Saratoga Picks for Thursday, August 14:
NOTE FROM MR. ED: My bad, NOT! Mr. Ed has enough trouble picking winners, but when he provides VSiN followers with inaccurate information from reliable sources, he gets steamed. The NYRA and the Daily Racing Form (and unfortunately Mr. Ed) all last week reported that leading jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. would serve a three-day suspension on August 13-15 and return to riding on Alabama Stakes Day, Saturday the 16th. And yet, Irad rode several mounts yesterday (the 13th) and is listed to ride several again today (the 14th).
TRACKING MR. ED: Regardless of what you’ve read here, both Irad Ortiz Jr. and Mr. Ed showed up at Saratoga today. Both had three winners and, not to be forgotten, Irad bro Jose had a pair of scores. When all was said and run, Irad leads Jose, 44-39, in wins in the race for leading rider. There’s still no word on when Irad might serve his three days off. After all, he’s good for business. Speaking of which, Wednesday was a rather chalky day at the windows with the average $2 Win ticket returning $7.50. Thursday’s competitive 10-race card is highlighted by the $150K NY Cab Calaway Stakes. Call to the post for Race 1 is 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT. Weather forecast: Sunny and a high in the 80s. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s picks.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Thursday (8/14)
Race 1 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1⅛ mile
Mr. Ed likes two in an early DD: #3 DANZIT (9-5 morning line) $1 million filly making third start for Todd Pletcher with Irad Ortiz, Jr. riding, and #5 GREEN JOBS (5-1) for leading trainer Chad Brown, who switches riders to overdue top NY jockey Manny Franco. Powerful pair.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 3,5/1,4. ($20)
Race 2 (1:44 p.m. ET/10:44 a.m. PT) — $48K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
To complete the winning DD, Mr. Ed likes either #1 GOLDEN SYMPHONY (8-5 morning line) for Brad Cox barn or #4 CONFABULATION (2-1) for the loaded Linda Rice stable with popular NY jockey Kendrick Carmouche.
Race 3 (2:18 p.m. ET/11:18 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & up going 5½ furlongs
Mr. Ed’s PLAY OF THE DAY is #3 HELLACIOUS (9-2 morning line) for first-class trainer, Todd Pletcher, and jockey, Irad Ortiz, Jr. Pick makes his second start after being bumped before a second-place finish in debut. Huge rider upgrade gets the job done.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 4 (2:52 p.m. ET/11:52 a.m. PT) — $63K OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs going 7 furlongs
While top trainer Steve Asmussen has not entered many at the meet, when he has, he’s compiled an excellent in-the-money record (24-7–4-3). Therefore, Mr. Ed will take a shot with #4 BOB’S CARROT (9-2 morning line), stretching out with Kendrick Carmouche in the saddle. It’s Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 7 (4:36 p.m. ET/1:36 p.m. PT) — $150K NY STALLION STAKES for 3YOs going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #3 FRIEND OFTHE DEVIL (7-5 morning line) for young rider Chris Eliott and trained by Carlos Martin; #5 GEORGE BRIGGS (8-5), trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., and #8 MOE EIGHTY EIGHT (15-1) for trainer John Ortiz with Joel Rosario aboard. MOE’s my man.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 8 (5:10 p.m. ET/2:10 p.m. PT) — $38K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed is willing to take another shot with Steve Asmussen’s #10 PREPOSITION (4-1 morning line) with top rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. in irons.
Sixth try is a charm.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 9 (5:44 p.m. ET/2:44 p.m. PT) — $75K OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the grass
Mr. Ed likes three: #3 ENLIGHTEN (9-5 morning line) for trainer Tom Morley and hot rider Ricardo Santana, Jr.; #7 STEADFAST RESOLVE (7-2) for the excellent combo of George Weaver and Irad Ortiz. Jr., and #9 HEDGE THE RISK (6-1) for trainer Joe Sharp and jockey Dylan Davis. Any two will do.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $130
PLAYS OF THE DAY: (17 bets): -$242.10
BEST BETS OF THE DAY: (16 bets): -$204.50
