Spa Selections 2026: Saratoga Picks August 15
Joseph Aiello
August 14, 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 Q B Rocket (4-1) – Big price tag for this colt by Gun Runner who debuts here for Brad Cox and should be in good form with sharp recent works
2. #2 Card Man (7-2) – Prat and Brown team up with this first timer by Life is Good who has worked well and frequently with plenty of upside here
3. #6 Dallas Star (8-1) – Flightline colt starts for Todd Pletcher who has won two of five with Franco this meet and has a strong win percentage with him over the last year
4. #9 Hooked (30-1) – Should provide good value here with plenty of others who are more touted, and gets the edge over the two to his inside due to his workout pattern
Race 9 – Grade I Christophe Clement Turf Stakes
1. #3 Ole Crazy Bone (4-1) – Faces a tougher test than in the Grade II Bowling Green, but shouldn’t have an issue with the added ground especially if Irad stalks the leaders here
2. #1 Ancient Egypt (5-1) – Near misses in two straight at this distance overseas, and has kept good company with the foreign invaders running well in turf routes this meet
3. #5 Fort George (9-2) – Couldn’t get to Ole Crazy Bone last time, but has the ability to finish strong here with another forwardly placed trip and second try over this course
4. #6 Minaret Station (3-1) – Maybe doesn’t have the top end races of Program Trading who has to stretch further out in distance or the win of Survie last time, but seemed to adjust to eleven furlongs last time with more ground here
Race 10 – Galway Stakes
1. #3 Oscar’s Encore (6-1) – Clearly didn’t adjust well to two turns, but has won both tries at five and a half including last time out over this track with a good mix of potential value and upside in a tough group
2. #7 Triskelion (5-1) – A stakes winner last time, this filly has found the money in all six starts and runs her best stalking the leader which Saez should look to do here
3. #1 Gerrards Cross (6-1) – Plenty of early speed and should be faster than Mauna Loa to the quarter pole with winning chances if she can get out to a more modest half mile like last time
4. #8 Mythical (9-2) – Mauna Loa was impressive last time and should be considered, but this first time turfer has the speed and form to be a legitimate threat here if she can adjust to the surface change
Race 11 – Alw 40000s
1. #2 Calling Card (5-2) – Good at the distance and should be forwardly placed here amongst an underachieving group with a strong performance in late June
2. #7 Come Full Circle (3-1) – Has been competitive recently despite a lack of winning efforts and should find his way into the mix late even if he doesn’t break through
3. #8 Sociably Johnny (8-1) – Good record in the money on the dirt with an improvement in speed figures when stretching out in distance last time to a mile for Linda Rice
4. #4 Celtic Prince (6-1) – Could be a gate to wire threat if he runs close to his last race in this spot, but faces tougher and hasn’t been consistent yet
Race 12 – MC 50000
1. #1 Before the Wind (3-1) – Had shown some improvement against maiden company in the fall before tailing off recently, so a drop in class should lead to a step forward here
2. #8 Gilbane (5-2) – Good effort last time out to nearly pick up a win, and should be in the mix with a repeat of that try with Manny Franco back in the irons
3. #10 Fivedollarsforsox (5-1) – Questions with the starters leave this debut runner for Clement who picks up Prat but will break from a tougher post here
4. #3 D C Boy’s (10-1) – Seemed to be running better going a mile, and now gets back to two turns but needs to show that he can run well over turf with a tough outing last time
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