Spa Selections 2025: Saratoga Picks August 31 * The Racing Biz

Cover photo by Nyra/Adam Coglianese.

In SPA selections, Saratoga -correspondent Joseph Aiello offers Saratoga -picks for a handful of important races in Saratoga, including all the exciting Stakesactie!

Follow all the meeting with all the exciting action (and good gambling options)!

View our Other handicapping here!

Race 5 – Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes

1. #8 Antiquarian (12-1) – Make a shot with the other Pletcher -Stagee who closed well in the suburbs and could sit directly from the leaders with the chance to jump late

2. #3 Sierra Leone (8-5) – consistently the best runner here, but can leave itself too much terrain and is often short, unless the pace collapses

3. #4 Mindframe (2-1) – Has not yet won ten Furlongs and was tiring in the Belmont last year about this song, but perhaps the best of this couple at the moment when he is sharp

4. #7 Phileas Fogg (15-1) – Can definitely win with the right journey given his record at this distance, but with the opposite thinking probably presses on him, it will be more difficult here

Race 10 – Disco Partner Stakes

1. #8 works for me (6-1) – Betting on a favorite last time against a better horse, and can go back to his winning ways by avoiding the band home

2. #5 Six Six Black (4-1) – the last time made a huge switch in the second in the class II Troy, but perhaps Doncho needs to go out quickly to aim the leaders

3. #7 Appeal (9-2) -comes from a class I and Grade II in Back -To Back attempts about this track, and is good at finishing the money at this distance

4. #6 Doncho (7-2) – Large Invasion may need a race from the bank, but this gelding has the most speed here, so it can be dangerous if he gets the early lead

Race 11 – MC 30000

1. #1 Eighty gold (10-1) – his only dirty attempt to claim that the company was his best, because this gelding could be a value game at this distance if he breaks the lead

2. #3 Rout (2-1) – switches to dirt after his Dirt debut for Chad Brown, and should improve the class drop with solid connections at this location

3. #4 Army Proud (5-1) – can win when he returns to his form of two backs and the best average speed figures here has a struiting back from the last attempt

4. #8 SmallChangegeep (10-1) – can there be one that goes a step forward with the cutbacks remotely, because his last two attempts have been too far too far

Race 12 – OCLM 32000

1. #2 Navajo Warrior (2-1) – has won his last three and should be in the lead with Irad Ortiz with a chance to maintain the line here

2. #9 Hero status (9-2) – Classier then most of these, and returned to form the last time in the drop to claim company with good winning opportunities here if he stays sharp

3. #1a alternative reality (7-2) – Was not his best last time, but came from the bank and has a good record in the money at this distance and gets Alvarado here

4. #6 Gasoline (6-1) – has both attempts about this song, including the last time -out, and has the top races to compete here despite some inconsistency



Race 13 – CLM 17500N2L

1. #5 Kyle’s mom (8-1) – Maybe there is a gamble from a first claimant, but can win with a repeat of her last race with the best seven Furlong effort of this field

2. #11 Belle Cherie (9-2) – makes a huge decrease in the class for maker, and despite some disappointments in the past, it should be in the mix in this company

3. #7 Carolina Smokshow (4-1) – Has the speed figures to compete and possibly win, and maybe just a return to a dry job and a better start in the mix

4. #8 Julita (8-1) – gets a slight lead over lollipops because of the class decline and has shown her the best when she is more involved in the early pace

Race 14 – MC 50000

1. #11 Deemer (8-5) – Maiden Company falls and adds Lasix First Time, which should lead to improvement against a smaller field

2. #2 Hello Newman (3-1) – Last time took a clear step forward in the classroom, but perhaps prefer a shorter distance to this, which can be a problem

3. #3 Let’s fight (9-2) – Maker switches this foal to grass and drops it in the classroom, but should still improve to have a winning opportunities here

4. #9 Mission Hill (15-1) – has not been competitive since he switched to the Duggan barn, but eventually falls into class and has opportunities if he gets old form back

View the newest to the Races Radio!