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 4 – Grade III Prioress Stakes

1. #3 Mashallah (7-5) – Looks like the strongest filly of the bunch with good speed figures and early speed plus is spotless in three tries at sprint distances

2. #5 Minute by Minute (12-1) – Certainly would need to improve from a speed perspective to have any chances, but should be in the right spot early sitting behind the leaders who may set a quick first quarter

3. #4 Goodall (8-5) – A stakes winner here in June, this filly by Yaupon has good early speed and should improve coming out of the Grade I Test into this field

4. #1 Mythical (9-2) – Hen Party has to prove her form can translate to the main course, while this filly has kept good company and was strong over this track last year even if she hasn’t been as sharp this year

Race 9 – Alw 105000n1x

1. #3 Music in Motion (6-1) – Has shown improving speed figures and performances culminating in a maiden win last time with a chance to win again here with a similar performance and forward trip

2. #8 Blue Roof Beau (6-1) – His debut race may be good enough to win here, but he may have to control the race from the break which could be difficult with the presence of Blamicker

3. #6 Blamicker (6-1) – Aggressive colt by Blame ships in from the Finger Lakes off of what may have been his best career race and could be peaking here at the right time

4. #2 King Farro (5-1) – Stretched out a bit too far in distance last time, and now switches into the barn of Maker with a win over the track two back that puts him in the mix

Race 10 – Grade I Hopeful Stakes

1. #5 Midnight Still (9-2) – Comes off a bullet four furlong breeze and won convincingly by six and a quarter lengths last time despite sitting behind a modest pace and should be one that prefers more ground

2. #7 Lifesong (5-1) – Colt by Life is Good ran well at first asking and should be in the right spot as these two year olds stretch out slightly in distance here

3. #3 Booked (3-1) – Can show speed and contend with The Good Life early or sit behind, but would need to improve off of his last try to win here

4. #4 Flight Command (10-1) – Would be good value close to this morning line price, as he faltered last time out stumbling at the start and can be a threat if he runs to his debut form

Race 11 – Disco Partner Stakes

1. #7 Creditworthy (5-2) – Steps up in class but has won all three tries over this track and is three for four lifetime at the distance for Chad Brown with Manny Franco here

2. #4 Determined Kingdom (5-1) – Has shown sharp early speed recently with a win over the course in June and a good chance of hitting the board with his track record at the distance

3. #6 Heart Headed (3-1) – Has been lacking winning efforts recently but should get the early speed to aim at here with a few who could grab the lead coming from mid pack

4. #3 No Evidence (8-1) – Bite and Strike has won three straight and could be dangerous if he runs his best race, but this gelding is classier and has a good chance of hitting the board even if he doesn’t win

Race 12 – Mdn 100k

1. #5 Tizio (15-1) – First timer by Omaha Beach has been working frequently and comes off a sharp five furlong breeze from the gate over the track with good value against a group that can be beaten

2. #7 Tango Tango (8-1) – Late finishing type probably won’t get the set up he needs to win, but ran well last time with a bit more forward of a trip and should be in the mix at value

3. #3 Irish Goodbye (9-2) – No turf races, but has been finishing in the money on dirt and has top connections who take a chance here on the surface change against an up and coming group

4. #11 Ohonte’s Own (7-2) – Adds blinkers and has at least been competitive in recent starts despite a lack of top end efforts to break through here but has solid consistency

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