Spa Selections 2026: Saratoga Picks August 1
Joseph Aiello
July 31, 2026
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 Twinkle Town (7-2) – Two sharp works in a row for McPeek and this grey colt who won on the slop at first asking and may get the right track conditions to run well here at value
2. #4 Booked (7-5) – Took a step forward in his Sanford win last time with sharp early speed but will face early company with Flight Command which could lead to a tougher trip here
3. #6 Flight Command (9-5) – Visually impressive debut for this Flightline colt who faces a tougher test this time but can prove that he is the real deal with another gate to wire win
4. #1 How’s Al Today (6-1) – Could be one to take advantage of a hot pace if the form of the top runners holds as this second time starter should be running late with Luis Saez
Race 8 – Alw 120000n1x
1. #2 Lady Jancis (3-1) – Filly keeps Irad Ortiz after an impressive second time start with the early speed to give this field problems stepping up in class
2. #5 Silsbee (5-2) – Was competitive over this course last year, and seems to have taken a slight step forward with more aggressive trips in her last three
3. #3 Only for Now (5-1) – Drops from stakes company and has the speed figures to win here with Prat but may be a shorter price than the morning line
4. #9 Duboff (12-1) – Should be on or near the lead at good value and runs well at this distance but needs to show it against classier company versus her usual competition
Race 9 – Grade III Lake George Stakes
1. #8 Deep Learning (7-2) – Off a longer layoff and would be a good play anywhere close to this morning line given the connections, and is one that showed some improvement as a two year old
2. #6 Amberglen (5-2) – Won in convincing fashion last time out after being put on the lead by Irad Ortiz who has won both of his tries with this filly and has the upside to make it three for three
3. #4 Time to Dream (5-1) – Six straight graded tries but may need some pace to aim at here as a closer to have any winning chances
4. #9 Lion Lake (3-1) – Has kept strong company recently with competitive efforts in every try so should be there late and finishing in the mix
Race 10 – Grade II Jim Dandy Stakes
1. #3 Renegade (7-5) – Should run better than his Belmont with more favorable early positioning and a cutback in distance, with this one likely turning into a jockey duel between two of the best in Irad Ortiz and Flavian Prat
2. #5 Commandment (6-5) – May be better than Renegade now off of his solid Belmont effort, and now adds blinkers with this red hot jockey trainer combo
3. #4 Silent Tactic (8-1) – Shouldn’t be too far out of it in this five horse field, with some untapped upside and potential for improvement off a longer layoff
4. #1 Chip Honcho (3-1) – Could have a tactical advantage on this group controlling the pace here, but in a smaller field the others have stronger late kicks at this distance even with a good chance to finish in the money with modest fractions
Race 11 – Alw 105000n1x
1. #2 Joker on Fire (5-1) – Has turned a corner since switching surfaces, and appears to be close to a breakthrough win as a four year old
2. #1 Illmatic (9-2) – Has the early speed to control this race from the jump with good connections but will need to prove that he can hold late dropping in class
3. #3 Mozambique (10-1) – Offers similar value to Rhyton and Diliello but showed real turf potential as a deeper closer who could get another favorable set up here to finish in the money
4. #9 Dakota Country (8-5) – Mid pack gelding has been much better at sprint distances on turf in California, but has run against lesser and needs his form to translate to win at this price
Race 12 – Mdn 115k
1. #3 Amicable Farce (5-1) – The ‘other’ Chad Brown trainee was more competitive in her second try than her stablemate, and should get the right trip and modest pace set up to have winning chances
2. #5 Nonconsecutivetrms (5-2) – First time lasix for this filly who has the top end efforts to win here but needs to run her best to pick up that elusive win with four places in six tries
3. #7 Hedge Book (3-1) – Connections may make this filly go off at too short a price given her recent stretch runs, but she is still worth a look to hit the board with improvement
4. #2 Music Box (8-1) – Tough to pick against Fancy n’ Flight and Irad Ortiz, but this filly has shown more and is on the cusp of a breakthrough effort with three straight places
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