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 7 – OC 80000n2x

1. #3 National Archive (9-2) – Strong jockey trainer combo on the turf who clearly likes added ground and comes out of a state bred stakes can run from mid pack or on the lead if others don’t go early

2. #7 Vronti (5-2) – Drops from a grade I and was a winner in her two prior races but will need to prove that she can get this distance off a layoff

3. #8 Sol d’Oro (5-1) – May prefer the artificial surface to turf, but has no issues with distance and has speed figures that compare well to this field with Jose Ortiz in the irons

4. #2 Agia Marina (6-1) – Don’t Jinx It is classier but has faded in her recent stretch runs and may prefer shorter while this filly by Quality Road proved that extra ground was no issue with her career best performance last time

Race 8 – Alw 120000n1x

1. #2 Playa Del Mar (2-1) – Has taken a step forward since stalking the lead, and clearly prefers this distance with his running style and dominant efforts in his last two

2. #4 Iron Dome (9-5) – Crushed state bred fields here last summer, and has a clear class advantage over this group even if he appears to run better going an extra furlong

3. #1 Georgia Magic (3-1) – Should show some early speed despite not being as consistent as the top two, but ran well last time and can be a threat if he controls a slower pace

4. #6 Freddie B (12-1) – Enters off of a debut win in December and adds lasix here with a sharp recent work over this track and more upside than Thrilla

Race 9 – Grade III Quick Call Stakes

1. #10 Johnny’s Red Storm (5-1) – Gate to wire winner in his first two, but hasn’t raced since last year and faces a tough group even with his stablemate Cy Fair opting to run yesterday

2. #12 Bobrovsky (10-1) – Ran well here last summer and has the right stalking style to take advantage of this speedy group with a sharp four furlong breeze recently but has a tougher post

3. #4 Intricate Spirit (12-1) – Unwritten Rule and Ewing have good dirt form, but this gelding has won over this course with some back class and trip versatility off the bench

4. #9 Stradale (12-1) – One of a few who try turf for the first time, as this Asmussen trainee should improve on the class drop and may get the right set up to come from mid pack with many who want the front

Race 10 – Clm 35000n2L

1. #3 Mermaid (4-1) – Uncompetitive last time out against better, so should improve with the class drop and has a good record in the money

2. #2 Roagna (9-2) – Had mostly been a late finisher in her career until last race where she grabbed the lead, and may try to do so again here amongst this slower group

3. #5 Artistic Success (5-2) – Didn’t win last time out dropping into claiming company, but that was at six furlongs with two of her better efforts at a mile over this course last year

4. #10 Greyjoy (10-1) – Has hit the board in all four tries against similar competition, and could have something to build off of after her last try where she started too close to the leaders on the distance stretch

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