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 – Clm 16000

1. #7 Glen Airy (8-5) – Distance may be an issue for this Maker trainee but he faces lesser competition here and gets Irad Ortiz back who guided him to one of his better efforts two back from off the pace

2. #5 Sharp Spark (5-1) – Has been competitive recently and drops back down to lower level claimers where he has performed well with two claiming wins this year

3. #6 Pineapple Man (8-1) – Won at this distance last year and now drops further down in class after a rough effort over a sloppy track but should run well if the course stays dry

4. #9 Apalta (9-2) – Hey Toby has been more consistent despite a poor recent effort, but this gelding should improve some with the class drop and has solid efforts at this distance

Race 8 – OC 80000n2x

1. #7 Bold Strength (3-1) – Impressed at this distance last time and has mostly brought his best in six tries with seven furlongs appearing to be the right distance for this Juddmonte colt

2. #2 Contrary Thinking (5-2) – No match against graded company last year in route races as a rabbit, but has used his early speed to take to sprinting with two strong efforts in a row including a win last time

3. #6 Otello (8-1) – Horse by Curlin has been fading in recent tries, and likely needs a cut back in distance with the chance to battle Contrary Thinking for the lead if he repeats his last race

4. #3 Commuted (8-1) – Gelding by Gun Runner is in a difficult spot with speed to his immediate inside and outside, but has shown some ability to come from mid pack and finished ahead of Vibrant Express twice

Race 9 – Smart and Fancy Stakes

1. #9 Zeitlos (2-1) – Has had good showing on turf despite limited tries, including a place last time out in the Grade II Caress over this track and at the distance plus keeps Jose Ortiz in the irons

2. #6 Miss Vyvyanne (5-2) – Has serious speed coming from a grade II win against the boys with five gate to wire victories in her last six tries and six wins in seven tries at the distance

3. #2 Delightful Flame (10-1) – Her last race could rival Miss Vyvyanne from a speed perspective, but disappointed against stakes company last year even if she is dangerous here if she gets to the front

4. #5 Capturing (5-1) – Won over this course last time out and could have the right running style to pick up the pieces if Delightful Flame and Miss Vyvyanne push each other to quick fractions and has a good chance to end up in the money

Race 10 – MC 85000

1. #2 About Face (2-1) – Keeps Irad Ortiz and returns to what appears to be his preferred surface with a good try second time out and dropping down in class for Brad Cox

2. #1 Vivaldi (4-1) – Strong connections finally drop this gelding down in class and gets a slight edge over Minotaur and Mortal Lock who also have chances in this evenly-matched group

3. #7 Languid (6-1) – Made a huge late move last time out and can finish in the mix here with a strong effort but might not get the right set up to have winning chances even if he hits the board

4. #8 Duty (5-1) – Has a chance to go gate to wire if he can control a slower pace here with a lack of early speed in this field despite others who have as much talent

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