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 5 – Mdn 100k

1. #6 True Legend (7-2) – First time gelding didn’t take to dirt last time and also drops in class from a state bred stakes off a longer layoff but competes here with a return to his turf form

2. #1 Hot Off the Beach (4-1) – Steps up from a maiden claimer after a good debut where he lost by three and a half lengths and should be sitting off of what could be a modest pace

3. #3 Sultan Hassan (3-1) – Clearly took a step forward switching to turf for De Paz last time and gets Flavian Prat here off a layoff with more room to improve

4. #5 Violent Act (5-1) – First timer has a bit more upside than Story of Rory with a good workout pattern and solid connections over the last year

Race 6 – Alw 55000s

1. #2 Sea Vista (7-2) – Seems to run better with more forwardly placed trips and has frequently been bet to favorite for Trombetta but does step back up in class in this evenly matched field where many have a chance

2. #3 Discotheque (9-2) – Ran well enough last time to win, but may have winning issues with ten places in eighteen career starts but has been competitive in this class

3. #6 Big Gain (3-1) – Has some sharp races at seven furlongs including two back, with some of his better figures coming off the bench which he repeats here

4. #5 South Bend Tom (9-2) – Solo Jim has only run against state breds though he and Moment’s Notice should be considered on a sloppy track, but this gelding keeps Prat and has shown improvement this year

Race 7 – New York Stallion Statue of Liberty Stakes

1. #7 She’s Country (2-1) – Classier filly has the edge over this group if she controls a slower pace here, but may not get the same trip as last time in this group

2. #5 Celtic Dawn (3-1) – Restricted stakes winner didn’t fare well stretching out in distance last time, but still has as much talent as any here and may need to take back to mid pack to adjust to the added ground

3. #3 Morning Prayer (7-2) – Two straight plus efforts over this track and won by disqualification last time, now needing a slight step up to be a winner

4. #8 Shake Em Off (12-1) – Questions with others leave this first time starter who has a jockey trainer combo that has won both tries together this meet and six of eleven over the last year

Race 8 – MC 50000

1. #3 Paula’s Choice (5-2) – First time lasix for this filly who will likely be bet as much for Jose Ortiz as the sizable class drop, and should be a top contender here

2. #10 Roasted Reds (5-1) – Adds blinkers switching into the De Paz barn with two respectable finishes in both tries but needs some improvement to have winning chances

3. #11 Stella Fortuna (12-1) – Tougher post for this off the pace filly who has shown some closing kick in her three tries, but either needs a faster pace to aim at or a more forward trip to run her best here

4. #9 Two Clicks (4-1) – Hasn’t been respected by the betting public in her four starts, but Not Tapping hasn’t been better and Bounding Along has no turf experience leaving this filly by War of Will to end up in the mix

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