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 110000b

1. #1 Fionn (6-5) – Back to a manageable distance even if she may prefer more ground, but has the best races here if she bounces back from her last effort

2. #5 Amber Cascade (6-1) – Had a strong showing at this distance last year at Ellis Park, and followed that up with a strong place over this course but may need some pace to aim at

3. #2 Shotgun Wedding (7-2) – Turf races would put this filly in the mix with Jose Ortiz even if she lacks wins at this stage of her turf career

4. #3 Table Flirt (3-1) – Spinning Colors hasn’t been winning recently and Ready to Jam is unproven at this distance leaving this Mott trainee who could close into the money

Race 7 – OC 80000n2x

1. #6 Shoot It True (1-1) – Drops in class and has the races to win here, but has narrowly missed in four straight even with good performances over this track and at the distance

2. #1 Abientot (6-1) – A strong late finisher who often leaves herself too much ground to make up, this filly should factor in late and offers better value than Shoot It True but needs to run her best to win

3. #3 Highway Harmony (5-2) – Gate to wire threat could just steal this race if she gets away from Quiet Confidence early and repeats her form from last race

4. #5 Opulent Restraint (12-1) – Quiet Confidence has a chance if he can get away clean from Highway Harmony, but this filly still has talent and strong back class if her form adjusts well to this distance

Race 8 – Birdstone Stakes

1. #1 Parchment Party (8-5) – No clear standout in this field leaves this distance specialist who won here last year and should improve from the Grade II Suburban

2. #6 Interceptor (9-2) – Ran second to Parchment Party two back and seems to have no issues with added ground especially if Irad Ortiz leaves him sitting of the leaders early

3. #7 Jokestar (4-1) – Has had strong performances in mile and a half races, finishing within a half length of Parchment Party two back in a stakes at Oaklawn

4. #3 Stars and Stripes (5-2) – Has to prove he can perform at this distance, but was trending in the right direction before the Suburban and still has talent compared to this group

Race 9 – Mdn 115k

1. #9 Complex Charlie (7-2) – Ran against Sea Strike last time out in April and could improve here with a drop in competition and an upward trend in speed figures

2. #2 Criteria (5-2) – Irad Ortiz takes this mount after his brother guided this Yaupon colt last time out against a talented maiden field where he held for third

3. #10 Holy Seven (5-1) – Flashed good speed over this track in early July, and could be a threat if he settles into more modest fractions this time around

4. #3 Spherical (10-1) – Flight Commander has some upside first time out, but this gelding by City of Light showed improvement last time and has the speed to challenge Holy Seven

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