Saratoga Picks for July 10:
HORSING AROUND WITH MR. ED: Several years ago Mr. Ed realized there was a huge hole in his handicapping toolbox — and he decided to attack it on the backstretch. Many thanks to an owner friend who arranged for Mr. Ed to spend a week in the barn of a prominent trainer. Prior to that experience, Mr. Ed knew absolutely zip about training and caring for the equine athlete or the folks who looked after them 24/7. Here are just a few lessons learned: (1) Be aware of the horses — a quick kick could kill or severely injure you. (2) A good groom is the unsung hero of a thoroughbred’s success. (3) Hotwalkers are among the strongest folks in the barn. (4) Jockeys put in a full day’s work before dawn — prior to riding a day’s card that afternoon. (5) In addition to training horses, the man in charge is also the bookkeeper, the chief financial officer, nursemaid, the PR man, the head of human & equine resources — yes, and a muckraker.
THURSDAY & FRIDAY AT THE SPA: As luck would have it, CHALK CITY arrived just in time to boost Mr. Ed’s bankroll for the coming weekend. He had a field day in Races 1-7 when the average $2 Win ticket returned $5.40. Jockey Jose Ortiz played while his brother Irad was still away, booting home three winners. Friday’s 10-race program features R9 G3 $225K VICTORY RIDE STAKES, a 6½ furlong sprint for 3YO fillies. The rest of the card is a mixture of competitive allowance and claiming contests. NOTE: Last year’s leading rider, Irad Ortiz, Jr., has yet to show up at the Spa. The forecast calls for a 65% chance of rain with highs in the mid-80s. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN picks.
Saratoga Selections for Friday, 7/10
Race 1 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
Mr. Ed likes #1 HADRIAN’S WALL (4-5 morning line), a $1.3 million purchase by Chad Brown & Co. with Flavien Prat returning to ride.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 Daily Double of 1/7. ($10)
Race 2 (1:42 p.m. ET/10:42 a.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going a mile
Mr. Ed’s pick to capture DD is #7 MARY’S GUNNA RUN (8-5 morning line), stretching out for classy trainer Graham Motion with Jaime Rodriguez back in the saddle.
Race 4 (2:47 p.m. ET/11:47 a.m. PT) — $120 ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the grass
Mr. Ed likes two from Chad Brown barn: #4 FAVORABLE SCENARIO (9-5 morning line) with Flavien Prat riding, and #5 DEBT LIMIT (5-1), French-born gelding with Dylan Davis returning, and #6 ELNAJD (5-2) for trainer Brad Cox with Manny Franco up. Powerful trio.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box ($30)
Race 5 (3:20 p.m. ET/12:20 p.m. PT) — $125K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6½-furlongs
Mr. Ed likes jockey Jaime Rodriguez riding #4 CONTRARY THINKING (2-1 morning line) for trainer Amelia Green. Quick break is all he needs to score.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 6 (3:53 p.m. ET/12:53 p.m. PT) — $75K MAIDEN CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s likes: #2 RESORT (8-1 morning line) for trainer Mike Trombetta with HoFer Johnny Velazquez riding; #4 U VICKY (12-1) for trainer Lindsay Schulz with big rider upgrade to Jose Ortiz, and #7 EPIC SELLOFF (7-2), for excellent team of Chad Brown and Flavien Prat.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 7 (4:28 p.m. ET/1:28 p.m. PT) — $125K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up, going 5½-furlongs on the grass
Mr. Ed’s VALUE PLAY OF DAY is #4 SOMETHING STRONGER (6-1 morning line) for savvy trainer Al Stall, Jr. with huge rider upgrade to Flavien Prat. Expensive daughter of JUSTIFY looking for repeat.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)
Race 9 (5:40 p.m. ET/2:40 p.m. PT) — $220K VICTORY RIDE STAKES for 3YO fillies going 6½-furlongs
Mr. Ed’s longshot pick is #3 CARMEL COAST (8-1 morning line) for up-and-coming trainer Whit Beckman with Tyler Gaffalione returning to ride. Speedy daughter of OMAHA BEACH looking to amend for a troubled trip in last.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Pace. ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $115
HARVEY PACKISM: “Never bet on a horse that is being asked to do something he has not done before.” (Kinda like betting on Mr. Ed to perform brain surgery.)
SATURDAY AT THE SPA: The 11-race program offers something for everyone, topped by a pair of G2 stakes, R5 THE CARESS and R10 THE BOWLING GREEN. Players are greeted by a pair of competitive Maiden Special Weight contests (R1&2), while a third one (R11) closes out the card. Some rain in the forecast with a high in the 80s. First post is set for 12:35 p.m. ET/9:35 a.m. PT. Be sure to look for Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections.
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