Saratoga Picks for Thursday, July 31:
TRACKING MR. ED: The public continued to make trips to the pay window on Wednesday as the average $2 Win ticket returned just south of $10. The leading jockey was Jose Ortiz with a pair of scores. No trainer had more than one trip to the Winner’s Circle. My Mane Squeeze ($4.30) with Luis Saez went wire-to-wire in winning the Race 8 Johnstone Stakes. Looking ahead to Thursday (Day 15 of 40), the Race 9 John Morrissey Stakes headlines the 10-race card. The weather forecast calls for an 80% chance of showers. Post Time for Race 1 is 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT. And those players who stuck with Mr. Ed’s picks were rewarded for their patience. Here’s a look at his Thursday plays.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Thursday (07/31)
Race 3 (2:18 p.m. ET/11:18 a.m. PT) — $63K CLAIMING for 3YOs going 6½ furlongs
Mr. Ed’s choice is #3 BEACHES AND PEARLS (4-1 morning line) for excellent trainer Brendan Walsh (4-2-0-0 at meet) with big rider upgrade to leading jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. Turn back to sprint following 10-length maiden score winning move.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:52 p.m. ET/11:52 a.m. PT) — $36K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going a mile
Nothing could be “finah” than a bet on #4 CAROLINA SMOKESHOW (4-5 morning line), on class drop for sneaky-good trainer Whit Beckman, who brings Manny Franco back to ride. Best speed figure among a weak bunch of coeds.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 5 (3:27 p.m. ET/12:37 p.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for NY-bred fillies and mares, going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes #5 MISS MAGICAL (9-2 morning line) gets blinkers for trainer George Weaver, who sticks with rider Dylan Davis for a third career start. Pricy daughter of Good Magic needs clean break.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Races 7-10 (4:35 p.m. ET/1:35 p.m.) — $1 Pick 4*
R7: 3,6,9
R8: 1,3,4
R9: 9
R10: 1,3,6,9 ($36)
*In the event of a scratch, the post-time favorite becomes the substitute pick.
Race 7 (4:35 p.m. ET/1:35 p.m. PT) — $75K OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies and mares going 5½ furlongs on the grass
Hot trainer Joe Sharp drops speedster #9 NUMERO SEIS (8-5 morning line) and names Jose Ortiz to ride. KY shipper ready to roll after a brief break.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 9 (5:44 p.m. ET/2:44 p.m. PT) — $150K JOHN MORRISSEY STAKES for NY-bred 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #9 WHATCHATALKINABOUT (2-1 morning line) for sprint specialist trainer Wesley Ward, who retains top jock Irad Ortiz, Jr. Impressive string of fast works points to preparedness. Gelding is my BEST BET OF THE DAY.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & 5 Exacta Box with 2&5. ($30)
Race 10 (6:19 p.m. ET/3:19 p.m. PT) — $75K OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
I like #9 ANNELLE (6-1 morning line) for trainer Carlos David, who brings jockey Nik Juarez to Spa for his first stakes. Pairing them again points to maximum effort. Mr. Ed’s PLAY OF THE DAY.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $136
PLAYS OF THE DAY (13 bets): -$109.70
BEST BETS OF THE DAY (11 bets): -$60.00
LOOKING AHEAD AT THE SPA: Friday (Day 17 of 40) features the G2 National Museum of Racing HOF as Race 7 of a challenging 10-race card. Zulu Kingdom for Chad Brown is the expected favorite. Saturday’s program, the best card of the meet thus far, spotlights seven graded stakes:
- G1 Whitney
- G3 Adirondack
- G2 Troy
- G2 Saratoga Special
- G1 Fourstardave
- G1 Saratoga Derby
- G1 Test
