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. #6 Roja Redemption (4-1) – Has been running consistently well and should be the right value here stepping up in class with a good chance to control this race from the jump

2. #8 McTigue (9-5) – Has the best top end races here after winning the Leo O’Brien last time out, but also failed to finish two back even with his strong performances over this course

3. #3 St James the Great (7-2) – Finished a distant third to McTigue last time, but can finish in the mix if he stays involved early here

4. #1 Fil Dor (8-1) – Is a grade I winner who struggled last time out but can be a threat if he controls a slower pace this time around

Race 8 – OC 80000n2x

1. #5 Marketplaceofideas (8-1) – Winner of two straight including over this turf course last time out in June, but still needs to take a step forward here to win at decent value

2. #6 Brisbane (5-2) – Nearly missed last time and now gets Prat in the irons for Chad Brown with good performances at this distance and solid stretch runs this year

3. #1 Ashikidah (2-1) – Was passed by Brisbane last time out in the stretch, and now gets her second try in North America with some room for improvement

4. #3 Tirupati (7-2) – Solid back class and record in the money at the distance, with her best efforts coming with more forward trips which Saez is known for

Race 9 – Johnstone Stakes

1. #6 Usha (6-5) – Baffert trainee appears to be a step above the rest from a class perspective but has shown some inconsistency at seven furlongs with this pace scenario setting up for her

2. #5 With the Angels (7-2) – Consistently bet to favorite against lesser competition and has the right form to thrive at this distance plus gets Jose Ortiz here

3. #3 Munnings Express (8-1) – The other Linda Rice trainee has hit the board in all eleven of her tries and has good early speed to contend with Bam’s Bliss Kiss, and looks for a breakthrough win at this track

4. #8 Naive Melody (12-1) – Probably prefers six furlongs, but has the speed to give this field problems even if she runs out of gas late

Race 10 – MC 50000

1. #10 Classic Commander (7-2) – Major class relief and had at least been competitive against better which should give him a leg up on the others here

2. #6 Rossbeigh (5-2) – Failed as a favorite in his last two against similar company, and will need to put in a top effort to find the winner’s circle in his fourth start

3. #1 Beau Cheval (9-2) – Ran well last time out and has shown a good forward moves when rating but still hung out in the stretch in his last two and needs to improve

4. #2 Vitalize (12-1) – His turf routes have all ended in commendable finishes compared to his dirt performances, with another chance at turf here after fading late last time

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