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 – Mdn 100k

1. #6 True Legend (3-1) – First time gelding struggled in his dirt debut last time but ran in a state bred stakes with a return to these conditions giving him a good chance here

2. #8 Story of Rory (9-2) – Has finished second in two straight despite competing against lesser, but ran against open company and now is restricted to state breds with good recent performances

3. #7 Hot Off the Beach (4-1) – Steps up from his maiden claiming debut last time out, but ran competitively enough and got a comparable speed figure that puts him in the mix with possible good value

4. #5 Sultan Hassan (7-2) – Sir Walta can’t be ignored with Flavian Prat, but this gelding showed major improvement second time out with his switch to turf and gets another crack at it here

Race 6 – Curlin Stakes

1. #1 Blackout Time (3-1) – Improved last time out sitting a bit further off the lead, but still needs more improvement here to beat Chief Wallabee at this distance

2. #4 Chief Wallabee (4-5) – His Belmont was disappointing, but this colt by Constitution is still far classier than this group and wins if he runs his best

3. #6 Sea Strike (6-1) – Steps well up in class but clearly wants more distance and has the connections to upset here with Prat on a recent hot stretch

4. #3 Zihnal (9-2) – Tiernanogue has more upside with added ground, but can’t ignore Irad Ortiz right now even if this gelding is a step below

Race 7 – OC 80000n2x

1. #1 Tirupati (9-2) – Good recent class and should like the added furlong as long as Saez keeps her off the early lead and closes from mid pack

2. #3 Time to Dream (3-1) – Adds lasix and drops from the Grade I Belmont Oaks with two wins over this course last year but may need some pace to aim at

3. #5 Serendipity (5-2) – Likely can’t go gate to wire if she repeats her recent fractions with added ground here, but could control a modest pace with others who prefer to save ground

4. #4 Relaxx (6-1) – Back to a more manageable distance with Prat in the irons and a good record in the money on turf but needs to run her best to have chances

Race 8 – MC 50000

1. #4 Classic Commander (4-1) – Steps down in class but was still competitive against maiden company, although he may need to finish from off the pace with John Velazquez

2. #5 Rossbeigh (7-2) – Speed figures compare well with this group and has been bet to favorite in two straight with some troubles in the stretch last time

3. #8 Big Frosty (6-1) – Took a step forward last time out on the class drop, and keeps Prat in the irons who has ridden well for Pletcher lately

4. #3 Jack’s Mac (5-1) – Adds lasix and gets the slight edge over Beau Cheval due to the class drop and likely improvement second time out

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