Saratoga Picks for Friday, August 29:
TRACKING MR. ED: On Thursday at the Spa (day 36 of the 40-day meet) Manny Franco was the lone jockey to win a pair of races. And Brad Cox, whose barn is beginning to heat up, was the lone trainer to win two. At the windows, the average $2 Win ticket paid $10.99. Heading into the final four days, Irad Ortiz has the winningest jockey title in his grasp with 55 wins. Brother Jose, who has packed up his saddle and relocated to Kentucky Downs, still holds second place with 52. Flavien Prat trails the Bros. Ortiz with 38 victories. RIDER TO WATCH: Kendrick Carmouche. As for trainers, Chad Brad, with 28 wins, leads Todd Pletcher and Linda Rice with 22 apiece. BARN TO WATCH: Brad Cox.
TODAY AT SARATOGA: The 12-race card is headlined by the $150K PERFECT STING STAKES for older fillies and mares going a mile on the turf. Post time for Race 1 is 12:35 p.m. ET/9:35 a.m. PT. Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s selections:
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Friday (8/29)
Race 1(12:35 p.m. ET/9:35 a.m. PT) — $115K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1-1/16 mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes a straight DD starting with favorite #2 TAX IMPLICATIONS (4-5 morning line) for top trainer Chad Brown, who retains Flavien Prat to ride. Mare keeps knocking at the door. Time to enter the Winners’ Circle.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 Daily Double of 2&5. ($10)
Race 2 (1:07 p.m. ET/10:07 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs & up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed goes to one of his favorite conditioners, Danny Gargan, to complete DD with #5 IMMACULATE MOON (3-1 morning line) with Joel Rosario in the saddle. Trainer adds blinkers to improve pick’s focus. Successful moon shot.
Race 3 (1:40 p.m. ET/10:40 a.m. PT) — $150K BERNARD BARUCH STAKES for 4YOs going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s choice is chalky #2 PROGRAM TRADING (8-5) for the dynamite team of Chad Brown and Flavien Prat. Graded stakes winner returns ready to run.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 4 (2:13 p.m. ET/11:13 a.m. PT) — $34K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
I’m betting on #8 WHISTLER’S STYLE (4-1 morning line) for super-sharp trainer Carlos David (18-3-3-2), who, off claim, adds blinkers and hires Junior Alvarado to ride.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 5 (2:47 p.m. ET/11:47 a.m. PT) — $90 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for NY-bred 2YOs going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed has become a fan of upstate NY trainer Jeremiah Englehart, who picks Dylan Davis to ride FTS #2 PARTY IN THE ARMY (4-1 morning line). Taps for others.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 7 (3:53 p.m. ET/12:53 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 5½ furlongs on the grass
I’ll take two for the price of one: #1 ESKE CASTLE and # 1A SCHWARZENEGGER (both at 8-5 morning line) for Wesley Ward, with HOFer Johnny Velazquez and rider TBD. Both are tough customers. Outside posts OK.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 8 (4:28 p.m. ET/1:28 p.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed will take a shot with promising young trainer Whit Beckman with #6 REAL DRAMA (15-1 morning line). Kendrick Carmouche, who is having an excellent meet, accepts the invitation to ride coed. PLAY OF THE DAY.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)
Race 9 (5:03 p.m. ET/2:03 p.m. PT) — $120 ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
My chalky pick is #5 BABY YODA (2-1 morning line) as seasoned pro seeks to become a millionaire in 32nd race. Bill Mott trains as Flavien Prat rides.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 10 (5:38 p.m. ET/2:38 p.m. PT) — $95K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
When improving with every race she rides, Katie Davis in irons for Barclay Tagg is my pick aboard #2 MARGAUX TREASURE (6-1). Stretch out helps coed in the long run.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 11 (6:12 p.m. ET/3:12 p.m. PT) — $150K PERFECT STING STAKES for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up going a mile on the grass
Mr. Ed closes out Friday card with two shots in the first leg of DD with #5 DYNAMIC PRICING (9-5 morning line) for Chad Brown. Dylan Davis retains the mount. And #6 PROCTOR STREET (7-2).
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 5,6/1,10. ($20)
Race 12 (6:47 p.m. ET/3:47 p.m. PT) — $72K MAIDEN CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up going 1 1/16 mile on the turf
My picks to end the day are #1 CHANNEL CHECK (7-2 morning line) for Chad Brown with Flavien Prat in the saddle; and #10 VIA VENETO (9-2), trained by Phillip Antonacci with top rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard.
TOTAL WAGERS: $145
PLAYS OF THE DAY: (23 bets): -$223.50
BEST BETS OF THE DAY: (23 bets): -$166.50
WEEKEND STAKES RACING: Three Grade 1 stakes highlight the holiday weekend. On Saturday, Kentucky Downs will feature the $3.5 million NASHVILLE DERBY with Test Score, Sandman and Burnham Square competing. The $1 million Pacific Classic will be run at Del Mar with Fierceness, Journalism and Nysos in the field. To round out the weekend, on Sunday at Saratoga, the prestigious $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup will be run, featuring Sierra Leone, Burnham Square and Sandman. Look for Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN picks for all three races on Saturday.
