Spa selections 2024: Saratoga picks August 22
Cover photo by NYRA/Adam Coglianese.
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)!
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 2: Grade II Ballston Spa Stakes
1. #4 Beaute Cachee (5-2) – Dettori leaves Coppice to ride this grey mare who may not be the best in here, but could control the pace and is sharp at this distance
2. #2 Coppice (5-2) – May be the most talented of the Chad Brown runners in here, with some recent efforts where she had too much ground to gain but is live in this spot
3. #5 Gina Romantica (9-5) – Nearly caught Whitebeam in the Diana who sat on a slow pace, this mare may not get the right pace set up but should still make a late charge
4. #1 Surprisingly (6-1) – The only runner in the main group of five who isn’t trained by Chad Brown, this Pletcher mare hasn’t been winning, but has been keeping good class
RACE 3: Alw 110000n1x
1. #4 Glittering Lights (9-5) – Maybe this filly goes off at a slightly fairer number, recently coming off a stake effort and appearing to want more distance to run into
2. #7 Justdeny (4-1) – The only one to win at this distance, and even though that was in maiden company, this filly by Justify has plenty to build on with a mid pack trip
3. #3 Sy B (2-1) – Back to back graded tries gives this filly some class relief here, and despite her distant finish last time, the added ground shouldn’t be a problem
4. #1 In Time (3-1) – Ran well at this distance last time, and can certainly be in the mix with a repeat performance but faces other solid options in here
RACE 9: OC 45000n2x
1. #3 Can’t Fool Me (7-2) – Three straight solid efforts including a win in June, this mare should be running late but needs to stay mid pack to win
2. #10 Im Just Kiddin (4-1) – Ran well last time in defeat and has some good efforts on turf with a bit more upside than others in here despite the tough post
3. #9 Solib (5-1) – Not quite as classy as some others, but has been running well this year, albeit mostly on dirt, and can be a factor with a mid pack trip
4. #4 Overacting (5-2) – Klaravich and Chad Brown team up with this filly who gets Flavian Prat in the irons and has the upside to win, but wasn’t as sharp last time out
RACE 10: Mdn 100k
1. #3 Arrasou (7-2) – After a lengthy layoff, this now four year old filly came back for Chad Brown in July and ran well in defeat, plus gets another crack at turf here
2. #6 La Salvadorena (5-2) – May employ a late running style as she did in her debut, but getting back to sprint distance should help her improve
3. #7 Shop Lifting (5-1) – Another that might be closing and needs some pace to aim at, this filly by Into Mischief gets an edge on the first timers with some good experience
4. #2 Precisely (8-1) – Wesley Ward trainee attempted to go gate to wire last year and hasn’t run since, but has a chance with an adjustment in her running style
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