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 6 – OC 80000n2x

1. #7 Alyeska (9-5) – A likely winner if she repeats her most recent tries, but does come off a longer layoff from late September here

2. #3 Limes Don’t Lie (7-2) – The second Chad Brown entry ran against better last time and has hit the board in all four tries over this track in her career

3. #1 She’s a Gamer (5-1) – Hasn’t faced as classy of competition, but may have a tactical advantage over thsi group and won by seven lengths last time out

4. #4 Strong State (4-1) – Prat left Alyeska to ride this filly who has run well over this course and has good back class but may need some early pace to factor in here

Race 7 – Mdn 115k

1. #8 Road Show (7-2) – Has the sharpest recent works of this field and gets Jose Ortiz who has already won three races for Casse this meet and should be aggressive early

2. #3 Saratoga Tea (9-2) – Colt by Yaupon debuts with a consistent workout pattern and a quarter of a million price tag as a two year old in March

3. #6 Five Grand (5-2) – Frequent four furlong works for this colt by Vekoma who has connections that have won at a 25% clip together over the last year

4. #5 Ninuccio (15-1) – Hennig trained grey colt debuts here and may get overlooked but gets the hall of famer John Velazquez in the irons who is off to a good start this meet

Race 8 – OClm 45000

1. #10 High Beta (7-2) – First time gelding starts off the bench and has two wins and two places in four starts for Chad Brown and has winning chances with a mid pack trip from Irad Ortiz

2. #6 Highlands Way (6-1) – Steps up from maiden claiming but won easily last time out and keeps Flavian Prat and can threaten if he builds off that effort for Todd Pletcher

3. #12 The Paddock Pastor (8-1) – Tougher post, but offers good value and nearly won last time out from post eleven over this track with a win in his lone try at a mile on turf

4. #4 Remi’s Moon (6-1) – Seemed to take to turf last time out and may have just needed more distance to run into which he will get here in just his second turf try

Race 9 – MC 50000

1. #11 Twenty One Red (7-2) – Has had plenty of cracks at maiden claiming company, but could be sitting the right stalking trip off of a few who appear primed to grab the lead which should set up well

2. #10 Eye On the Ball (8-1) – Better post than Thirsted who is another that prefers turf sprints, but this gelding took a clear step forward last time in his first try on turf

3. #2 Mykonos (9-2) – Should be near the lead against this underwhelming group which may be all that is needed for a good finish here

4. #1 Until Last Fall (8-1) – Held on well after setting a quicker pace last time and has shown some recent improvement with a good chance to hold in the top four with a similar aggressive ride

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