Spa Selections 2025: Saratoga Picks August 8
Joseph Aiello
August 7, 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. #8 Blast Furnace (4-1) – Enters out of maiden claimers, but ran his best last time in his first turf route and could be solid value stepping up in class
2. #2 Salamis (3-1) – Very strong connections but has been a late finisher in his starts and may need to be pushed closer to the lead to have less ground to make up late
3. #1 Apalta (7-2) – Questions for some others leave this first time turfer who could be a contender if he is able to handle the distance which may take a running style change
4. #6 Royal Presence (8-1) – Adds blinkers and will have to be positioned a bit more forward here to have winning chances off of a long layoff
Race 8 – Grade II Ballston Spa Stakes
1. #1 Be Your Best (9-5) – A slight step above the others here if she runs her best, but could be pressed to fast early fractions by Ocean Club
2. #9 Deep Satin (5-1) – A winner of both of her tries over this track, this filly by American Pharoah gets Jose Ortiz and should be in a good stalking position
3. #3 Ozara (6-1) – Put forth a huge effort in a win last time over this track and has run her best at this distance with good consistency hitting the board
4. #6 Maggie Go (4-1) – Flavian Prat and Chad Brown guide this filly who needs to improve to be a win contender, but can still hit the board with a strong effort
Race 9 – Clm 32000
1. #2 Consider It Done (7-2) – Rice trainee drops into claiming company for the first time and should be in a good stalking position with winning chances if he runs to form
2. #6 Uncle Jim (4-1) – Clearly didn’t take to the slop last time, but could be dangerous if he gets away on the lead by himself and puts Backtrack away early
3. #1 Storm the Streets (5-2) – Has been good at the distance and consistent when running against this class so should be in the mix here
4. #4 Three B’s (9-2) – Backtrack hasn’t been sharp recently which gives the edge to this colt by Collected who could take advantage of a quicker pace
Race 10 – Mdn 100k
1. #5 Antietam (9-2) – First time lasix and switches to turf after a solid try last time out but is coming off a long layoff from November with Prat in the irons here
2. #3 Johny’s Rendezvous (7-2) – A repeat of his last try may be good enough to win here if he gets the right stalking trip on what should be a slower pace
3. #4 Favorable Scenario (6-1) – A two year layoff for this first time gelding by Good Magic who tries turf and has the connections to be a factor
4. #1 Snare (8-1) – Has shown improvement on turf and gets the added distance that he needs with a good chance to hit the board if he adjusts to the added ground
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