Spa Selections 2025: Saratoga Picks July 12
Joseph Aiello- July 11, 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 8 – Grade II Bowling Green Stakes
1. #7 Far Bridge (6-5) – May not be great value, but is a slight step above the others and is the classiest of the bunch so should finish in the top three at least
2. #2 El Rezeen (8-1) – Not quite as classy as some others, but has two wins in two tries at Saratoga and should be in a good spot at this distance
3. #5 Webslinger (7-2) – This deep closer often comes up just short in graded company, but certainly has the top end efforts to be a winner here
4. #8 Corruption (5-1) – Should have no issues with the distance and has a few options from a speed perspective to either take control early or sit mid pack
Race 9 – Alw 110000n1x
1. #9 Then (6-1) – May need some early pace to win, but at a price around his morning line with Irad Ortiz in the irons, this colt is capable of pulling an upset
2. #1 Move to Gold (5-2) – First half of the entry last ran a year ago in a grade III, now adding lasix for Chad Brown and has hit the board in all five of his tries
3. #11 Betterluckythangood (6-1) – Always brings a good effort never finishing worse than fourth, but faces non state bred company for the first time
4. #4 Navy Seal (8-1) – Gets the slight edge over Bulldoze but has been inconsistent in his career and may need to close from off the pace to have a chance
Race 10 – OC 100000b
1. #5 Scotland (7-2) – Won here impressively last year and has had some of his best performances at the Spa, but enters off a long layoff and will need to be sharp to win
2. #7 Illuminare (8-1) – Dropping from a grade III in December, this colt by City of Light has won twice at Saratoga, both at seven furlongs and should be sitting off the leader
3. #4 General Partner (5-2) – His best chance is by grabbing the early lead, once again at a preferred sprint distance and over a track where he has had success
4. #2 Twenty Four Mamba (8-1) – A bit inconsistent and not as classy as some others, but has the top end races at this distance that give him a chance only if he breaks well
Race 11 – Grade I Diana Stakes
1. #6 Be Your Best (6-1) – The likely early leader, it will be difficult to hold off this group all the way around, but if Irad is able to slow the pace then this mare is a good play
2. #1 She Feels Pretty (1-1) – Probably her ideal distance, and the most likely winner if she runs her best and sits close enough to Be Your Best in the early goings
3. #4 Excellent Truth (5-2) – Unable to catch her stablemate last time, this mare has upside and may have needed more ground to close into which she gets here
4. #5 Dynamic Pricing (9-2) – Held off Excellent Truth in her most recent try, this filly has not won at this distance but still has strong connections in this tough field
Race 12 – Mdn 100k
1. #10 Panache (8-1) – Has improved since switching to turf sprints, and now enters off a layoff so she will be good value in an unproven field
2. #9 Gellhorn (6-1) – This filly by Volatile adds blinkers after a strong debut on an off surface, and could be dangerous with improvement from that try
3. #4 She Wants War (3-1) – Has shown the most in her two tries, but needs to settle down the pace early to be able to hang on this time around
4. #6 Girls Rock (4-1) – Took a clear step forward with the change to grass, and has shown ability from both on the pace and off it
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