran his first turf race last time out and was disqualified from first, but showed ability to go gate to wire and could be a threat to do so here

4. #8 Playground Legend (12-1) – Has hit the board in all four tries at this distance, and even if he isn’t a likely winner, should finish well to be in the mix