Spa selections 2024: Saratoga picks July 14 * The Racing Biz

Spa selections 2024: Saratoga picks July 14

Joseph Aiello
July 13, 2024

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)!

Consistent Takethemoneyhoney, Passage East fire in Laurel races
A pair of horses never worse than third in 21 combined outings, Takethemoneyhoney and Passage East kept on trucking Saturday at Laurel.

Race 7 – OC 62500n2x

1. #2 Truly Quality (5-2) – Gets the slight edge over Relampago Verde due to consistency, but may be a better play to finish in the top two than to win

2. #7 Relampago Verde (20-1) – This improving McPeek trainee has no issues with distance and has won both his tries on turf plus will be great value

3. #3 Battle of Normandy (7-2) – Better suited going shorter than this, but has good back class and trip versatility that give him a chance on or off the lead

4. #10 Crabs N Beer (8-1) – A twelve for fourteen record in the money on the turf, this grey gelding should enjoy the added distance a bit more than the classier Mondego

Race 8 – Clm 25000n3L

1. #5 Magia Nera (5-2) – Has a few too many second place finishes, but still has shown some of the better races at this distance and class of the group

2. #3 Prove Worthy (6-5) – Seems to prefer longer distance than eight furlongs, but still will be bet off the class drop even though he typically leaves a lot of ground to make up

3. #2 South Street (10-1) – This gelding by Quality Road has been hitting the board in nearly half of his races, and should be in a good mid-pack position to finish well

4. #8 Thank You Jon (12-1) – Tends to run his best when aggressive, and may be able to sit on a slower pace here without much speed in this field

Race 9 – Grade III Quick Call Stakes

1. #3 Fandom (9-2) – Now in the barn of Brad Cox, this colt will need to run his best to beat Star of Mystery, but may get just enough pace to run at here

2. #6 Star of Mystery (4-5) – Will be the favorite if he stays in this field after dropping from the Grade I Jaipur that saw a track record broken and wins if he runs his best

3. #5 Mansa Musa (6-1) – Has shown a strong closing kick in his recent stretch runs, recently winning in a blistering race at this distance over this turf course last month

4. #8 Set (15-1) – Won both of his races under eight furlongs, now cutting back even more and should love the distance relief with his front-running style

Race 10 – Clm 30000n2L

1. #10 Billy’s Got Issues (6-1) – Tough post, but adds blinkers and has some speed figures that compare favorably to this group at good value

2. #1 La Maquina (8-1) – Showed good promise and speed two years ago before a long layoff, and can compete here if Santana puts this horse on the lead

3. #5 Downing Street (8-1) – Has a race three back that is good enough to put him in the top three, but might need some pace to aim at for a strong finish

4. #2 Big Big Star (6-1) – Has five tries all at Midlantic tracks, and gets the nod over some others due to his forward positioning which should be advantageous here