Saratoga Picks for July 3:
IN HIS MIND HE’S GONE TO SARATOGA: After an embarrassing parade of losers at Churchill Downs last weekend, Mr. Ed couldn’t get out of Louisville fast enough. So, it’s on to his favorite summertime spot. An early look at today’s 11-race Opening Day program at the Spa is highlighted by a pair of stakes (Races 8 & 9) and a wide-open starter allowance (Race 11), to conclude the card’s Pick 6. Looking ahead, Mr. Ed will post his exclusive VSiN selections every Wednesday-Sunday thru Labor Day.
WHERE HAVE ALL THE JOCKEYS GONE? Two of the nation’s top riders — Irad Ortiz, Jr. and Luis Saez — will be absent from the Spa til Wednesday, the result of suspensions handed out by stewarts at the NY track last Summer and by Delaware Park officials last month. Two other popular jockeys — Kendrick Carmouche and always-smiling Katie Davis — will also be out until Wednesday, due to riding rules infractions. Lastly, jockey Chris Elliott sits out the first three days of the meet due to careless riding, according to reports in the Daily Racing Form.
HIP, HIP SPA RAH: It doesn’t take a handicapping guru like Mr. Ed to predict that fan favs Irad Ortiz, Jr. (once he’s out of the pokey) and Flavien Prat will both have excellent meets. But, keep an eye on popular NYers Manny Franco and Kendrick Carmouche (pokey, too) and NJ import Paco Lopez to be among the Top 10 riders. As for trainers, the barns of Chad Brown, Brad Cox and Linda Rice are expected to excel, while Mr. Ed believes Miguel Clement, Whit Beckman, Danny Gargan and Wesley Ward all will have an excellent meet.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Opening Day at Saratoga
Race 1 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs and up going 1⅛-mile
Mr. Ed picks either #5 PRETTY BOY MIAH (8-1 morning line) for savvy NY trainer Jeremiah Englehart, retaining Ricardo Santana, Jr. in the saddle. Pitch Preakness flop. Or, #6 FOUNDERS (3-1) with rider upgrade to Manny Franco for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Doubles: 5,6/5,9. ($20)
Race 2 (1:43 p.m. ET/10:43 a.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies and mares going 5½-furlongs on the grass
Mr. Ed likes a pair to complete DD: #5 TIMBERTOP (3-1 morning line) in second start for Wesley Ward, who retains Johnny V., and #9 ROCKABYE (4-1) for conditioner Miguel Clement with Manny Franco riding.
Race 3 (2:17 p.m. ET/11:17 a.m. PT) — $105K for NY-bred 3YOs going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s pick is #3 ANYWAY (5-2 morning line) for always-sharp trainer Linda Rice with jockey Manny Franco going for opening day hat trick.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 5 (3:25 p.m. ET/12:15 p.m. PT) — $120K for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 5½-furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed will take a gamble on #3 PAULA’S A STAR (4-1 morning star) for popular NY trainer Tom Morley with Ricardo Santana, Jr. returning to ride. Expect a much-improved effort from the rising star in her second turf start.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 6 (3:59 p.m. ET/12:59 p.m. PT) — $37K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
Looking for a bomb-from-behind? Join Mr. Ed in betting on #3 PROVE WORTHY (7-2 morning line) for owner-trainer Bill Morey with Edgard Zayas returning to ride. Gelding knows how to close.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (4:33 p.m. ET/1:33 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #5 FORT NELSON (6-1 morning line), trained by savvy Linda Rice with rider upgrade to Jose Ortiz; #6 MAGNANIMOUS MAX (1-1) also trained by Rice with popular Manny Franco aboard; and #7 WHITE SMOKE RISING (9-2) for NY trainer Charlton Baker with Johnny V. up.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 8 (5:07 p.m. ET/2:07 p.m. PT) — $150K WILD APPLAUSE STAKES for 3YO fillies going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes #7 TO A FLAME (9-2 morning line), daughter of Triple Crown winner Justify, for trainer Rusty Arnold with Jose Ortiz aboard. Pitch last. Bet today.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 9 (5:41 p.m. ET/2:41 p.m. PT) — $200K SCHUYLERVILLE STAKES for 2YO fillies going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed singles Steve Asmussen’s second-starter #5 WASHTON (4-1 morning line) with Tyler Gaffalione picking up the mount. Sprinter won debut in slop, can improve on dry course.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & $10 to Place. ($20)
Race 10 (6:15 p.m. PT/3:15 p.m. PT) — $150K SARANAC STAKES for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s VALUE PLAY OF DAY is #9 BLINGING IT BACK (12-1 morning line), gelded son of Volatile, trained by Mark Casse with Edgard Zayas picking up mount. Tested gelding yet to fire best.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win & $10 to Place. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $150
SATURDAY AT THE SPA … You’d think it was the 4th of July with fans being treated to an 11-race card, featuring four first-class stakes, including two Grade ones. First race post time is 12:35 p.m. ET/9:35 a.m. PT. The weather forecast calls for highs in the low-80s with a 65% chance of showers. Look for Mr. Ed’s selections, come rain or come shine, here on VSiN daily through Labor Day.
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