Saratoga Picks for July 31:
HORSING AROUND WITH MR. ED: Jockeys Flavien Prat and Irad Ortiz, Jr, were the stars of the day with a pair of wins apiece. No trainer was able to score more than one victory. At the windows, the average $2 Win ticket returned a chalky $8.10. Mr. Ed’s Money Machine (results below) got off to a rather tepid start with a single winning exacta wager. Stick around VSiN, folks; better days are ahead.
FRIDAY AT THE SPA: The nine-race card features R9 $250K G2 AMSTERDAM STAKES for 3YOs. First post is set for 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT. The forecast calls for a 40% chance of rain with a high near 80.
Mr. Ed’s Selections
Race 1 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 5½-furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed’s pick is #2 WITHOUT HESITATION (9-5 morning line) for excellent, but due, trainer Wesley Ward with Jose Ortiz up. Not the time to balk.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win.
Race 3 (2:18 p.m. ET/11:18 a.m. PT) — $65K STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s choice is #5 SHEER WILL (2-1 morning line) for deep Linda Rice outfit with top rider Flavien Prat aboard. Gal knows how to finish in the money; seeks repeat.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win.
Race 4 (2:52 p.m. ET/11:52 a.m. PT) — $60K CLAIMING for 3YOs going 1⅛-mile
Mr. Ed is betting on #1 FIRST CALL BOB (4-5 morning line), takes a big drop for Chad Brown, who brings Tyler Gaffalione back to ride. Stretching out from the rail puts him in front. Call me Dr. Chalk.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 5 (3:26 p.m. ET/12:36 p.m. PT) — $62K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s VALUE PLAY OF THE DAY is #1 VISIBLE (6-1 morning line) for always sharp trainer Danny Gargan with quick starter Kendrick Carmouche returning. Look for him in the lane.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 To Win, Place & Show. ($15)
Race 6 (4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for NY-bred 2YOs going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #6 YESTAHAL (5-2 morning line), super-expensive FTS from Brad Cox barn with resurgent jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (4:34 p.m. ET/1:34 p.m. PT) $52K STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
$.50 PICK 4*
R7: 3,6
R8: 5,8
R9: 7
R10: 1,2,3,5,9 ($20)
*In the event of a scratch, the post-time favorite becomes the substitute pick.
Race 9 (5:44 p.m. ET/2:44 p.m. PT) — $250K G2 AMSTERDAM STAKES for 3YOs going 6½-furlongs
To close out the card, Mr. Ed’s betting on #7 OBLITERATION (7-5 morning line) for Steve Asmussen with Jose Ortiz returning to ride. Son of VIOLENCE a proven commodity.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to win ($20)
Mr. Ed’s MONEY MACHINE (thru 07/30)
TOTAL BETS (after scratches): $100.00
WON/LOSS: +$25.90
TOTAL RETURN: -$74.10
SATURDAY AT THE SPA: The loaded 12-race card features three of the very best traditional stakes, headlined by the $500K G2 JIM DANDY for a select field of five top 3YOs. First post is early at 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT. Weather forecast: Clear skies with a high in the upper-70s. Look for Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN picks.
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