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 Handicap

1. #9 Jimmy P (5-2) – Consistently keeps strong company as one that primarily competes in grade I hurdlers, winning this race last year by thirty-four lengths

2. #4 Hidden Path (10-1) – Won here last time out and ran well over this course last year, this gelding by Hard Spun has shown good consistency and offers value here

3. #6 Sweet Will (15-1) – Has yet to win, but should have no issues with this distance considering he went further last time as he steps up in class here

4. #3 Who’s Counting (5-1)– Maryland bred runner has been in the mix in most of her hurdle races, but would still need to improve to have real winning chances

Race 2 – Funny Cide Stakes

1. #5 Minorinconvenience (5-2) – Took advantage of a sloppy surface to win last time out by ten lengths, but still needs to build off that effort if the track is dry here

2. #2 Toga Twist (1-1) – By Omaha Beach, this colt won at first asking, but sat on a modest pace and didn’t finish particularly fast so will need to improve

3. #3 Fourth and One (8-5) – Could be dangerous here as a first time starter, getting Irad Ortiz and having the most upside of the group

4. #4 Rumblyoungmanrumbl (15-1) – Uncompetitive in his debut, but still finished ahead of his stablemate who rounds out this field from the inside post

Race 8 – P. G. Johnson Stakes

1. #2 Time to Dream (2-1) – Got up to win comfortably in her first start, and should be in the right spot mid pack but may need someone to press Scratch it early

2. #6 Devilish Grin (10-1) – Has been closing in her two tries, but may just need more distance to close into to have winning chances with Joel Rosario

3. #7 Scratch It (3-1) – Went gate to wire in her debut at this distance, but set slow fractions and may not have it as easy this time around

4. #1 Blanchett (7-2) – Tiz in Sight has some questions switching surfaces and stretching in distance, but this one should prefer more ground from her first start

Race 9 – Mdn 80k

1. #3 Doppio Expresso (5-1) – Strong workout pattern for this filly by Quality Road who may offer good value and can compete if she takes to turf

2. #2 Bella Knows (6-1) – Brad Cox trainee debuts with Manny Franco who he has won at a thirty-one percent clip with over the last year

3. #6 Revel Toast (7-2) – The most impressive of the starters, this filly can win with some slight improvement from her lone try against mostly non starters

4. #9 Scorch (3-1) – Was slated to run on turf first time out, but still ran well in the mud and should be in a good stalking position with Rosario here

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