Saratoga Picks for Sunday, August 10:
TRACKING MR. ED: On Day 23 of the annual Saratoga meet, two surprising Irish-breds, Laurelin ($6.40) and El Cordobes ($10), were the stars of the card, capturing the G2 Saratoga Oaks and the G1 Sword Dancer, respectively. Other standouts were jockeys Irad Ortiz Jr. and Flavien Prat with a hat trick of wins each, followed by Jose Ortiz with a pair. Trainers Linda Rice and Chad Brown both had a pair of scores. Even Mr. Ed got into the act, breaking a recent slump with two winners on top in his exclusive VSiN selections. On Sunday, horseplayers will be greeted with a competitive 10-race card, topped by the G3 MAHONY STAKES for 3YOs sprinting on the grass. The weather forecast is for sunny skies and a high in the mid-80s. Post time for Race 1 is 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT. Here are Mr. Ed’s selections.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Sunday (8/10)
Race 1 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & up going a mile
Mr. Ed likes #4 CHILLAX (5-2 morning line) for the standout pair of trainer Bill Mott and rider Junior Alvarado. Turning back in distance and the addition of blinkers are keys to improved performance.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & $10 Daily Double. ($20)
Race 2 (1:42 p.m. ET/10:42 a.m. PT) — $48K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
To complete the DD, Mr. Ed is betting #1 LE GRIS (2-1 morning line) is up to the task for always tough trainer Al Stall, with jockey Luis Saez. It’s gray all day.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 3 (2:14 p.m. ET/11:14 a.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going 5½ furlongs on the turf
My money is on a trio: #2 INNATE (9-2 morning line) with hot rider Ricardo Santana; #4 TAP TO MISCHIEF (7-2) with Jose Lezcano, and #6 IRISH GENT (3-1) with leading rider Irad Ortiz, Jr.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 4 (2:53 p.m. ET/11:53 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s confident pick is #4 EPIC DESIRE (8-1 morning line) for a pair of HOFers, Todd Pletcher and Johnny Velazquez. Classy colt stretches out for turf debut following a Place finish as the choice against a similar field. Mr. Ed’s PLAY OF THE DAY is ready to take a BIG step forward. A score for Mr. Ed would be epic.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win, Place & Show. ($30)
Race 6 (4:07 p.m. ET/1:07 p.m. PT) — $50K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
I’m betting on #5 ARCH’S ASSAULT (5-1 morning line) for veteran NY trainer Charlie Baker, who hires top jockey Flavien Prat to sharpen the gelding’s performance. Gets Lasix for the second time.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Races 7-10 (4:40 p.m. ET/1:40 p.m. PT) — $1 Pick 4*
R7: 1,8,9
R8: 5,6,7
R9: 9
R10: 1,2,6,7,11 ($45)
* In the event of a scratch, the post-time favorite becomes the substitute pick.
Race 8 (5:17 p.m. ET/2:17 p.m. PT) — $100K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for NY-bred 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile on the grass
Mr. Ed has three for the money: #5 COINAGE (10-1 morning line) returns to NY roots for all-time winning trainer Steve Asmussen, who places gelding where he belongs; #6 RUSSIAN REALM (6-1) for hot-shot trainer Danny Gargan with huge rider upgrade to Joel Rosario, and #7 RABAJA (9-2) for 007 James Bond barn with leading rider Irad Ortiz, Jr., who wants wins before three-day suspension.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 9 (5:50 p.m. ET/2:50 p.m. PT) — $175K G3 MAHONY STAKES for 3YOs going 5½ furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed’s BEST BEST OF THE DAY is #9 GOVERNOR SAM (1-1 morning line) for savvy conditioner George Weaver, who retains Irad Ortiz, Jr. in irons. Winner of 5 of 9, and 2 for 2 at the Spa, the guy sits perfectly for a trip from the outside post. GO GOV!
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $195
PLAYS OF THE DAY (16 bets): -$212.70
BEST BETS OF THE DAY: (15 bets): -$205.50
DON’T FORGET: “A bad day at any track beats a good day anywhere else.”
Mr. Ed returns on Wednesday (#25 of 40) with his exclusive selections for Saratoga.
