Spa selections 2024: Saratoga picks July 13 * The Racing Biz

Spa selections 2024: Saratoga picks July 13

Joseph Aiello
July 12, 2024

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)!

Delaware Park picks and analysis: July 24, 2025
Racing returns to Delaware Park, and we return with Delaware Park picks and analysis for the track’s 88th racing season.

Race 2 – Grade III Kelso Stakes

1. #2 Mysterious Night (8-5) – Moved a bit too late in the Grade III Poker here last month, but still remains the best in here if he runs his race in a stalking position

2. #4 Talk of the Nation (2-1) – This Pletcher trainee has hit the board in every try at eight furlongs on the turf, looking for his first graded win here after a few near misses

3. #5 Carl Spackler (2-1) – Didn’t get the best trip last time in the Poker, but still has some strong performances over this course and could be a fair price off of a loss

4. #3 Northern Invader (5-1) – Might be a slight notch below the top three, but has enough class and almost always puts his best foot forward with some trip versatility

Race 9 – OC 62500n2x

1. #10 Taking Candy (10-1) – Hasn’t run since September over this turf course, but comes out of a grade III and has enough upside from on or off the pace to win

2. #8 Irish Aces (2-1) – Also drops from a grade III, but may have to close from well off the lead and will likely be a short price without a clear cut top choice here

3. #7 Georgie W (8-1) – Takes blinkers off and gets Irad Ortiz, showing an upward trend in his speed figures which puts him in the mix with the top contenders here

4. #3 Phileas Fogg (12-1) – Could show some early speed from post two, with a repeat of his most recent turf race at this distance good enough to steal a win here

Race 10 – Grade I Diana Stakes

1. #4 Didia (7-2) – If any runner can stop the Chad Brown reign in the Diana, it is this Ignacio Correas trainee who won at Saratoga last month and is good at nine furlongs

2. #10 Chili Flag (9-2) – Has been hugely impressive recently, winning four of her last five races and runs particularly well with Irad Ortiz in the irons who returns

3. #1 Moira (5-1) – Certainly has the class, but has had winning issues recently finishing second in a slew of races, even if she should be a factor late here

4. #6 Whitebeam (4-1) – Won this race last year for Chad Brown, now one of his five entries here and flies under the radar after her near loss last race

Race 11 – Grade III Sanford Stakes

1. #6 Studlydoright (7-2) – Impressive in the Tremont a month ago here, now will hope for Mentee to go out in similar fractions this time and should like the extra furlong

2. #8 Mo Plex (6-1) – Can’t ignore a colt who won by ten lengths in his debut, but now steps up in class and will need to continue to improve to have winning chances here

3. #1 Mentee (6-5) – Won’t be able to win if he goes out in similar fractions to his debut, but having control of this race if the pace is more modest could be enough

4. #5 Three Echoes (4-1) – Needs to sit in a stalking position to conserve some energy, but has enough upside to win here with the right set up and trip

Race 12 – OClm 35000

1. #2 Dr Oseran (7-2) – Might end up being too short a price due to the connections, but without a real standout here, this colt has versatility to rate or be on the lead

2. #6 Sugar Gray Leonard (6-1) – Drops in class which should lead to some improvement, and could get the right set up to come from off the pace here

3. #1 Final Verdict (6-1) – Ran his first turf race last time out and was disqualified from first, but showed ability to go gate to wire and could be a threat to do so here

4. #8 Playground Legend (12-1) – Has hit the board in all four tries at this distance, and even if he isn’t a likely winner, should finish well to be in the mix