Saratoga Picks for Monday, September 1:
TRACKING MR. ED: Welcome to the 40th and final day of the 2025 Saratoga meet. Here are a few meet-ending stats: Most wins by a rider (going into today): Irad Ortiz Jr. (who is recovering from a nasty mishap on Sunday): 59. Most wins by a trainer (again, before today’s card): Chad Brown, 31, Todd Pletcher, 30. Most often unproductive, paragraphs by a public handicapper: Mr. Ed. Fewest winners selected by a public handicapper: Mr. Ed. Hats off to HOFer Johnny Velazquez for winning a G1 race on each coast in less than 18 hours. The 11-race Labor Day card is highlighted by Race 9, the $300K G1 Hopeful Stakes for 2YOs going 7 furlongs. With few exceptions, the remainder of the program resembles a Festival of Maidens. Many owners, trainers and jockeys often refer to the last day of a meet as “get them out of town day,” roughly translated as allowing less fortunate barns to win a race so they have enough money to ship their stock back downstate. Keep an eye out for some unexplainable results and boxcar payoffs. Early first post today is 12:05. Sunny skies with a high in the 80s are expected. Good luck — and here’s one final look at Mr. Ed’s picks.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Monday (9/01)
Race 1 (12:05 p.m. ET/9:05 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a pair: #4 OSCAR’S HOPE (2-1) for trainer/TV analyst Tom Amoss with leading rider Jose Ortiz, making second start after speedy debut, and #5 EPIC QUEST (7-2) for top trainer Todd Pletcher and popular NY rider Manny Franco.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 4,5/3,5. ($20)
Race 2 (12:39 p.m. ET/9:39 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & up going a mile
Another pair to grab the DD money: #3 BARB (2-1 morning line) for the dependable team of Michael Maker and Ricardo Santana, Jr., and #5 TIME TO WIN (3-1) for Chad Brown and Flavien Prat. It’s about time for Mr. Ed to win a Daily Double.
Race 3 (1:13 p.m. ET/10:13 a.m. PT) — $50K MAIDEN CLAIMING for NY-bred 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s pick is #6 NEW YORK SCRAPPY (5-2 morning line) for excellent Canadian trainer Mark Casse, who brings Flavien Prat back to ride. I’m in a scrappy New York state of mind.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 4 (1:46 p.m. ET/10:46 a.m. PT) — $63K OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile on the grass
Mr. Ed’s PLAY OF THE DAY is longshot #10 PRINTER’S ALLEY (12-1 morning line) for new trainer Jack Sisterson and Luis Saez. First turf trip points to winning effort for low-key outfit.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 5 (2:20 p.m. ET/11:20 a.m. PT) — $38K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs going a mile
I’m betting winless-at-the-meet Gregory Sacco, trainer of #3 CYBERBEAST (12-1 morning line), will be rewarded for his patience with a win. Luis Saez rides.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 6 (2:55 p.m. ET/12:55 p.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO NY-bred fillies and mares going 5½-furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed’s longshot hunch play is #9 SAINT MARGARET (8-1 morning line) for trainer James Ryerson and jockey Jose Lezcano. I know a Margaret (Ms. Ed). She’s a saint.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 7 (3:29 p.m. ET/12:29 p.m. PT) — $110K for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going a mile
Mr. Ed likes #4 POINTS IS POINTS (5-1 morning line) for trainer Brad Cox and jockey Manny Franco. Last race was merely a warmup for a win today.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 8-11 — (4:05 p.m. ET/1:05 p.m. PT) — $.50 Pick 4
R8: 6,8,9
R9: 1,3,5,6
R10: 3,5
R11: 1,3,5 ($36)
* In the event of a scratch, the post-time favorite is the substitute pick.
Race 9 (4:42 p.m. ET/1:42 p.m. PT) — $300K HOPEFUL STAKES for 2Y0s going 7 furlongs
In a very competitive event, Mr. Ed likes #3 ROMEO (3-1 morning line) based on a huge trainer upgrade to Steve Asmussen, who names new rider Joel Rosario. Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & $5 Exacta Box 3/1,5,6. ($40)
TOTAL WAGERS: $186
PLAYS OF THE DAY: (240 bets): -$243.50
BEST BETS OF THE DAY: (24 bets): -$216.50
Good luck to all. And remember, according to Mr. Ed, “A bad Labor Day at the track beats a good Labor Day anywhere else.”
