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 – Clm 55000n2L

1. #3 Maximum Promise (4-1) – Class dropper didn’t run well last time but has a good effort against claimers two back at the distance and should get back to his best performances here

2. #6 Sharons Pharoah (3-1) – Significant drop in class for this gelding by American Pharoah who gets Manny Franco and has the previous form to win here

3. #4 Madagascar (5-1) – Has shown minor improvement coming from mid pack recently with the chance to be a good value play here but may need some pace to aim at

4. #5 Light Cav (9-2) – Off the pace runner faltered against better last time, but does have a strong closing kick if his form from Indiana translates here

Race 7 – Mdn 90k

1. #8 Nodin (10-1) – Sharp recent four furlong breeze after his six furlong try that led to a place finish and was one of the better efforts of this field

2. #5 Pirate Ship (5-1) – Showed clear improvement with the surface change second time out, but will need to take another step forward to win here even against a lesser group

3. #3 Its Saturday Night (4-1) – Questionable field leaves this first time starter by Mandaloun who could be aggressive here with a good workout pattern

4. #2 Cybertapping (10-1) – Others haven’t shown enough to warrant a play over this first timer who debuts for Linda Rice with Manny Franco in the saddle

Race 8 – Skidmore Stakes

1. #5 River of Deceit (5-2) – Finished second in his debut in what may have been the sharpest effort of this field, and could be a winner with improvement off that try

2. #6 Titan Ready (8-5) – Brad Cox trainee switches from the Woodbine artificial to turf here, and may have the most early speed of the bunch but has been run down in two straight

3. #8 Wood Island (7-2) – Colt by Jackie’s Warrior won first time out on an off track, but did so in a slower effort and is unlikely to get as easy a trip this time around

4. #7 Legacy Lady (8-1) – Won comfortably in her turf debut at Monmouth, but now takes a step up in class to face the boys and will face early pressure

Race 9 – Alw 50000s

1. #4 Coach Case (8-5) – Good record in the money and a near winner in two straight at this track, this gelding keeps Prat and should be a top win contender here

2. #2 Final Denile (9-2) – Has run against open company before switching back to state breds last time, and has the speed figures to factor in here despite no wins on the turf

3. #1 Blame It On K J (8-1) – Back to back solid efforts over this track including a maiden claiming win, and steps up from an open company claimer where he showed a good late kick which he should here again

4. #3 Manor Park (12-1) – Gets a boost on the class drop from the Rick Violette Stakes where he drifted well back in the stretch, but can compete with his effort from two back here

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