Saratoga Picks for Thursday, August 28:
TRACKING MR. ED: When all was said and done on the final Wednesday of the Spa meet, one trainer, Amelia Green, and two riders, Ricardo Santana Jr. and Manny Franco each had two winners apiece. Looking ahead to Thursday, the G3 $175K WITH ANTICIPATION STAKES for 2YOs on the turf highlights the 11-race card. First post is 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT. Here are Mr. Ed’s selections.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Thursday (8/28)
Race 1 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for NY-bred 2YO fillies going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed starts the day with a DD with #5 OH (5-1 morning line) and popular Manny Franco riding for trainer Michael Maker. And #9 FACTORY SETTING (5-2) for top rider Flavien Prat on FTS for leading trainer Chad Brown. Expensive coed bred to win early.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 5,9/6,9. ($20)
Race 2 (1:42 p.m. ET/10:42 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO filies going 5½ furlongs on the turf
To complete the DD, Mr. Ed likes #6 CADENZA (4-1 morning line) with super rider Irad Ortiz aboard for superior trainer Brad Cox, and #9 VAJRA (7-2), who hires hot Ricardo Santana, Jr. to ride for Rudy Brisset’s barn.
Race 3 (2:15 p.m. ET/11:15 a.m. PT) — $46K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed bets #1 MO GO (3-1 morning line) for cagey trainer Linda Rice, who brings Irad Ortiz back to ride after a recent claim. Colt should get a good trip from the inside post.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:48 p.m. ET/11:48 a.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 1⅛ mile on the grass
I’m playing #5 KATHYNMARISSA (9-5 morning line) as my BEST BET OF THE DAY. Top trainer Chad Brown hires Flavien Prat to ride and adds Lasix. Winner of more than $1 million, she towers over this weak field.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $40 Win. ($40)
Race 5 (3:21 p.m. ET/12:21 p.m. PT) — $63K OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6½ furlongs
Mr. Ed likes three: #1 BOB’S CARROT (6-1 morning line) for powerful pair of Steve Asmussen and Manny Franco; #2 UNCLE JIM (8-1) with Kendrick Carmouche picking up ride from Trainer Horacio De Paz, and #6 BYE BYE MILES (5-2) for Michael Maker, who hires Ricardo Santana following claim. JimBobMiles prevails.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 7 (4:29 p.m. ET/1:29 p.m. PT) $175K G3 WITH ANTICIPATION STAKES for 2YOs going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
It will be tough to beat Chad Brown’s strong youngster as he makes second start seeking a repeat win under Flavien Prat. #3 CAPITAL PARTNER (5-2 morning line) is my choice.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 8 (5:03 p.m. ET/2:03 p.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & up going 1⅛ mile on the turf
Trainer Danny Gargan brings expensive youngster #13 DRAGONER (12-1 morning line) back with Kendrick Caramouche returning to the saddle after a weak effort as a favorite in the last race. If he can repeat his initial effort, he will beat this crowd. My PLAY OF THE DAY.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20).
Race 10 (6:12 p.m. ET/3:12 p.m. PT) — $63K OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s final bet of the day is on a threesome: #1 CYNANE (4-1 morning line) for Brad Cox and Manny Franco; #4 COMPETITIVE THREAT (2-1) for Chad Brown and Flavien Prat, and #11 ARTISTIC SUCCESS (5-1) for Joe Sharp and Irad Ortiz, Jr. All are powerful teams capable of winning, but I’ll need a pair to finish 1-2.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $170
PLAYS OF THE DAY: (22 bets): -$223.50
BEST BETS OF THE DAY: (22 bets): -$193.50
UPCOMING AT THE SPA: Just because there are only a few racing days left at Saratoga doesn’t mean the high-class season is over. Several major stakes races are on the calendar between now and the track’s closing on Monday (Labor Day), including the Bernard Baruak on Friday; The Spinaway and Flower Bowl on Saturday; The Jockey Club Gold Cup on Sunday, and The Hopeful on Sunday. Join VSiN ‘s Mr. Ed as he closes out the 40-day meet on a winning note.
