Saratoga Picks for Saturday, August 9:
TRACKING MR. ED: Barn-leading trainer Chad Brown had three victories and classy jockeys Flavien Prat and Irad Ortiz Jr. had two scores apiece to dominate the racing on Day 22 of the Saratoga summer meet. Irad now holds a three-win margin, 26-23, over his brother in the leading jockey standings headed into the week ahead, when Irad will be serving a three-day suspension (Wednesday-Friday). Looking ahead to Saturday, the 12-race card, featuring the $750K G1 Sword Dancer Stakes, kicks off at the early post time of 12:35 p.m. ET/9:35 a.m. PT. Sunny, warm weather is expected. Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s selections.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Saturday (8/09)
Race 1 (12:35 p.m. ET/9:35 a.m. PT) — $100K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for NY-bred 3YOS & up going 6 furlongs
Let’s start the card with a DD: #1 WHAT’S UP BRO (3-1 morning line) for super-smart horsewoman Linda Rice with top rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the saddle, and #3 DEAR CHAIRMAN (6-1), also for Rice with Ortiz Bro. Jose riding.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 1,3/1,3. ($20)
Race 2 (1:07 p.m. ET/10:07 a.m. PT) — $38K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
To complete DD, Mr. Ed likes #1 HOURS IN A DAY (5-1 morning line), another for Rice with go-to rider Jose Lezcano, and #3 RIVALRY (3-1) for trainer Jose D’Angelo. It’s Rice’s world, Mr. Ed’s only betting on her.
Race 3 (1:40 p.m. ET/10:40 a.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for NY-bred 2YO fillies going 5½ furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed’s pick is #3 CHARLOTTESUNIVERSE (7-2 morning line) for excellent HOF trainer Mark Casse, who retains Jose Ortiz to ride. A star is born.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:13 p.m. ET/11:13 a.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going a mile on the grass
My bet is on these 3: #3 LAUREL VALLEY (8-1 morning line) for trainer Mike Maker with Joel Rosario returning to ride; #4 WHITE PALOMINO (5-2) for top trainer Chad Brown and top rider Flavien Prat, and #9 COMMON DEFENSE (6-1) for smiling Kenny McPeak and affable Kendrick Carmouche.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 6 (3:19 p.m. ET/12:19 p.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 6 furlongs
My choice is #6 GOLDEN TORNADO (5-2 morning line) for high-class trainer Danny Gargan, who recruits Joel Rosario to ride the first-time starter. Expensive son of McKinzie posts speedy works prior to debut.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (3:55 p.m. ET/12:55 p.m. PT) — $115K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed is betting on three: #1 RESILIENCE (9-2 morning line) for team of Bill Mott and Manny Franco; #4 TUT’S REVENGE (6-1) for trainer Mike Maker and hot-shot rider Ricardo Santana, and #7 EXACT ESTIMATE (5-2) for classy connections of Chad Brown and Flavien Prat.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 8 (4:31 p.m. ET/1:31 p.m. PT) — $100K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
My pick, #6 LITTLE NI (3-1 morning line), sports an exceptional 101 speed figure, earned at Monmouth prior to being claimed by savvy trainer Mark Casse, who retains Jose Ortiz. Win would be BIG for little Mr. Ed.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 9 (5:07 p.m. ET/2:07 p.m. PT) — $500K G2 SARATOGA OAKS INVITATIONAL for 3YO fillies going 1 3/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY is #1 OPULENT RESTRAINT (2-1 morning line) for tip-top trainer Chad Brown, who rehires Flavien Prat to ride. No holding back.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 10 (5:44 p.m. ET/2:44 p.m. PT) — $750K G1 SWORD DANCER for 4YOs going 1½ mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s PLAY OF THE DAY consists of #1 EL CORDOBES (4-1 morning line) for British trainer Charlie Appleby, who hires popular jockey Flavien Prat; #5 NATION’S PRIDE (3-1), also for Appleby who brings British jockey William Buick along for the ride, and #6 FAR BRIDGE (9-5) favorite, winner of more than $2.3 million for Clement barn. Joel Rosario rides.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 11 (6:17 p.m. ET/3:17 p.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3 YOs & up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed closes out the card with Leg 1 of a DD: #3 ALYESKA (7-2 morning line) with Brown and Prat combo, and #5 CHATTER (6-1) for John Ortiz and popular Manny Franco.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 3,5/2,10. (20)
Race 12 (6:49 p.m. ET/3:49 p.m. PT) — $95K ALLOWANCE for 3Y0s & up going 1⅛-mile on the grass
In Leg two of the DD, Mr. Ed likes #2 AMPLITUDE (5-2 morning line) for Brown and Manny Franco, and #10 CHARLES J (5-1) for low-key trainer Joseph Lee with top jockey Irad Ortiz in the saddle.
TOTAL WAGERS: $180
PLAYS OF THE DAY (16 bets): -$182.70
BEST BETS OF THE DAY (15 bets): -$185.50
SUNDAY AT THE SPA WITH MR. ED: A better-than-average 10-race card featuring the $175K MAHONY STAKES for 3YOs marks Day 24 of the 40-day meet. Also on tap are three excellent Maiden Special Weight contests. The weather forecast calls for partly sunny skies with a high in the low 80s. First post is at 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT. Mr. Ed will return with his exclusive VSiN selections.
