Saratoga Picks for Friday, August 22:
TRACKING MR. ED: My countdown clock to Travers Day is up and ticking. Be sure to eat early and late, drink responsibly, and bet with both head and heart. And remember, a day playing the Travers Day card is a day like no other. Early post on Saturday is 11:10 a.m. ET/8:10 a.m. PT. As for Thursday’s results, five stood out:. Jockeys Jose Ortiz, Ricardo Santana and Kendrick Carmouche each had two wins, joining trainers HOFer Steve Asmussen and sleeper Kerri Brion with two apiece. On Friday, the day before the powerful Travers 10-race card, post time is 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. The weather forecast is for fair skies and a high of around 80.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Friday (8/22)
Race 1 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for NY-bred 2YOs going 5½ furlongs on the turf
Let’s start the day with a winning DD. Mr. Ed’s betting on #4 THREE THIRTEEN (9-2 morning line), gelding for up-and-coming trainer Melanie Giddings, who retains veteran jockey Shaun Bridgmohan, and #7 CRISTOBAL (4-5), gets blinkers while Flavien Prat stays aboard.
SARATOGA SELECTIONS: $5 Daily Double of 4,7/5,6. ($20)
Race 2 (1:43 p.m. ET/10:43 a.m. PT) — $115 ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
To complete DD, Mr. Ed likes #5 TRICKY TEMPER (9-5 morning line) for favorite upstate NY trainer Jeremiah Englehart, who retains top jock Jose Ortiz, and #6 BOURBON BREEZE (4-1) with Ortiz bro Irad Jr. riding for Rudy Brisset. Bourbon can play tricks with Mr. Ed’s disposition. (Just ask Mrs. Ed).
Race 3 (2:16 p.m. ET/11:16 a.m. PT) — $150K SEEKING THE ANTE STAKES for 2YO NY-bred fillies and mares going 6 furlongs
My bet is #3 IRON ORCHARD (4-5 morning line) will repeat debut win for excellent trainer Danny Gargan with rider Joel Rosario returning. Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 4 (2:49 p.m. ET/11:49 a.m. PT) — $34K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile
#7 QUICK HAMMER (2-1 morning line) from Linda Rice’s deep stable, with Irad Ortiz in the irons, is Mr. Ed’s choice. Gelding knows how to win and should have little trouble beating this poor bunch. Here’s hoping it’s quick.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (4:31 p.m. ET/3:31 p.m. PT) — $58K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #4 SYSTEMIC CHANGE (4-1 morning line) for Steve Asmussen outfit with Joel Rosario riding; #5 MANTA REY (4-1) with rider change to Manny Franco, and #8 LAUGHING BOY (6-1) dropping in for powerful Linda Rice-Jose Ortiz team. Try it! The change will do ya’ good. Mr. Ed’s PLAY OF THE DAY.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 8 (5:06 p.m. ET/2:06 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
After a strong first half of the meet, trainer Cherie DeVaux’s barn lost that winning feeling. Here’s where she regains it. Mr. Ed’s pick is #3 CAGLIOSTRO (5-2 morning line) with top-five jock Flavien Prat. The expensive gelding is ready to score.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & $5 Exacta Box with 4&8. ($30)
Race 9 (5:41 p.m. ET/2:41 p.m. PT) — $150K YADDO STAKES NY-bred 3YO fillies and mares going 1 1/16-mile on the grass.
Mr. Ed is betting on #9 STERLING SILVER (5-1 morning line) for the always competitive Mott-Alvarado team stretching out after several in-the-money on dirt finishes. Millionaire needs a clean trip.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 Win & Place. ($20)
Race 10 (6:16 p.m. ET/3:16 p.m. PT) — $50K CLAIMING for 3 YOs & up, which have never won two races, going 5½ furlongs on the turf
No horse in the field is more due to revisit Winner’s Circle than #4 ALEXIS ZORBA (morning line), a British-born gelding trained by Michael Trombetta. Joel Rosario takes over the ride from Luis Saez. Time to step up.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
TOTAL WAGERS: $140
PLAYS OF THE DAY: (20 bets): -$289.85
BEST BETS OF THE DAY: (20 bets): -$138.50
FAMILY FEUD: With nine days of the 2025 Saratoga meet remaining, Mr. Ed is tracking the duel for leading rider between brothers Irad and Jose Ortiz. The latter shut his brother out on Thursday to close with two victories. Number of wins for each rider at the beginning of Thursday’s 10-race card as follows:
IRAD: 49
JOSE: 47
TRAVERS DAY AT SARATOGA: Five Grade 1 stakes races on a single card. I kid you not. In fact, the NYRA has tossed a Grade 2 into the 14-race mix as well. (The only superior first-class program between now and Kentucky Derby 2026 is the Breeders’ Cup in November.) Serious players, start studying the Travers Day PPs now. Mr. Ed has been burning the midnight oil since Monday. Mark your Form, hit the debit card, and look forward to enjoying two great days of quality racing for the price of one. So, who does Mr. Ed like to win the Travers? Hint: The horse that crosses the Finish Line first, of course. Check VSiN on Saturday for Mr. Ed’s Dozen Plays on Travers Day. Advanced weather forecast: Mostly sunny, high in the low 80s.
