Spa Selections 2025: Saratoga Picks July 26
Joseph Aiello
July 25, 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!
1. #3 Vekinda (4-1) – Off a layoff from April, this gelding by Vekoma may be one to take advantage of a fast pace and has finished well at this distance in this class
2. #9 Kenny Be (7-2) – Good at the distance but has struggled to finish his races strong so may be a better candidate to hit the board rather than win
3. #4 Blamicker (8-1) – Finger Lakes shipper won by seven and a half lengths last time and should be near the lead in this one even if a few others are faster
4. #6 Roofer (6-1) – An impressive winner last time breaking his maiden in his ninth try, this colt could win with a repeat of that but faces tougher company here
Race 9 – Grade III Lake George Stakes
1. #10 Play With Fire (4-1) – Just a bit too far off the lead to catch Classic Q in her most recent try, but should have winning chances with a similar trip here
2. #4 Lavender Disaster (5-2) – Unable to catch Classic Q last time, this Chad Brown trainee is likely to face a slower pace here with a chance for a stronger finish
3. #5 Classic Q (2-1) – Went gate to wire last time over this track, but will need to set slower fractions to hold on with the added half furlong
4. #2 Pretty Lavish (12-1) – Gets a slight edge over Daisy Flyer due to her back to back solid efforts and might be a bit closer to the leader here
Race 10 – Grade II Jim Dandy Stakes
1. #5 Sovereignty (2-5) – Tough to go against the Derby and Belmont winner in a field of five where only Baeza and possibly Sandman have the speed figures to compete
2. #1 Baeza (3-1) – Entered the stretch in the Belmont well behind Sovereignty and switches riders back to Hector Berrios who needs to keep this one attached early
3. #2 Sandman (6-1) – Adds blinkers to hopefully stay a bit closer to the leaders here, and could be a threat if he doesn’t fall too far back early but still needs some pace
4. #4 Hill Road (12-1) – Never threatened in the Belmont and may be a late finisher here, but will need to improve to have any chance against the top
Race 11 – Mdn 90k
1. #9 Hello Beauty (5-2) – Dettori stays to take this mount for Sisterson on this filly by Street Sense who seems ready to break through after back to back shows
2. #6 Nonna Lynne (6-1) – Closed into a slow pace to nearly pick up a win last time out, and could win here if she gets a bit more pace to aim at
3. #5 Will of a Womanne (8-1) – Nearly a winner last time at this distance in her first turf try, this filly by War of Will can win if she builds off that effort
4. #4 Tahila (6-1) – Bet to favorite in three of five starts and will probably prefer this distance as long as she breaks better than her last try at a eight and a half furlongs
Race 12 – MC 50000
1. #9 Battle Drum (6-1) – Adds blinkers and showed improvement in the drop down to maiden claimers and gets Irad back in the irons here
2. #10 Hedge the Risk (9-2) – Klaravich and Brown are starting to pick up some wins, and keep Dylan Davis on this gelding who has shown improvement
3. #7 Fateful Lightning (2-1) – Drops from maiden company for Brad Cox and gets back to a more manageable distance with Franco in the irons
4. #12 Ski Bum (15-1) – May be best suited to run in a stalking position rather than grabbing the lead, but should be aggressive and ran better last time on the class drop
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