Horse Racing Picks: Saratoga Predictions, Previews, and Odds (Aug 19)

• Two graded races headline the action at Saratoga on Saturday
• The action is headlined by the G1 Alabama Stakes

The high-quality racing action continues at Saratoga this weekend, with two graded stakes races headlining the card. Both should be informative when it comes to big races further in the season, and you can find our horse racing picks below.

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Schedule and How To Watch

• When: Saturday, August 19, 2023, from 1:30 p.m. ET
• Where: Saratoga, New York
• How To Watch: FanDuel TV

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Lake Placid Stakes Odds & Pick

Horse	Odds
Surge Capacity	+300
Aspray	+350
Gloria’s Princess	+450
Prerequisite	+450
Tax Implications	+500
Heavenly Sunday	+600
Junipermarshmallow	+1200
Soviet Excess	+1500

The G2 Lake Placid Stakes is the seventh race on the card at Saratoga on Saturday. This race will cover a distance of 1 1/16 miles, and is scheduled to take place on the turf. Fillies aged three will be involved in the race. The betting could take a different shape if both Leave No Trace and Undervalued Asset line up in the contest, but neither are assured of a spot at this stage.

Aspray looks like a solid contender for Chad Brown this weekend, as she drop back down in trip after finishing fourth in the G1 Belmont Oaks. The drop in grade is a key consideration to make, as she was an impressive winner over a mile at Pimlico in the Hilltop earlier in the campaign.

Gloria’s Princess has also got solid claims this weekend after winning each of her previous two. That includes a victory over 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs, where she scored a career-best speed figure of 99. But, it remains to be seen how competitive she could be in this company.

At the current prices, I’d be more than happy to give Tax Implications one more chance. The three-year-old for Chad Brown has finished second in each of her previous three starts. Most notably, that includes a solid effort at Saratoga over a mile in the G3 Lake George. She shaped as if 1 1/16 miles could bring out further improvement this weekend.

Free Pick:

READ MORE: Canelo Alvarez vs Jermell Charlo Prediction, Preview, and Odds (Sept 30)

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Alabama Stakes Odds & Pick

Horse	Odds
Wet Paint	+200
Randomized	+350
Julia Shining	+500
Sacred Wish	+800
Gambling Girl	+800
Taxed	+800
Defining Purpose	+1000
Fireline	+1200
Chocolate Gelato	+1500
Sabra Tuff	+3000

The feature on the card at Saratoga on Saturday comes in the form of the G1 Alabama Stakes, which is due off at 5:45 PM ET. This race is for fillies aged three, and a total distance of 1 ¼ miles will be covered on the dirt. It could have a big impact on the current betting for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, with a number of interesting contenders involved this weekend.

Wet Paint appears to be the horse to beat this weekend, as she is currently ranked as the second-best three-year-old filly in North America. The Brad Cox runner was excellent on her previous start, as she landed the G1 Coaching Club American Oaks over course and distance. However, the draw would be a slight concern.

WET PAINT, by @claibornefarm stallion Blame, runs down the competition in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) with Flavien Prat up for @bradcoxracing and @godolphin! #Saratoga pic.twitter.com/Eh9kubgKTJ

— NYRA (🌳) (@TheNYRA) July 22, 2023

Sacred Wish doesn’t have much to find on Wet Paint after losing by a neck to her reappearing rival in the Coaching Club. However, she has won just once during her career. But, she deserves respect for trainer George Weaver, who is enjoying a fine season at Saratoga.

Gambling Girl and Chocolate Gelato are two contenders worth considering at bigger prices. However, we will be taking a chance on Julia Shining. The Todd Pletcher-runner is very lightly raced, and landed the G2 Demoiselle last year. She was beaten by half a length in the G1 Ashland, and connections certainly appear to have big plans for the progressive three-year-old after bypassing the G1 Kentucky Oaks earlier in the campaign.

Free Pick: