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 – OC 45000n2x

1. #4 Cicciobello (9-2) – A little inconsistent, but drops from a state bred stakes race and should improve on the drop if the track stays dry

2. #3 Get a Job (7-2) – A winner last time out against similar company, this Asmussen trainee keeps Irad Ortiz and is a good play to at least hit the board

3. #8 Crimson Light (6-1) – Bet to favorite in all three of his tries, this colt got caught up in a torrid pace last time so should be better if he avoids quicker fractions here

4. #7 Aggregation (4-1) – Off a year long layoff for Chad Brown and Klaravich, this gelding could be a win candidate if he gets back to his top form

Race 9 – Skidmore Stakes

1. #2 Sandal’s Song (2-1) – An impressive winner in debut and now drops from a grade III try, this colt picks up Irad Ortiz here and should be in the right stalking position

2. #3 Monster (8-1) – Will likely be a shorter price than this, and could be dangerous if Bobrovsky doesn’t take to turf and this colt grabs the early lead

3. #8 Spirit of New York (7-2) – Steps up from a state bred maiden try, but was impressive enough in that one to warrant a play here especially if the value is right

4. #7 Bobrovsky (6-1) – Schwarzenegger deserves a look as a first timer as Velazquez’s lone mount, but this one is dangerous if his dirt form translates to turf

Race 10 – Grade I Alabama Stakes

1. #2 Good Cheer (8-5) – Probably not the best value especially if no one presses La Cara, but may have the advantage purely because of the added ground here

2. #6 La Cara (5-2) – Put Good Cheer away on a sloppy track in the Acorn for her first defeat, but faces a tougher test with this distance even if she may be alone on the lead

3. #1 Margie’s Intention (8-1) – Her form suggests that she shouldn’t have a problem with the extra distance, and picks up the meet’s leading jockey here for Brad Cox

4. #3 Kinzie Queen (15-1) – Likely won’t get the pace to close into to be able to win, but more distance is a huge plus for this filly and she is dangerous with a fast first half

Race 11 – Clm 35000n2L

1. #1 Assertiveness (2-1) – Drops in class and has some previous races that could be good enough to win here but may benefit from a mid pack trip

2. #7 Landman Friday (6-1) – Another that drops slightly in class and has made good late moves in the stretch of his last two tries

3. #2 Dakota Country (5-1) – Consistently moves forward in his turf tries and will be closing late with Joel Rosario in his second claiming try

4. #10 Kid Kreesa (7-2) – Broke his maiden here last year and is usually in control from the break, plus gets Santana here who has had a strong meet

Race 12 – Alw 95000n1x

1. #1 Spoken Bluntly (9-2) – Could be a winner with a repeat of his most recent try, and will likely be aggressive from the jump with Carmouche in the irons

2. #10 Pay the Juice (4-1) – Gets back to what should be a better distance and has been improving from a speed figure perspective for McGaughey

3. #4 On the Ledge (6-1) – Ran one of his better races in his first turf try, and should be up on the lead early which gives him a tactical advantage at this distance

4. #5 Courtly Banker (9-2) – Ran well in defeat last time out at this distance, and prefers shorter distance plus has won over this track

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