Saratoga Picks for August 21:
HORSING AROUND WITH MR. ED: After all was said and run, only three received stars for their performance on Wednesday: Jockeys Dylan Davis and Flavien Prat each had a pair of winners, as did low-profile trainer Ray Handal. With the average $2 Win ticket returning $8.50, it was the chalkiest day at the track Mr. Ed (whose picks were shut out) can EVER remember. More profitable days are ahead, folks; just count on Mr. Ed and VSIN to find them. On to Friday.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Friday, 8/21
Race 1 — $41K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile (Wilson Shute)
Mr. Ed’s betting on either of two: #3 CUGINO (8-5 morning line) for Shug McGaughey barn with Flavien Prat riding, and #5 RIGHT TO VOTE (5-2) with Manny Franco riding for trainer Chad Brown.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 3,5/3,5. ($20)
Race 2 (1:44 p.m. ET/10:44 a.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for NY-bred 3YOs going a mile (Wilson Shute)
Mr. Ed likes #3 WHITTINGTON PARK (5-2 morning line) with Dylan Davis in the saddle for trainer Orlando Noda, or #5 DR. KRAFT (3-1) for trainer Ilkay Kantarmaci with Flavien Prat aboard.
Race 3 (2:18 p.m. ET/11:18 a.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN CLAIMING for fillies & mares, 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed is betting on favorite #2 JADORLINIJA (2-1 morning line) from trainer Miguel Clement’s barn with Ricardo Santana back on board. Daughter of Curlin going shorter, should help.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:52 p.m. ET/11:52 a.m. PT) — $55K CLAIMING for 3YOS & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s choice is #2 ISLAND TOWN (2-1 morning line). Colt just keeps getting better for the Asmussen barn with Jose Ortiz riding. It’s time to swim to town.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 7 (4:34 p.m. ET/1:34 p.m. PT) — $125K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
Two of these three are winners: #6 GEORGIA MAGIC (6-1 morning line) with hot team of upstart trainer Steve Schauer and popular jockey Manny Franco; #7 SOLO VENTURI (3-1), Bill Walden trains; Flavien Prat rides, and #9 YO DADDY (7-2).
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 8 (5:09 p.m. ET/2:09 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies & mares, 3YOs and up going 5½-furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a get-out-of-town DD of #6 SOD SIREN (7-2 morning line) from way overdue Saffie Joseph, Jr. barn with Flavien Prat up, or #11 ROMAN GRACE (5-2) for hot Linda Rice outfit with Ricardo Santana returning.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 6,11/2,3,4. ($30)
Race 9 (5:44 p.m. ET/2:44 p.m. PT) — $200K FLEET INDIAN STAKES for NY-bred 3YOs going 1⅛-mile
Mr. Ed likes any of these three: #2 HOT CURRENCY (7-2 morning line) for team of Linda Rice and Manny Franco; #3 VENETTA (5-2) for Danny Gargan and regular rider Kendrick Carmouche, and #4 IRON ORCHARD (3-1) for Steve Asmussen and Jose Ortiz.
TOTAL BETS (after scratches) FRIDAY: $110.
MR. ED’S MONEY MACHINE
(through Thursday, August 20, 2026)
TOTAL BETS: (after scratches): $1,315.00
TICKETS CASHED: $1,335.89
PROFIT/LOSS: +$20.89
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