Saratoga Picks for August 14:
HORSING AROUND WITH MR. ED: Leading rider Jose Ortiz, with a little help from his sidelined brother Irad, had four winners on Thursday, including two pickup mounts from his bro. And, VSiN’s Mr. Ed, in dire need of winners to begin his financial comeback, was able to hit a get-out-of-town Daily Double for a meager $45.36. First post on Friday, with a 35% chance of showers, is 1:10 p.m./10:10 a.m. PT. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s picks.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Selections for Friday, 8/14
Race 1 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $75K STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs going a mile (Wilson Shute)
Mr. Ed likes either of two in the first leg of DD: #1 INTO THE LIGHT (3-1 morning line) with Dylan Davis riding for Dick Dutrow, and #6 WHO’S YOUR ZADDY (5-2) for Orlando Noda (winner of 3 of 6 at meet) with Manny Franco in the saddle.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 1,6/4,6. ($20)
Race 2 (1:44 p.m. ET/10:44 a.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 5½-furlongs on the turf
To close out the DD, Mr. Ed likes either #4 DENOS GRACE (8-1 morning line) for favorite new trainer Whit Beckman with rider change to Tyler Gaffalione, or #6 SOUTHERN KISS (2-1) for trainer Mark Casse and top jockey Jose Ortiz.
Race 3 (2:18 p.m. ET/11:18 a.m. PT) — $125K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s bet is on #2 COSMIC YEAR (8-5 morning line) for the powerful combo of Chad Brown and Manny Franco riding for the third time. Filly gets Lasik for the first time. Here’s to modern medicine.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win ($20)
Race 4 (2:52 p.m. ET/11:52 p.m. PT) — $65K CLAIMING for 3YOs going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #2 DAIQUIRI SOMMELIER (4-1 morning line) for savvy trainer Al Stall, Jr., with a rider change to Luis Saez; #5 ABRIGADO (7-2) for Extra Joe Sharp; rider TBD, and #6 NEIGH BABY (9-2) for Upstate-NY trainer Jeremiah Englehart. Any two of three.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 2,5,6. ($30)
Race 5 (3:26 p.m. ET/12:26 p.m. PT) — $71K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile (Wilson Shute)
Mr. Ed likes #7 STREAM IT (3-1 morning line). Manny Franco riding for trainer Linda Rice, whose barn is just beginning to heat up. Stream heat is on.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (4:34 p.m. ET/1:34 p.m. PT) — $45K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
Mr. Ed’s putting his cool cash on three: #6 PINEAPPLE MAN (8-1 morning line) returns to form for Michelle Nevin with hot Jose Ortiz up; #7 GLEN AIRY (9-5) for Mike Maker, and #9 APALTA (9-2) for surprising trainer Ilkay Kantarmaci with hard-charging Manny Franco on board.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 6,7,9. ($30)
Race 8 (5:09 p.m. ET/2:09 p.m. PT) — $125K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s pick is #4 VIBRANT EXPRESS (6-1 morning line), shortening up a bit for George Weaver, who switches riders to Manny Franco. Look for the gelding to capture sixth race.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 9 (5:44 p.m. ET/2:44 p.m. PT) SMART & FANCY STAKES for fillies & mares, 3YOs & Up, going 5½-furlongs on the grass
Mr. Ed’s betting the classy #9 ZEITLOS (2-1 morning line) will bury this mediocre field from outside post. She’s gunning for her 10th lifetime win.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 10 (6:19 p.m. ET/3:19 p.m. PT) — $71K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & going 1 1/16-mile on the grass
Mr. Ed is betting on a trio: #1 VIVALDI (4-1 morning line) for top team of Chad Brown and Jose Ortiz; #2 ABOUT FACE (2-1) for Brad Cox; rider TBD, #8 DUTY (5-1) with Jaime Rodriguez in the saddle. Any two of three for the money.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 1,2,8. ($30)
TOTAL FRIDAY WAGERS: $180
SATURDAY AT THE SPA: The excellent 12-race card, with the first race going to post at 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT, features the R11 $750K G1 CHRISTOPHE CLEMENT for 3YOs going 1½-mile on the turf. In addition to a number of competitive allowance and claiming contests, the R10 $200K GALWAY STAKES, a turf sprint for fillies, rounds out the program. Mr. Ed will be on hand attempting to regain his financial footing.
Mr. Ed’s MONEY MACHINE
(through Thursday, August 13, 2026)
TOTAL BETS: (after scratches): $849.00
WON/LOSS: -$454.89
TOTAL RETURN: -$394.11
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