Spa Selections 2026: Saratoga Picks August 8
Joseph Aiello
August 7, 2026
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!
1. #12 And the Runner Is (7-2) – The best of the starters here, this grey colt has a sharp jockey trainer combo who have won two of three this meet and should show improvement here second time out
2. #11 Bold Leadership (8-1) – Good workout pattern for this colt by Not This Time who passed Into Mischief as the leading sire for progeny earnings this year with Magnitude leading the charge
3. #7 Revenue Stream (4-1) – Can’t pass up these connections on the turf as this Klaravich colt debuts for Chad Brown with Prat taking the saddle here
4. #9 Berta’s Stitch (6-1) – Ran on last time out to finish behind And the Runner Is, and will need to improve to win here but should be in the mix with her experience edge over the others
Race 9 – Grade I Test Stakes
1. #1 Movie Night (7-2) – Speedy filly has shown minor improvement in three tries and has the recent efforts to win here as she steps up into graded stakes company with Jose Ortiz and a solid morning line price
2. #7 Explora (5-2) – Classiest filly of the bunch who has proven to be better at sprint distances and is the most likely winner if Prat has her stalk the leaders and make a late charge
3. #6 On Time Girl (9-2) – Couldn’t run down Explora last time out but has some of the sharper seven furlong races here with the ability to be more forward or rate if the front end is crowded
4. #3 Sippin Pretty (6-1) – Goodall disappointed last time in the Victory Ride where this filly ran down her late and flashed her upside over this course but needs to build off that try to have chances here
Race 10 – Grade I Fourstardave Stakes
1. #7 Lagynos (5-1) – Potential for plenty of early speed should set up well for Capitol Hill and this horse who gets the edge with Jose Ortiz and a potentially good price in a difficult field
2. #5 Deterministic (2-1) – Won this race last year and also proved that extra distance isn’t an issue, with wins in six straight turf races and the likely favorite here who should be on the lead early
3. #3 Zulu Kingdom (7-2) – Had a good bounce back effort in a dead heat Kelso win, and should be stalking the leaders here again with legitimate speed from the Casse duo to his immediate inside and outside
4. #1 Rhetorical (5-2) – Has sharp early speed but may be another who looks to sit directly behind the leaders with some stalking style wins over this track last year and keeps Irad Ortiz
Race 11 – Grade I Saratoga Derby Stakes
1. #10 West End Kid (7-2) – Consistent finisher in his five tries with no issues from outside posts in the past, now taking blinkers off with the added ground
2. #3 Remember Mamba (3-1) – Graded stakes winner nearly missed last time in the Grade I Belmont Derby and should be a top win contender here with Jose Ortiz remaining in the irons
3. #1 Glavine (12-1) – Opted for this race over the Hall of Fame, and with the scratch of Pacific Avenue this colt becomes a strong contender to run well late with the need for extra distance
4. #4 Title Role (9-2) – The scratching of Pacific Avenue and inconsistency of Heeere’s Johnny leave this Belmont Derby winner who sat on modest fractions to hold on late but likely won’t get as easy of a trip this time
Race 12 – Grade I Whitney Stakes
1. #5 White Abarrio (8-1) – Didn’t take to the slop last time out, but ran well two back and could be a good number with Irad in the irons which is worth a play in this strong field
2. #1 Magnitude (9-5) – Looks like the best of this bunch recently in terms of consistency, and could be dangerous purely with his early speed but may face some pressure from Nitrogen or Forged Steel
3. #6 Sovereignty (3-1) – Hasn’t looked as sharp as a four year old but still has the running style to win if Nitrogen goes at Magnitude early with three wins over this track
4. #8 Baeza (7-2) – Deeper closer could take advantage of pace and has been more consistent than Nitrogen despite a lack of top end wins but usually finds his way into the mix late
Race 13 – OC 55000n1x
1. #3 Helen’s Revenge (6-1) – Two wins at the distance with some good finishes at sprint distances and gets Prat in the irons here for Linda Rice
2. #8 Battis Grove (3-1) – Class dropper who has good speed figures compared to this group and should be on or near the lead early which gives her a leg up on some late finishers
3. #1 Romantic Dancer (4-1) – Has nearly missed at seven furlongs three times, with a good record in the money but may have some seconditis as she tends to lose interest late
4. #9 Beach Heist (6-1) – No dirt experience for this Walden trainee, but has outperformed Feminism recently and drops from stakes company with the early speed to contend
Race 14 – OC 55000n1x
1. #9 Stark (8-1) – Takes a step up in class from his maiden win last time at ten furlongs, but has the late kick to thrive at the distance even if he may need some pace to aim at as a value play
2. #7 Complex Agenda (9-2) – Has a good chance of controlling this race from the jump, with the most consistent early speed and could sit on modest fractions here
3. #2 Capital Partner (7-2) – Has run against better and has been bet to favorite in three out of four tries, but needs to prove he can stretch out to this distance with top flight connections
4. #4 Versailles Road (5-1) – Presider has more back class and run his best in turf routes, but this colt by Quality Road has no issues with distance and broke his maiden at eleven furlongs two back
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