Saratoga Picks: Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes (9/5/2026)

Chris Adams

Written by: Chris Adams

Published: Sat Sep 05, 2026, 9:00 am ET

Read Time: 8 minutes

Saratoga Picks

horses

The racing action from Saratoga on Saturday features the Spinaway Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Saratoga picks for the entire card!

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Saratoga Full Card Analysis

Saratoga Picks: Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes (9/5/2026)

Saratoga Picks: Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes (9/5/2026)

Saratoga Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 12:05 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $115k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

  • #9 BELZONI (6-1): Top Pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Race sets up perfectly.
  • #2 MYSTRIX (4-1): Major Player. Good race flow for this runner.
  • #8 IMPLIED OPEN (5-1): Major Player. Castellano and Walden team up on this one. Likely in the mix early.
  • #4 U.S.S. VALOR (5-2): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Could be grinding down the competition late.

Selections: 9 – 2 – 8 – 4

The Plays

Win: #9 at 5-1

Exacta: 9 / 2,8,4

Saratoga Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 12:38 PM ET; With Anticipation Stakes $225k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 5 runners.

  • #3 HIGH OFFICIAL (7-5): Top Pick. Should improve off the debut. Barn has been solid.
  • #2 LIAM'S LAW (5-2): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
  • #4 BOLD LEADERSHIP (8-5): Major Player. Franco puts this one in with a chance. Speed figs match up nicely.
  • #1 HOWARD'S HOPE (8-1): Contender. Lezcano puts this one in with a chance. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.

Selections: 3 – 2 – 4 – 1

The Plays

Win: #3 at 6-5

Exacta: 3 / 2,4

Saratoga Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 1:11 PM ET; Allowance $120k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.

  • #7 FAVORABLE SCENARIO (8-5): Top Pick. Love the heart this one shows in a fight. Barn has been solid.
  • #4 HIGHLANDS WAY (9-5): Major Player. Productive recent form. Should still be running strong in the closing stages.
  • #5 THIRTEEN COLONIES (5-1): Contender. Barn has been sending out runners. Could jump up in the figures and be dangerous.
  • #2 FUNNY FACTOR (8-1): Contender. Potential to get the pace of the race flow. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.

Selections: 7 – 4 – 5 – 2

The Plays

Win: #7 at 6-5

Exacta Box: 7,4

Saratoga Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 1:44 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $110k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

  • #4 THREE B'S (5-1): Top Pick. Race sets up perfectly.
  • #7 B THEDONALD (7-2): Major Player. Prat puts this one in with a chance. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
  • #6 TEN CENT TOWN (4-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
  • #8 ANTONIO OF VENICE (8-1): Major Player. Ran at this level last out. Fast enough on paper to compete.

Selections: 4 – 7 – 6 – 8

The Plays

Win: #4 at 4-1

Exacta: 4 / 7,6,8

Saratoga Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 2:17 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $115k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

  • #6 AERIAL AFFAIR (9-2): Top Pick. Race may setup for this runner. Looks good based on the 79 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
  • #8 SECRET WISH (4-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Trainer is having a great meet.
  • #1 CHRISTOPHER VEDDER (8-1): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Not likely to be short in the stretch.
  • #2 JOY OF LIFE (8-1): Major Player. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field. Alvarado and Mott team up on this one.

Selections: 6 – 8 – 1 – 2

The Plays

Win: #6 at 7-2

Exacta: 6 / 8,1,2

Saratoga Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 2:50 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $130k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

  • #7 DONEGAL SURGES (8-1): Top Pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
  • #5 REASONED ANALYSIS (5-2): Major Player. Speed figures match this group well. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
  • #4 DOC SULLIVAN (3-1): Major Player. Likely in the mix early. The 101 speed rating is among the best in the field.
  • #1 WYNSTOCK (9-2): Major Player. Potential to get the pace of the race flow. Ran at this level last out.

Selections: 7 – 5 – 4 – 1

The Plays

Win: #7 at 5-1

Pick 3 (Races 6-8): #7,5  with #3,8 with #5

Exacta: 7 / 5,4,1

Saratoga Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 3:24 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $115k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

  • #3 TRUE ESSENCE (3-1): Top Pick. Top connections on the circuit with Franco and Cox. Looks good based on the 82 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
  • #8 JACKPOT ROCKET (8-1): Major Player. Running well of late. Good race flow for this runner.
  • #6 ELECTRO (9-2): Major Player. Pedigree fits in this spot. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
  • #9 PHAROCITY (7-2): Major Player. Trainer's horses have been running. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 3 – 8 – 6 – 9

The Plays

Win: #3 at 5-2

Exacta: 3 / 8,6,9

Saratoga Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 3:58 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $115k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 13 runners.

  • #5 RELATED PARTY (5-2): Best Bet of the Card. Looks good based on the 77 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Shouldn't have trouble getting the distance. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
  • #3 ARTEMIS TWO (7-2): Contender. Castellano puts this one in with a chance.
  • #11 RENEGADE SPIRIT (8-1): Fringe Contender. Franco puts this one in with a chance. Previous success in similar race types.
  • #13 MOTAWAALI (4-1): Fringe Contender. Potential to get the pace of the race flow. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 5 – 3 – 11 – 13

The Plays

Win: #5 at 1-1

Exacta: 5 / 3,11,13

Saratoga Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 4:33 PM ET; Allowance $120k; 5 1/2 F Turf; Field of 10 runners.

  • #8 BRIGHTLINE BULLET (7-2): Top Pick. Barn has been solid.
  • #5 MONEY MAKES MONEY (5-1): Major Player. Can run with these. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
  • #3 ORTLEY AVENUE (3-1): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners.
  • #9 AFTER TAXES (6-1): Major Player. Ran at this level last out. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.

Selections: 8 – 5 – 3 – 9

The Plays

Win: #8 at 3-1

Exacta: 8 / 5,3,9

Saratoga Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 5:08 PM ET; Allowance $120k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 11 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day

  • #7 IRON DOME (6-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Comes in with solid form. Love the heart this one shows in a fight. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
  • #1 DISCOTHEQUE (15-1): Contender. Trainer is having a great meet. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
  • #2 PAPA YO (10-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types. Barn has been sending out runners.
  • #4 LION OF JUSTICE (9-2): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Race shape gives this one an edge.

Selections: 7 – 1 – 2 – 4

The Plays

Win: #7 at 5-1

Trifecta: 7 / 1,2 / 1,2,4

Saratoga Picks – Race 11

Post Time: 5:45 PM ET; Spinaway Stakes $300k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

  • #4 STRESS RELIEF (8-1): Top Pick. Should be able to work out a trip. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
  • #8 LIFE CHANGING (5-2): Major Player. Running well of late. Likely to get forward position.
  • #6 HARPER'S CORNER (5-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
  • #7 ANGEL OF KIRK (9-2): Major Player. May be a better effort in the 2nd start. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 4 – 8 – 6 – 7

The Plays

Win: #4 at 5-1

Exacta: 4 / 8,6,7

Saratoga Picks – Race 12

Post Time: 6:20 PM ET; Starter Optional Claiming $78k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 12 runners.

  • #7 GRISELDA (4-1): Top Pick. Barn has been solid. Should be able to work out a trip.
  • #3 ORI (9-5): Major Player. This mare debuts at low odds. Backside buzz? Seems to be up against the right competition.
  • #11 LOTUS PETAL (8-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish.
  • #4 SARATOGA SNOW (5-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 7 – 3 – 11 – 4

The Plays

Win: #7 at 3-1

Exacta: 7 / 3,11

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Chris Adams
Chris Adams

Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.

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