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 1 – Michael G. Walsh Novice Stakes

1. #3 Feeling Festive (3-1) – Two wins and a close place in his three career tries as a seven year old, this bay gelding has to efforts that put him in the mix even with this step up in class

2. #4 Cyber Ninja (5-2) – A near winner last time from well off the pace, this grey gelding by Arrogate has been a consistent finisher recently and is a top win contender here

3. #7 Philip My Dear (4-1) – A winner at this distance and one who has run better when going to the early lead but does step up into stakes company here

4. #5 Lynches Knock (12-1) – Finished a distant third in the Kiser last month, and should be in the mix here if he is kept off the lead with good late stamina

Race 7 – Mdn 115k

1. #6 Lauren’s Time (6-1) – Yaupon has been producing plenty of sprint winners this meet with this filly starting at six furlongs in a wide open field and with good connections here

2. #8 Saratoga Lake (10-1) – Good jockey trainer combo and a strong meet thus far for De Paz who debuts this filly by Violence that went for $335,000 as a yearling

3. #3 Under the Moon (4-1) – Jose gets the edge over his brother on this filly who starts for Joe Sharp and had a strong five furlong workout in late July

4. #2 Baby Beth (10-1) – Davidson enters with higher hopes, but this filly by Olympiad has a good workout pattern and the streaking Manny Franco aboard

Race 8 – OC 55000n1x

1. #3 Higher Force (10-1) – Good early speed that could give issues to this field and should be solid value with a recent bullet work and good efforts at the distance

2. #5 Sailaway (5-1) – Brunch With Amy and Hidden Rose haven’t proven that they can get this distance while this filly won her lone try at a mile and an eighth and returns to dirt here

3. #1 Answered Prayers (5-2) – Has shown marginal improvement and shouldn’t have an issue with nine furlongs as she drops down slightly in class for Mott

4. #7 Seraphia (7-2) – Didn’t fare well in her drop down in class last time, but has kept good company and gets Jose Ortiz in the irons here

Race 9 – MC 85000

1. #7 Bourbon Milk Punch (7-2) – Hasn’t found the winner’s circle in eleven tries which is a concern, but gets Irad Ortiz here and has the top end efforts and some early speed to win at this distance

2. #10 Channelview (10-1) – One that could improve with added ground if Franco keeps her running style the same, as this field has with plenty who have had their chances to win

3. #5 Gum (9-2) – Finished ahead of Resort last time on a class drop who also has chances here, but this filly has been more consistent with five finishes in the money out of seven tries

4. #9 Mistborn (8-5) – Price close to this morning line would be too steep especially with others who have similar efforts, but the connections on a class drop give this filly a chance to hit the board

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