Spa Selections 2025: Saratoga Picks July 5

  • userJoseph Aiello
  • dateJuly 4, 2025

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 3 – Grade III Sanford Stakes

1. #2 Obliteration (7-5) – This colt by Violence has the best win of this group in his lone try, toppling his maiden competition by seven and a half lengths and can win here

2. #4 Blinging it Back (6-5) – Returned a sharp number in his place finish in the Tremont, and is certainly a top choice with a return to that race

3. #5 Strategic Risk (9-2) – The margin of victory in his debut was much more eye popping than the finishing speed and pace, as this colt takes a step up in class here

4. #1 Imagine John (12-1) – Wasn’t the most impressive in his debut, but has worked well and has room for improvement against some that are just as unproven

Race 9 – OC 45000n2x

1. #2 Braciole (10-1) – Has made huge moves in most of his recent races, closing well after slow starts so may need a quicker pace to win

2. #4 I’m Wide Awake (3-1) – Almost always runs well but with no wins at this distance and appears to specialize at six furlongs

3. #5 What’s Up Bro (7-2) – Good early speed and drops in class plus should be in control off of this race but similar to I’m Wide Awake may prefer six furlongs to seven

4. #3 Yo Banana Boy (8-1) – An inconsistent runner, but his best races would put him in the mix at good value and has been working well recently

Race 10 – Grade III Kelso Stakes

1. #2 Intellect (3-1) – Just left too much ground in his last two, but with a slightly closer trip by Prat, this Brown trainee should be the one to beat

2. #6 Mountain Bear (6-1) – Wesley Ward trainee has often finished just short of winning on turf, but consistently moves forward in the stretch and is good value here

3. #4 Donegal Momentum (5-2) – Held off Intellect in the Grade III Poker last time, but had everything his way and faces another tough challenge with this group

4. #5 Nantasket Beach (10-1) – A clear step up in competition but is a winner of two straight at this distance and thrives at a mile which should put him in the mix

Race 11 – Grade I Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes

1. #5 Fionn (5-1) – Four for six lifetime, this filly was picking up ground in her lone try against Nitrogen, and could be a bigger threat with an extra furlong

2. #7 Nitrogen (4-5) – The clear best in this race who wins if she puts forth a top effort, even if this may be a tad further than her preferred distance

3. #4 Virgin Colada (8-1) – Ran well in defeat last time for Chad Brown, typically closing into the money despite being a slight step below the top contenders here

4. #6 May Day Ready (10-1) – Has yet to rediscover her early form as a two year old, but would be a real contender here if she finds a way to run back to her best

Race 12 – MC 30000

1. #11 Capt Jax Parrow (9-5) – Has been improving and has the best speed figures of the bunch and wins with a repeat of last race, even if he liked the slop in that one

2. #3 Mama’s Middie (8-1) – Has either been somewhat competitive or not remotely close in his eight tries, but has the top end races to finally break through here

3. #10 King and Queens (3-1) – Trending in the right direction following the drop in class, but interestingly cuts back in distance after a place finish at a mile last time

4. #6 Allofasuddenlee (9-2) – Has been mostly consistent against this class, and even if he isn’t a winner, this could be one to round out exotics

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