Saratoga Picks for August 15:
HORSING AROUND WITH MR. ED: Where to start. Mr. Ed, who has known legendary HoF trainer Nick Zito for decades, nearly sobbed along with him as youthful, smilin’ Kattie Davis booted home his first winner of 2026 in the finale. Mr. Ed began to break out of his VSiN slump when ZEITLOS scored in a hard-earned win in Race 9, paying $47.60 for Mr. Ed’s $20 bet. His losses remain hefty. Other winners included leading rider Jose Ortiz with three victories, and the public as the average $2 Win ticket returned a chalk-loving, slightly more than $10.
SATURDAY AT SARATOGA: In all his years of handicapping, Mr. Ed cannot recall a more challenging day of grinding to find legitimate challengers and eventual winners on a 12-race card. And since Mr. Ed has dug a sizable gap in his bankroll (see Mr. Ed’s Money Machine below), it only makes finding winners all the more difficult. However, after several hours of marking up today’s card at Saratoga, he found a few gems to share with VSiN followers. First race goes to post at 12:30 p.m. ET/10:30 p.m. under partly cloudy skies, with a high in the 70s forecast.
Saratoga Selections for Saturday, 8/15
Race 1 (12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT) — $54K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Yes, we have no DD today. Race 2 was far too tough. But Mr. Ed has a solid pick here in R1. He likes #8 FISTFULOFMONEY (6-1 morning line) for out-of-town trainer Kevin Rice, who hires hot Jose Ortiz to ride.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:09 p.m. ET/11:09 a.m. PT) — $105K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going a mile (Wilson Shute)
Stretching out for sharp trainer Linda Rice, #2 LADY ROSE (9-5 morning line) appears poised to break her maiden as Jose Lezcano retains mount. She is Mr. Ed’s pick.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 5 (2:43 p.m. ET/11:43 a.m. PT) — $105K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the grass
Mr. Ed likes chalky #8 CONSIDERATE CITY (8-5 morning line) for low-profile trainer James Ferraro. Convincing Manny Franco to hop aboard only adds to the appeal of the wager.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 6 (3:17 p.m. ET/12:17 p.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 6 furlongs
It’s about time trainer Whit Beckman earned his keep! Mr. Ed likes his FTS #2 V FORMATION (10-1 morning line) to break his maiden at first asking. Mr. Ed boxes him with a few other promising youngsters.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Boxes 2 with 3,6,8,9. ($40)
Race 7 (3:52 p.m. ET/12:52 p.m. PT) —$125K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs sprinting 5 ½-furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed’s betting on three: #3 NO EVIDENCE (5-1 morning line) for trainer Miguel Clement, who seeks a repeat of last with Flavien Prat. Gelding is just begging to put things together. Without evidence, there is no #4 FINAL VERDICT (7-2) for low-profile Ed Baker and top rider Jose Ortiz, and #6 CANDYTOWN (9-2) gets blinkers from Todd Pletcher with rider TBD.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 3,4,6. ($30)
Race 8 (4:29 p.m. ET/1:29 p.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 6 furlongs
Expensive son of super-sire Gun Runner #3 Q B ROCKET (4-1 morning line) appears ready to rock ‘n’ roll for Brad Cox barn. He may never look back. Rider TBD.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 9 (5:06 p.m. ET/2:06 p.m. PT) — $750K G1 CHRISTOPHE CLEMENT TURF for 3 YOs going 1½-miles on the turf
Mr. Ed sticks with the horse that has been good to him, #2 TAWNY PORT (8-1 morning line), betting he’ll win the race named for trainer Miguel Clement’s father. More-than-capable Kendrick Carmouche rides.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Races 9-12 — .$50 pick 4*
R9: 1,2,4
R10: 5,6,7,8
R11: 2,7
R12: 1,4,8 ($36)
*In the event of a scratch, the post-time favorite will be the substitute pick.
TODAY’S TOTAL WAGERS: $186
Mr. Ed’s MONEY MACHINE
(through Friday, August 14, 2026)
TOTAL BETS: (after scratches): $1009.00
TICKETS CASHED: -$502.49
PROFIT/LOSS: -$506.11
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