Saratoga Picks for Wednesday, August 6:
TRACKING MR. ED: Today is the proverbial hard act to follow at the Spa. Saturday’s stakes-rich, blockbuster 13-race Whitney Day program, highlighted by Sierra Leone’s thrilling victory in the 98th running of the G1 $1 million Whitney, generated a record $49,651,341 wagering handle. Paid attendance on Day 18 of the 40-day annual Summer meet of 42,816. And Sunday’s robust handle and attendance put a cherry on top of an extraordinary five-day week. Racing resumes today following a few dark days, allowing Whitney Week losers, Mr. Ed among them, to lick the wounds to their wagering wallets. Wednesday’s 10-race card is highlighted by the Race 7 $150K Birdstone marathon. The rest of the typical mid-week program features a difficult mix of maiden, claiming and allowance contests. There is a 35% chance of rain. First race goes to the post at 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN picks.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Wednesday (8/06)
RACE 1 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $63K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
Double your pleasure, double your fun with #1 TABEGUACHE (3-1 morning line), teaming popular trainer Rudy Rodriguez and top jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., and #4 COSTA TERRA (2-1) for promising trainer Ilkay Kantamaci with Manny Franco on board.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Doubles of 1,4/3,5. ($20)
Race 2 (1:43 p.m. ET/10:43 a.m. PT) — $95K ALLOWANCE for NY-bred fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
To complete the Double, Mr. Ed likes #3 ROYAL BOBBIE (5-2 morning line) for tenacious Linda Rice with Jose Ortiz and #5 SUMMER WHIRL (9-5) for overdue Jorge Abreu and overachieving Ricardo Santana.
Race 3 ( 2:16 p.m. ET/11:16 a.m. PT) — $34K for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes two for the price of one: #1 WHISTLER’S STYLE & # 1A MISS LAO (entry at 2-1 morning line) for super-savvy Linda Rice with the Bros. Ortiz, Irad Jr. and Jose, respectively, riding. Pair prepared to score.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (4:31 p.m. ET/1:31 p.m. PT) — $150K BIRDSTONE STAKES for 4YOs & up going 1¾-mile
Mr. Ed’s betting on three: #3 GAME WARDEN (9-2 morning line) for Norm Casse with Ricardo Santana, Jr. in saddle; #4 LAMBETH (5-2) with Joe Sharp and Jose Ortiz, and #6 DIGITAL OPS (3-1) for Saffie Joseph, Jr. and Irad Ortiz, Jr. Mr. Ed’s PLAY OF THE DAY.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 8 (5:07 p.m. ET/2:07 p.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YO fillies going a mile on the turf
Three for the money: #5 MIDWAY MEMORIES (3-1 morning line) for Chad Brown with Irad Ortiz, Jr.; #6 ATARAH (6-1) for young Will Walden and Jose Ortiz, Jr., and french import #7 GRISELDA (5-2), also for Brown with leading rider Flavien Prat in the saddle.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 9 (5:44 p.m. ET/2:44 p.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for NY-bred 2YOs going 5½ furlongs on the grass
I like #6 I REST MY CASE (9-2 morning line) for HOF trainer Bill Mott with Jose Lezcano returning to ride. This team knows how to find the Winner’s Circle.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
TOTAL WAGERS: $100
PLAYS OF THE DAY (14 bets): -$137.70
BEST BETS OF THE DAY (13 bets): -$130.00
THURSDAY AT THE SPA: Day 20 of 40 of the meet features the $150K GALWAY STAKES for 3YO fillies going 5½ furlongs on the turf. 50% chance of showers. First post at 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT.
Mr. Ed reminds all: “A bad day at Saratoga beats a good day anywhere else.”
