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 – Grade II Troy Stakes

1. #2 Twenty Six Black (5-2) – Combination of the right running style and solid recent performances including a comfortable win in the Harvey Pack here a month ago

2. #5 Waralo (6-1) – Speedy gelding has been on a roll since switching to turf and won here last year at the distance but steps up in competition and will face early pressure

3. #3 Doncho (3-1) – Sharp early speed but should have plenty of company which could make this a tough spot, but gets Irad here and could hold in the money

4. #7 Works for Me (8-1) – Determined Kingdom has flashed recently in this difficult field to pick, but this horse may get the right pace set up with Prat in the irons coming from off the lead

Race 9 – Alw 105000n1x

1. #2 Mo for the King (5-2) – Prat left two others to ride this gelding who should be in a good stalking position but needs to finish stronger than he has been to hold on late

2. #4 Blue Roof Beau (6-1) – Impressive debut that ended up a bit faster than Onebigbeautfulbill, and and has the early speed to control this race from the jump

3. #6 Max Money (4-1) – Not the most consistent of the bunch, but comes off a solid win and has won at the distance and won over this track last time out

4. #1 Tricky Business (5-1) – Empire Sky may be a better play to close into the money at a price, but this gelding has winning chances if he can return to his debut form here

Race 10 – OClm 45000

1. #8 Hard Circle (9-2) – Nearly won last time out against similar competition and has shown a preference for turf since switching surfaces and can win with a repeat of his last try

2. #5 Ciao Chuck (7-2) – Has finished in the money in all five tries at this distance and takes a slight step back in class plus picks up Irad in the irons here

3. #11 Maximum Promise (12-1) – Has shown a good closing kick when running at this distance on turf but hasn’t had many tries and nearly got to Gun Barrel City last time with some room for improvement

4. #1 The Paddock Pastor (8-1) – More experience than Gun Barrel City who ran his best last time in claiming company, and ha a good chance of hitting the board with Jose Ortiz here

Race 11 – Alw 120000n1x

1. #5 Mission Impossible (6-1) – Santana left a little too much ground for this gelding last time, but his strong late kick give him a chance at a good price with others who will take money

2. #6 Shirl’s Soul Town (9-2) – Strong win is his debut for Linda Rice at this distance, and should end up in the mix even with a repeat of that try, especially if Ortley Avenue sets the table with a quick pace

3. #9 Bosun (7-2) – Has run well over this track and at the distance with Jose Ortiz opting to ride this gelding as another late finisher who could get the right set up here

4. #1 After Taxes (8-1) – Seems to have taken a step forward this year but steps back up in class off of a career best effort last time and chances if he repeats it here

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