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 – Clm 20000n2L

1. #8 Mirage (5-2) – May have winning issues and could end up an underlay after a solid effort last time, but still compares well to this field from a speed perspective and should be in the mix with a stalking trip

2. #7 The Obliterator (8-1) – Has hit the board at a good clip at this distance despite recent struggles, and has the top end efforts to compete but is a bit inconsistent

3. #9 Shangrala Road (3-1) – Drops further down in class and returns to dirt with Irad Ortiz for Linda Rice with a chance to run well here even if he doesn’t win

4. #3 Sociably Johnny (5-1) – Didn’t like the distance when running on turf, but gets a dirt try at eight furlongs with some competitive efforts at six furlongs

Race 9 – Grade II National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes

1. #6 Arizona Territory (5-1) – Has shown gradual improvement and could be a good play if the price remains close to the morning line but still needs to take a step forward to win

2. #1 Touch of Fire (5-2) – Should prefer cutting back to a mile here and may be dangerous if he can control another modest pace with a better chance to hold on with less ground to cover

3. #7 Immortalised (8-1) – With Glavine and Bottas aimed for the Saratoga Derby, this Walsh trainee could be dangerous at this distance with Jose Ortiz, finishing in the top two in his last five tries

4. #4 Third Coast (8-1) – Adds blinkers and has shown some improvement in four tries, and gets back to a better distance despite a solid showing in the Grade I Belmont Derby last time

Race 10 – Grade II Saratoga Oaks

1. #2 Fitz Right (5-2) – Prat and Brown team up with this filly who should have no issues with distance and comes out of a show effort in the Grade I Belmont Oaks

2. #6 Faithful Departed (9-5) – Finished ahead of Fitz Right last time and has a strong late kick but may not be the best value play despite her clear winning chances here

3. #1 Kentucky Belle (6-1) – Steps up in class after a win at this distance last time out and has a strong jockey trainer combo this year and for the meet with this filly coming off the bench

4. #5 Imaginationthelady (4-1) – Didn’t run her best last time with a more forward trip and will need to prove that distance isn’t an issue in this spot but has talent as a two time grade II winner

Race 11– OClm 20000

1. #5 Coquito (3-1) – Drops from a slightly classier optional claimer and cuts back to a better distance with her best races coming with more forwardly placed trips

2. #10 Despo’s Dream (5-2) – Mare by Mitole has plenty of experience at this distance with two wins over the track and a solid recent four furlong breeze plus gets Irad Ortiz

3. #8 Mursal (2-1) – Winner of three of her last four with a good record in the money against this class, but has been better at six furlongs with one win in ten tries at seven

4. #6 Baby Sassicaia (12-1) – Has two wins in two tries over this dirt course with two recent seven furlong races that compare well to this field even if she is a step below the top contenders

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