Saratoga Best Bets:
TRACKING MR. ED: A much more formful day at the Spa than Friday. Average $2 Win ticket cashed for $8.70. The early $1 Pick 5 returned $55. Jockeys Tyler Gaffalione and Irad Ortiz Jr. each had a pair of victories. Trainer Cherri DeVaux, who appears to have a surprisingly strong barn, also had two winners. On to Sunday’s Saratoga best bets.
SUNDAY AT SARATOGA: The spotlight is on Race 9 — The Quick Call Stakes, a turf sprint for 3YOs. Post time for Race 1 is 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT.
Mr. Ed’s Best Bets at Saratoga for Sunday, July 14
Race 3 (2:18 p.m.ET/10:11:18 a.m. PT) — $95K ALLOWANCE for NY 3YOs & up at 5 ½ furlongs on turf
Mr. Ed likes #7 FINAL DENILE (3-1 morning line) for trainer Christophe Clement with Joel Rosario returning to ride. State-bred gelding got nipped at wire in turf debut last month at Aqueduct. Speed numbers continue to rise. Sharp work indicates he ready to return to score from off the pace.
SARATOGA BEST BET: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:52 p.m./11:52 a,m. PT) — $115K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YO fillies & mares going 7 Furlongs
My money is on #6 MIGHTY MADISON (8-5 morning line) for sneaky good conditioner Phil Bauer. She posted a lifetime best 84 speed figure in last at Churchill with today’s rider Jose Ortiz aboard. Pricy daughter of Nyquist repeats today.
SARATOGA BEST BET: $20 to Win & $10 Daily Double with #1 in Race 5. ($30)
Race 5 (3:27 p.m. ET/12:27 p.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHTS for 3YOs & up at 1 18-mile
Mr. Ed likes #1 MILITARY ROAD (9-5 morning line) to complete the Daily Double with #6 in Race 4. Late-developing son of Quality Road for Clement barn ready to break his maiden after posting 95 speed figure in neck defeat in last. Talented Manny Franco returns to the saddle. And the caissons go rolling along!
SARATOGA BEST BESTS: $20 to Win and complete DD. ($20)
Race 6 (4:02 p.m. ET/1:02 p.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHTS for 3YO fillies & mares at 1 1/16-mile on grass.
I can’t argue with those picking #8 STRIFE (4-1 morning line), daughter of excellent sire War Front. After two Place finishes, she’s ready to earn diploma vs. so-so field of sophomores. Clement barn is ready to wake up. Rosario returns.
SARATOGA BEST BESTS: $10 to Win and box in $5 Exactas with 1,10,11. ($40)
Race 7 (4:35 p.m. ET/1:35 p.m. PT) — $115 ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up at 1 ⅜-mile on turf
Mr. Ed takes a shot with #5 DAUNT (8-1 morning line) for perennial NY circuit bombthrower Bobby Ribaudo. Key to victory: HOF rider Johnny Velazquez accepts riding assignment.
SARATOGA BEST BETS: $5 Exacta boxes 5 with 2,3. ($20)
Race 8 (5:10 p.m. ET/2:10 p.m. PT) — $45K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up at a mile.
Mr. Ed is impressed with trainer Norm Casse, son of HOF dad Mark. This apple, #3 PROVE WORTHY (6-5 morning line) didn’t fall far from the family tree. Top rider Manny Franco sticks around to ride. He’s worth every dollar bet.
SARATOGA BEST BET: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 9 (5:45 p.m. ET/2:45 p.m. PT) — G3 $175K QUICK CALL STAKES for 3YOs at 5 ½ furlongs on turf
Mr. Ed’s pick #6 STAR OF MYSTERY (4-5 morning line) for British super-star conditioner Charlie Appleby, who scratched out of an earlier test Friday to compete for a bigger purse. Hot Prat retains the ride after the Show finishes last. No mystery to Mr. Ed.
SARATOGA BEST BET OF DAY: $20 to Win & $5 Daily Doubles with #5 DOWNING STREET (8-1) and #10 BILLY’S GOT ISSUES (6-1). Double take.
TOTAL WAGERS: $180
