Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Best Bets:
TRACKING MR. ED: Opening day at the Spa had something for everyone. A number of post-time favorites scored, but a bomb, The Queens M G, stole the show in the featured Schuylerville Stakes, returning $91 to win. The average $2 win ticket returned $17.30, inflated by the bomb, With the exception of a $67.50 Exacta return in Race 5, Mr. Ed was shutout. The Ortiz Bros. each had two winners. With one day at Saratoga in the books, there are 39 opportunities ahead to cash tickets. Let’s take a look at Friday’s Saratoga best bets.
FRIDAY AT SARATOGA: Friday’s 10-race card is highlighted by two competitive stakes for 3YO fillies, The Wilton (Race 8) and The Coronation Cup (Race 9). Sunny skies are forecast. Post time for the first race is 1:10 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.
Mr. Ed’s Best Bets at Saratoga for Friday, July 12
Races 1&2 (1:10 p.m.ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YO maidens & fillies at 7 furlongs and $45K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up at 6 ½ furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a Daily Double to kick things off. I’m playing #1 LORD I WONDER (2-1 morning line) and  #2 CHANTEUSE (6-5) in first leg with #6 UNCLECHARLIESGIFT (6-1) and #7 DILLINGER (2-1) in the second leg.
SARATOGA BEST DAILY DOUBLE BET: 1,2/6,7 for $5. ($20)
Race 4 (2:56 p.m. ET/11:56 a.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going 5 ½ furlongs on turf
I like #7 TUNISIAN SPRING (2-1 morning line) for trainer Wesley Ward. The speedy sprinter tries turf for the second time after a troubled trip over the course in the last outing. An outside post helps as hot Jose Ortiz returns to ride. He may never look back.
SARATOGA BEST BET: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 5 (3:32 p.m. ET/12:32 p.m. PT) — $50K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up at 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #4 GANGLY (7-2 morning line) with Johnny Velazquez, #6 CHATEAU (5-1) with Irad Ortiz, and #9 SAFFA’S DAY with Tyler Gaffalione.
SARATOGA BEST BET: Exacta box of 4,6,9 for $5. ($30)
Race 7 (4:38 p.m. ET/12:38 p.m. PT) — $70K STARTER CLAIMING for 3YOs & up at 1 1/16-mile on turf
My pick is #5 PALACE VIEW (9-2 morning line), the Irish import for savvy conditioner Mark Casse. Irad Ortiz returns to ride following a freshener at Woodbine.
SARATOGA BEST BET: $10 to Win ($10)
Race 8 (5:12 p.m. ET/2:12 p.m. ET) — $135K WILTON STAKES for 3YO fillies going a mile
Mr. Ed likes #7 DAZZLING MOVE (9-2 morning line) for veteran trainer Mike Trombetta. This seasoned filly has won two of the last three. Solid works indicate she’s ready for another. Big rider upgrade to Joel Rosario dazzles. I also like the following Pick 3:
R8: 1,4,6,7,13
R9: 6,10
R10: 1,7,8
SARATOGA BEST BETS: $10 to Win & $1 Pick 3. ($40)
Race 9 (5:47 p.m. ET/2:47 p.m. PT) — $150K CORONATION CUP — for 3YO fillies going 5 ½ furlongs on turf
I like #10 STAR OF MYSTERY (9-5 morning line) for first-class Charlie Appleby’s barn. The import warmed up on the turf track, finishing third in Grade 1 Jaipur stakes last month. Flavien Pratt gets back aboard. A shooting star.
SARATOGA BEST BET OF THE DAY: $20 to win. ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $140
