Saratoga Picks for Thursday, August 7:
TRACKING MR. ED: When all was said and run on Tuesday, Bros. Ortiz led the way to the Winner’s Circle with Jose capturing three wins and Irad a pair, respectively. For the meet thus far (20 days), Irad leads the jockey colony with 33 Wins, Jose with 31, and Ricardo Santana a distant third with 20. As for conditioners, Chad Brown leads with 16 victories, followed by Todd Pletcher and Linda Rice with 14 apiece. Thursday’s 10-race card features the R7 GALWAY STAKES for 3YO fillies on the turf. First race post time is 1:10 p.m. ET. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Thursday (8/07)
Race 1 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $38K MAIDEN CLAIMING FOR 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
Mr. Ed likes two in Leg 1 of a Daily Double: #5 OTTO NIPOTI (9-2 morning line) for top-tier trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Luis Saez, and #7 INDY RAGS (9-2) also for Pletcher and hot-shot Ricardo Santana.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 5,7/5,7. ($20)
Race 2 (1:44 p.m. ET/10:44 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s picks for Leg 2 of Double are #5 OLIVETTI (6-1 morning line) for top trainer Chad Brown and Flavien Prat, and #7 HEDGE RATIO (4-1) also from Brown barn with Irad Ortiz, Jr. Top conditioners + top jocks = winning numbers.
Race 3 (2:18 p.m. ET/11:18 a.m. PT) — $68K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #1 GOLDEN DEGREE (4-5 morning line) odds-on favorite for Linda Rice and Jose Lezcano: #3 READY FOR TROUBLE (9-2) for trainer Norm Casse with Ricardo Santana, and #6 I’M BUZZY (8-1) for NY horseman Charlie Baker and Joel Rosario.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 4 (2:52 p.m. ET/11:52 a.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the grass
In anticipation of the race being moved to dirt, Mr. Ed likes #4 REGALED (4-5 morning line) for trainer Whit Beckman, who hires top jock Irad Ortiz to ride. Expensive filly prepared to score
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 5 (3:27 p.m. ET/12:27 p.m. PT) — $55K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed is betting on a trio: #1 FISCAL DRAG (5-2 morning line) for dynamo team of Chad Brown and Flavien Prat; #3 THE CLOSER (3-1) for trainer Bill Mott and go-to guy Junior Alvarado, and #6 SHADOW SURGE (4-1) for trainer George Weaver and popular rider Manny Franco.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 7 (4:36 p.m. ET/1:36 p.m. PT) — $150K GALWAY STAKES for 3YO fillies going 5½ furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed will take a shot with British-invader #3 MAKE HASTE (12-1 morning line) for rookie conditioner Miguel Clement, teaming with jockey Flavien Prat. Pitch last out and watch her sprint to victory at an excellent price. Mr. Ed’s PLAY OF THE DAY.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)
Race 8 (5:10 p.m. ET/2:10 p.m. PT) — $95K ALLOWANCE for NY-bred 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
Mr. Ed’s bet is that #6 IRON DOME (7-5 morning line) is fully capable of repeating speedy last-out effort in 10-length victory. All-time leading trainer Steve Asmussen taps Jose Ortiz to ride again. Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $30 to Win.
Race 9 (5:44 p.m. ET/2:44 p.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs going 1 mile on the turf
For his final wager on the card, Mr. Ed likes three if race is taken off grass: #8 SOLO VENTURI (10-1 morning line) for young trainer Will Walden; #14 INTERCEPTOR (4-1) for conditioner Chad Brown, and #15 FORT NELSON (5-2) for HOF trainer Bill Mott.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $175
PLAYS OF THE DAY (15 bets): -$167.70
BEST BETS OF THE DAY (13 bets): -$130.00
COMING UP AT THE SPA: Friday’s 10-race card is headlined by the Race 8 BALSTON STAKES for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf. And, several graded stakes are on tap at Saratoga over the weekend. Mr. Ed will be on hand with his daily selections.
