Saratoga Picks for Wednesday, August 13:
HORSING AROUND: Today (#25) of the current 40-day meet kicks off a 10-race card featuring a steeplechase followed by a mixed bag of allowance, maiden and claiming contests. But first, there are several items of interest worth sharing. Leading jockey is Irad Ortiz, Jr., with 40 wins. However, today he begins serving a three-day suspension, which TV analysts have neglected to mention. Brother Jose (36) and Flavien Prat (26) trail. In the race for leading trainer, Chad Brown (27) is followed by Todd Pletcher (16) and Linda Rice (16). The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has renamed the G1 Sword Dancer Stakes in honor of recently deceased trainer Christophe Clement. The NYRA confirmed that last Saturday’s final race was run at the erroneous distance of 1 1/16 miles rather than the listed route of 1 1/8 miles. (I kid you not!) Meanwhile, in an effort to improve his recent dismal performance here and at the windows, Mr. Ed attended a grueling, two-day class in remedial handicapping at the J. Peterman School for Recovering Public Handicappers. No word yet on his grades. However, he didn’t need to be reminded that here at VSiN, cashing tickets is what it’s all about. As for today’s racing, the weather forecast calls for a 40% chance of rain. 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 Wednesday (8/13)
Race 2 (1:48 p.m. ET/10:48 a.m. PT) — $47K OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile
Mr. Ed’s Leg 1 of the early DD: #4 MARGIN OF AIR (3-1 morning line) for new trainer Ilkay Kantarmaci with overdue rider Manny Franco on the class drop, and #6 MY NOBLE KNIGHT (9-5) for trainer/TV analyst Tom Amoss, who retains rider Jose Ortiz. A pair of aces.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 4,6/4,6. ($20)
Race 3 (2:20 p.m. ET/11:20 a.m. PT) — $90 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for NY-bred 2YOs going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
To complete the bet, Mr. Ed likes #4 SHE’S COUNTRY (5-2 morning line) for 21%-win trainer George Weaver and a rider TBD, with #6 PRINCESS CELINE (7-2) for long overdue Brad Cox barn with Manny Franco. Two good to be true.
Race 4 (2:52 p.m. ET/11:52 a.m. PT) — $115K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY is #5 GUN PARTY (4-5 morning line) for HOF trainer Steve Asmussen, who retains Jose Ortiz to ride. Ultra-consistent son of Curlin ready to score.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 5 (3:26 p.m. ET/12:36 p.m. PT) — $63K CLAIMING for 3YOs going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes coupled entry of #1 CALL ME FAST & #1A GUN IT (both at 7-2 morning line) for trainer Ilkay Kantarmaci with rider Manny Franco (other jockey TBD). Either of these is good enough for Mr. Ed.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 6 (4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT) — $50K MAIDEN CLAIMING for NY-bred 3YOs & up going 5½ furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed knows an attorney named James Orie from a prominent PA political family. My money’s on his namesake #7 ORIE (2-1 morning line) for trainer Mike Maker with overdue rider Luis Saez. Mr. Ed empathizes.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 8 (5:07 p.m. ET/2:07 p.m. PT) — $150K STATUE OF LIBERTY STAKES for 3YO eligible fillies going a mile on the grass
Mr. Ed has a late DD. In Leg 1, he likes two: #6 HANGOVER HEAVEN (7-2 morning line) for struggling trainer Dick Dutrow with leading jockey Jose Ortiz, and #8 NONNA LYNNE (4-1) for the powerful team of Manny Franco and Chad Brown. Manny’s my man and Mr. Ed is sticking with him.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 6,8/4,6,7. ($30)
Race 9 (5:44 p.m. ET/2:44 p.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 5½ furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #4 BINT MISCHIEF (4-1 morning line) for young trainer William Walden, who names HOFer Johnny Velasquez to ride; #6 DELIGHTFUL DARLING (3-1) for highly respected trainer Mark Casse, who retains top-jock Jose Ortiz, and longshot #7 LEXICO (15-1) for promising pair of conditioner Whit Beckman and jockey Kendrick Carmouche.
TOTAL WAGERS: $100
PLAYS OF THE DAY (17 bets): -$242.40
BEST BETS OF THE DAY: (15 bets): -$225.50
LOOKING AHEAD AT THE SPA: This week’s racing highlight is the $600K G1 ALABAMA STAKES for 3YOs fillies going 1¼ mile on Saturday. Early indications are the race will be a three-way showdown among Good Cheer, Nitrogen and La Cara in addition to three other entrants.
