Saratoga Best Bets:
TRACKING MR. ED: The monsoon that swamped upstate New York on Tuesday evening resulted in more than two dozen scratches, the cancellation of the Grade 1 steeplechase, and the moving of all turf races to the saturated main track. And, by day’s end, Mr. Ed’s few surviving, after-scratches picks drowned in the slop. Wednesday’s average Win ticket paid $10.20. HOF jockey Johnny Velazquez booted home a pair of winners. Thursday’s 10-race card features The Curlin Stakes for 3 YOs. Race 1 post time is 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT. Let’s look at Thursday’s Saratoga best bets.
Mr. Ed’s Best Bets at Saratoga for Thursday, July 18
Race 4 (2:52 p.m. ET/11:52 a.m. PT) — $150K N.Y. STALLION STAKES for eligible N.Y.- bred 3YOs at 1 mile on turf
Mr. Ed likes #4 FIDELIGHTCAYUT (7-2 morning line) from Florida to New Jersey. The colt has been tested and acquitted himself well. Trained by low-profile Juan Avila, top rider Irad Ortiz climbs aboard on a stretch-out move. Don’t ask me to pronounce his name; just bet him.
SARATOGA BEST BET: $10 Win & Place. ($20)
Race 5 (3:27 p.m. ET/12:27 p.m. PT) — $80K CLAIMING for 3YOs going a mile
I’m backing #7 IRIDESCENT (5-2 morning line) to wire the field for new trainer Brad Cox, who produces winning efforts at an astonishing 47% off claim. Manny Franco, who has ridden him twice before, gets a leg up. Over the rainbow score.
SARATOGA BEST BET OF THE DAY: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 7 (4:35 p.m. ET/1:35 p.m. PT) — $70K STARTER ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going a mile
Mr. Ed likes three for the money: #6 OWN THE FIELD (4-1 morning line) with Saez; #7 RESERVE CURRENCY (3-1) with Irad Ortiz for the first time; and #9 LUCENCY (9-2) with fan fav Manny Franco.
SARATOGA BEST BET: $5 Exacta box. ($30)
Race 8 (5:10 p.m. ET/2:10 p.m. PT) — $50K CLAIMING for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on turf
I’m gambling oh yes she’s the great #8 MISS PRETENDER, an up-until-now underachiever for team of Chad Brown and Manny Franco.
SARATOGA BEST BET: $20 to Win. ($20)
Races 9&10: (5:45 p.m. ET/2:45 p.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs fillies and mares going 1 1/16-mile on turf & $45K MAIDEN CLAIMING for NY-bred fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes the Daily Double to close out the card. In Race 9: 5,9,11 with 3,6 in Race 10.
SARATOGA BEST $5 DAILY DOUBLE: 5,9,11/3,6 ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $120
