Spa Selections 2025: Saratoga Picks July 23

  • userJoseph Aiello
  • dateJuly 22, 2025

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 A.P. Smithwick Memorial Handicap

1. #5 Proven Innocent (5-2) – A grade I winner here over a month ago, this gelding by Blame has flourished at this distance and has two wins over this track

2. #7 Awakened (2-1) – Certainly has the class to be a top contender here, but hasn’t won in two years even if he has been good over this track and at the distance

3. #3 Jimmy P (7-2) – Gets back to a more manageable distance and can win if he repeats his Sheppard win over this track from last year but needs to bounce back

4. #4 Howyabud (8-1) – Failed to finish last time out in May, but won over this track three years ago and can finish in the mix even if he doesn’t win

Race 7 – Alw 50000

1. #7 Despo’s Dream (9-2) – Has finished well amongst this class and typically runs on in her stretch runs plus is probably best suited for seven furlongs and gets Prat here

2. #3 Biera (7-2) – Steps up in class and went gate to wire last time out at a mile, so could be aggressive here at seven furlongs with a chance to wire

3. #2 Looks First (10-1) – This Maryland bred is one to watch if the pace collapses a bit given her late running style and should be good value

4. #4 Daisy Duke (2-1) – Might be too short of odds at this price, but it is hard to fully pass up on Irad Ortiz and this filly who gets her first try at seven furlongs

Race 8 – OC 75000n2x

1. #1 All Class (4-1) – Linda Rice trainee goes back to dirt and has a good record in the money plus Carmouche has won three of four for Rice already this meet

2. #2 The Big Calhouna (1-1) – Another half of an entry like All Class, this filly should have control of the lead along with Golden Degree, and gets to a manageable distance

3. #4 Caress (8-1) – Took them all the way around last time out, and typically runs her best when more forwardly placed but hasn’t run well off the bench thus far

4. #3 Princess Madison (6-1) – Has the back class to be considered here and was a winner over this track last summer with a good running style for this group

Race 9 – Mdn 90k

1. #6 Askingforafriend (7-2) – This Maker trainee by Practical Joke showed major improvement last time in a switch to turf and keeps Irad Ortiz in the irons here

2. #4 The Commish (6-1) – Steps up from maiden claimers but ran well in defeat last time up on a quicker pace and should be in the mix early

3. #7 King Puck (8-5) – Has been bet to favorite in three straight, and can win with a repeat of his last try with Joel Rosario who has been on a roll recently

4. #5 Rout (4-1) – First time starter for Klaravich and Chad Brown gets a slight edge over Light Fantastic due to connections, but isn’t the likeliest winner

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!

LATEST NEWS