Saratoga Picks for Friday, August 8:
HORSING AROUND: Jockey Tyler Gaffalione, a fan favorite at Saratoga every summer, returns to the Spa today for the first time since fracturing his ankle in a starting gate mishap three months ago. Gaffalione, currently riding at Ellis Park in Kentucky, is aboard #5 NO MO CANDY for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. in Race 8, the $300K G2 Ballston Spa Stakes. In other jockey-related news, leading rider at the current Spa meet, Irad Ortiz, Jr., will serve a three-day suspension Wednesday through Friday (August 14-16) for reckless riding, which cost Zulu Kingdom a victory in the Hall of Fame stakes earlier in the meet. And elsewhere, the Arlington Million will be run Saturday at Colonial Downs. #8 INTEGRATION with HOF jockey Johnny Velazquez shipping in has been installed as the 8-5 morning line favorite.
YESTERDAY NEWS & TODAY’S VIEWS: On the first day of the second half of the 40-day meet, there were three double winners: trainers Miguel Clement and Bill Mott, and jockey Jose Ortiz. At the windows, the average Win ticket returned just shy of $11. Looking at Friday’s 10-race card, there are several competitive claiming and allowance contests as well as the $300K G2 Ballston Spa stakes for fillies and mares. Weather forecast: Sunny, high around 80. First post at 1:10 ET. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Friday (8/08)
Race 1 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $80K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed kicks off his picks with a pair: #2 NAPOLEON SOLO (5-2 morning line) for low-profile trainer Chad Summers with popular jockey Kendrick Carmouche, and #7 NEIGH BABY (7-2) for savvy NY-based conditioner Jeremiah Englehart, who hires leading rider Jose Ortiz. Impressive works attest to preparedness.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 2,7/3,5. ($20)
Race 2 (1:45 p.m. ET/10:45 a.m. PT) — $63K OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 5½ furlongs on the grass
I like two to complete DD: #3 BILLIONAIRES ROW (5-2 morning line), trained by hot Mike Trombetta and ridden by HOFer Johnny Velazquez, and #5 GLOBAL PROSPERITY (4-1) with Flavien Prat in saddle for Jena Antonucci.
Race 3 (2:20 p.m. ET/11:20 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
A bunch of good young coeds led by one-time starter #7 FRAUDSTER (9-2 morning line) for HOF trainer Todd Pletcher, who retains Irad Ortiz, Jr. in irons. She’s a legit contender.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 6 (4:06 p.m. ET/1:06 p.m. PT) — $80K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed is betting on #7 JOLTED (6-1 morning line) for sharp young trainer Whit Beckman, who hires top jockey Jose Ortiz to ride. I like either #2 ESCAPE HALL (9-2) or #6 EMPIRES KING (2-1) to complete the bet. Mr. Ed’s picks are in need of a jolt.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($20)
Races 7-10 (4:39 p.m. ET/1:39 p.m. PT) — $.50 Pick 4*
R7: 1,2,5
R8: 1,5,6,9
R9: 1,2,7
R10: 4,5 ($36)
*In the event of a scratch, the post-time favorite becomes the substitute pick.
Race 7 — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & up going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes three: #1 APALTA (7-2 morning line), trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., making his second start; #2 SALAMIS (3-1) for Chad Brown and Flavien Prat, and #5 DISCLAIMER (6-1), who loses blinkers and gets Lasix for trainer John Terranova and jockey Luis Saez.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 8 (5:12 p.m. ET/2:12 p.m. PT) — $300K G2 BALLSTON SPA for fillies and mares going 1 1/16-mile on the grass
If my favorite jockey, Tyler Gaffalione, comes to the Spa just to ride #5 NO MO CANDY (8-1 morning line), that’s good enough for Mr. Ed! Saffie Joseph, Jr. trains the daughter of Uncle Mo.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box with 1,6,9. ($30)
Race 10 (6:18 p.m. ET/3:18 p.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & up going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY is #5 ANTIETAM (9-2 morning line) for Todd Pletcher with Flavien Prat riding. Lots to like: Tries turf for first time while adding blinkers and Lasix. Time to cash some tickets.
TOTAL WAGERS: $166
PLAYS OF THE DAY (16 bets): -$182.70
BEST BETS OF THE DAY (14 bets): -$165.50
SATURDAY AT THE SPA: Two major league stakes, the $750K G1 Sword Dancer and the $500K G2 Saratoga Oaks Invitational, top the high-quality 12-race program. Weather forecast: Sunny skies and a high of 80. Early post time for the Saturday card is 12:35 p.m. ET/9:35 a.m. PT. Mr. Ed will be on hand here at VSiN with his picks.