Spa Selections 2025: Saratoga Picks July 19
Joseph Aiello
July 18, 2025
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 8 – OC 50000n1x
1. #10 Steadfast Resolve (5-1) – May have to close from far back, but in a brutally tough field where anyone could win, this one should at least be making a late charge
2. #9 Padiddle (7-2) – Has been better since switching to turf, and may improve with the class relief here after three straight graded tries
3. #6 Bettrluckythangood (6-1) – Is one that should love the added distance and always seems to be searching for more ground in his stretch runs
4. #7 Mayor of Midnight (5-1) – Gets the slight edge over Greystone due to the connections, but will need to continue to improve to have winning chances
Race 9 – Grade III Caress Stakes
1. #6 Pipsy (7-2) – Might be tough to wire this field like she did in the Intercontinental, but has been running well and has the ability to win from off the lead if necessary
2. #7 Future Is Now (5-2) – Nearly missed against Pipsy last time and is still the most consistent runner of this group plus has hit the board in all four tries at the Spa
3. #4 Kairyu (6-1) – Loses Flavian Prat but has finished in the mix against graded competition and should have good value in a strong field
4. #5 Pandora’s Gift (5-1) – Almost edged out Future Is Now two back, and was just a cut below the best in the Intercontinental, but has enough talent to hit the board
Race 10 – Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks
1. #6 La Cara (2-1) – Went out too fast in the Kentucky Oaks, but returned in the Acorn to go gate to wire and has a good chance to do so here over a track she enjoys
2. #2 Sweet Seraphine (8-1) – Took advantage of a blistering pace last time and would be the primary candidate to do so here if Dry Powder pushes La Cara out too fast
3. #1 Immersive (8-5) – Has won her two tries over this track and may have been a bit too forward than she prefers last time out so a return to mid pack could lead to a win
4. #4 Take Charge Milady (9-2) – Bested Immersive last time and has trained well recently plus always runs her best unless she misses the break and falls back early
Race 11 – Grade II Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap
1. #4 Mullikin (7-2) – Looks to exact his revenge on Book’em Danno and should be sitting off of Skelly early with a chance to hold on at this distance
2. #5 Book’em Danno (5-2) – Undefeated at six furlongs, but his running style may work better at seven so he needs a repeat of his early positioning from last race to win
3. #2 Full Moon Madness (15-1) – Not the classiest, but has still won a grade III and seems to be on the upswing and is strong at this distance
4. #6 Nash (8-1) – Three strong races in a row at this distance and has shown improvement since switching to six furlongs plus should be in a good stalking position
Race 12 – Alw 110000n1x
1. #9 Invictus (4-1) – Won his only try at the distance and was closing well last time but needs a sharper break to have winning chances here
2. #3 Vekoma Rides (10-1) – Adds blinkers and figures to be forwardly placed in this spot with some solid value in a race that is up for grabs
3. #6 Stars and Strides (7-5) – Colt by American Pharoah is a deserving favorite but won his debut in the slop and needs to improve to win
4. #11 Singleminded (15-1) – Romped in his first win last time out against lesser competition, and is positioned a bit better than the outside breaking Rookie Card
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