Spa Selections 2025: Saratoga Picks July 16
Joseph Aiello- July 15, 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 1 – Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes
1. #9 Blue Creek (9-2) – A strong record in the money and is one that will handle added distance as it appears the further the better for this four year old
2. #8 China Beach (5-2) – A winner of three straight, this gelding may be in the best form of everyone at the moment, but faces a tougher test here
3. #1 Evie’s Prince (3-1) – This gelding by Animal Kingdom has two strong performances over this track and nearly won a grade I here last month
4. #2 Beat Le Bon (8-1) – Certainly should have the lead based on his previous form, and can hold on in the money if the pace is slow enough
Race 7 – Mdn 100k
1. #1 Duration (2-1) – This gelding by Mitole is the most heavily raced of this group but gets back to a more manageable distance after multiple attempts at a mile
2. #4 Barb (6-1) – Not as classy as the others, but has a real chance if he repeats his last try after sitting on a blistering early pace
3. #3 Mainstream (9-5) – Has been improving and should get the opportunity for a run at the distance on a dry track which could be enough to break through
4. #2 Tap Into This (3-1) – Has never finished worse than third in five starts but hasn’t moved forward in any stretch run either although he gets back to sprint distance here
Race 8 – Alw 20000s
1. #8 Gilmore (4-1) – Could be one that prefers shorter distance than this, but may offer the best value and a mid pack trip to take advantage of tiring runners
2. #5 Alternate Reality (7-2) – Ran well last time in defeat against a better group, and should continue what has been a strong stretch with the class drop
3. #1 Double Your Money (9-2) – Has finished no worse than second in his last eight tries, and runs his best with an aggressive start but faces a tougher group here
4. #9 My Noble Knight (6-1) – Maybe not a winner here, but has a good record in the money and can finish in the top four if he comes from mid pack
Race 9 – Suzie O’Cain Stakes
1. #2 Mommy’s Turn (7-2) – Two strong races at this distance and was bet to favorite in her last two tries plus appears to be improving
2. #3 Trail of Gold (9-2) – Keeps Irad Ortiz in the irons and has run better on turf than dirt but may need some pace to run at
3. #8 She’s Our Tiz (8-1) – Four for five in the money on turf and should be picking up the pieces late even if she isn’t the top win candidate
4. #9 Disco Star (5-1) – Stretches out in distance and has a bit more turf upside than others here but is another that could benefit from some early pace
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