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 – Grade I Jonathan Sheppard Memorial Handicap

1. #3 Siennois (6-1) – Has been much improved since switching to steeplechase races and stalking the lead with a very sharp win by five and a quarter lengths last time

2. #1 Mr Percy (4-1) – Was sharp as the favorite in the Kiser last time, with a good record in the money especially recently in stakes efforts

3. #2 Smart Uncle (9-5) – A grade I winner over this track last time, but had been struggling previously with a need for improvement to win here

4. #5 L’Imperator (3-1) – Coutach has shown good consistency, but this gelding returns to hurdles with plenty of class and strong performances amongst similar competition

Race 7 – Mdn 90k

1. #10 Comets Choice (12-1) – Clearly took to turf last time with a good run at the distance, but did face state breds and still needs to run better to win here at value

2. #1 Tappin Magic (9-5) – Finished a distant fourth by seven lengths in her debut, but should show some improvement against a weaker field here with Prat

3. #3 Joan’s Fault (8-1) – First timer by Epicenter has worked frequently at Monmouth over the last month, with chances against a field that still needs to prove themselves here

4. #4 Juneau (4-1) – Wasn’t particularly fast on dirt and now switches to turf, but was at least competitive in two of her three tries including here last time

Race 8 – OC 45000n2x

1. #3 Queens Cat (6-1) – Has a bit more speed than Mischief Lady among others, and could be a gate to wire threat at value even if she may prefer six furlongs

2. #1 Kay Cup (4-1) – Off a longer layoff from December and hadn’t been winning, but does have back class and clearly runs better at sprint distances

3. #5 Braverthanubelieve (2-1) – Winner of both tries off the bench with a jockey trainer combo that has won five of twelve together over the last year with a sharp recent workout over this track

4. #2 Grace and Grit (6-1) – Has at least placed in six straight, with good enough efforts to warrant a play in this evenly matched field

Race 9 – Clm 35000n2L

1. #9 I Can See That (3-1) – Near winner last time against this company, and has been close at this distance and over the track with a chance to break through here

2. #8 Vintage Vino (9-2) – Off the pace finisher who may not get the early speed to aim at here, but has been making good late moves with a recent drop in class and past form that could win

3. #7 Printer’s Alley (7-2) – Improved with a drop into claiming company last time, and should be a bit closer to the leaders than some others if he runs back to his last race which gives him a tactical edge

4. #6 Royal Browne (4-1) – Gets the edge over Free Refills with Prat in the irons despite a lack of wins at this level and more inconsistency in speed figures

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