Saratoga Picks for August 8:
HORSING AROUND WITH MR. ED: If Saturday is Whitney Day at the Spa, then Friday was Manny Franco Day as the popular NY jockey booted home six winners, five consecutive early in the 11-race card. Those overshadowed by Manny’s performance included Irad Ortiz, Jr. with a pair of scores and trainer Linda Rice with three winners. At the windows, the average $2 Win ticket returned $11.80. When all was said and run, the day set the table for what promises to be a thrilling, 14-race card. The Whitney Stakes and three other Grade 1 stakes highlight Saturday’s star-studded program.
TODAY AT SARATOGA: The Spa is serving up a handicapper’s four- course feast topped by a generous helping of competitive old pros in Race 11 G1 $1M WHITNEY. Leading up to the main course are three additional G1 stakes. The remainder of the 14-race program (an early first post at 11:45 a.m. ET/8:45 a.m. PT) is loaded with maiden contests and deep allowance races. After a few days of R&R, Mr. Ed is more than ready to fire with both fists at a very playable card. With a 40% chance of rain, sharp horseplayers should keep an eye on the weather and adjust their thinking accordingly. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections.
MR. ED’s SELECTIONS
Race 1 — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 6½-furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a pair in the first leg of a DD: #3 GORILLAZ (5-2 morning line), making his debut for the Danny Gargan barn, with Luis Saez riding, and #5 STAR SALUTE (5-1), reuniting popular team of trainer Steve Asmussen and jockey Ricardo Santana, Jr. Looking for bomb? Consider #6.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 3,5/3,8 ($20)
Race 2 (12:21 p.m. ET/9:21 a.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 6½-furlongs
To successfully complete early DD, Mr. Ed likes #3 LIVE (6-1 morning line) for HoF team of Todd Pletcher and Johnny Velazquez, and #8 MYSTRIX (7-2), again for Gargan & Saez duo. Looking for longshot? #6.
Race 4 (1:34 p.m. ET/10:34 a.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the grass
Mr. Ed’s putting his money on #7 SAIL WITH THE WIND (7-2 morning line) for top Upstate horseman Jeremiah Englehart with Junior Alvarado on board. Anchors away!
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 5 (2:10 p.m. ET/11:10 a.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes three for the money: #3 AGOO (6-1 morning line) for up-and-comer Whit Beckman with rider switch to Tyler Gaffalione; #6 PRETTY BOY MIAH (2-1) for Jeremiah Englehart with Richardo Santana up, and #8 FACT (9-2) for young Will Walden and hot-jock Manny Franco.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 3,6,8. ($30)
Race 7 (3:23 p.m. ET/12:23 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s betting on #9 EMERGENCE (9-2 morning line) for trainer Brad Cox with Irad Ortiz, Jr. riding. Consistent, late-running son of Uncle Mo appears ready for maximum effort.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 9 (4:36 p.m. ET/1:36 p.m. PT) — $500K G1 TEST STAKES for 3YOs going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #2 PERCY’S BAR (8-1 morning line) for savvy horseman Ben Colebrook with huge rider upgrade to red-hot Manny Franco; #7 EXPLORA (5-2) for Bob Baffert and #8 CARMEL COAST (15-1) for emerging duo of Whit Beckman and Tyler Gaffalione. Worth the risk.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 2,7,8. ($30)
Race 10 (5:14 p.m. ET/2:14 p.m. PT) — $750K G1 FOURSTARDAVE STAKES for 3YOs & up on the turf
Mr. Ed likes ultra-consistent #1 RHETORICAL (5-2 morning line) for young trainer Will Walden with regular rider Irad Ortiz, Jr.
SARATOGA SELECTION: Say what you will, pick’s a superstar. Bet $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 11 (5:52 p.m. ET/2:52 p.m. PT) — $750K G1 SARATOGA DERBY for 3YOs going 1 3/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes British-bred #4 TITLE ROLE (9-2 morning line) for British trainer Simon Crisford with Johnny Velazquez retaining the mount. If the colt gets up front early, bet he’s going to the Winner’s Circle.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 12 (6:33 p.m. ET/3:33 p.m. PT) — $1M G1 WHITNEY STAKES for 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
Mr. Ed’s pick faces all comers; just keeps getting better and better. His choice is #8 BAEZA (7-2 morning line), for HoF trainer Bill Mott with tip-top jock Flavien Prat returning to saddle.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win & $5 Exacta Box of 8&1,5. ($40).
Race 13 (7:06 p.m. ET/4:06 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
To close out the Whitney Day program. Mr. Ed likes two legs of the late DD: #3 HELEN’S REVENGE (6-1 morning line) for top trainer Linda Rice with big rider upgrade to Flavien Prat, and #9 BEACH HEIST (6-1) with NY’s fan-favorite rider Manny Franco for young trainer Will Walden.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 3,9/2,4. ($20)
Race 14 (7:39 p.m. ET/4:39 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs going 1⅜-mile on the grass
Mr. Ed is betting on either #2 CAPITAL PARTNER (7-2 morning line) for super-sharp team of trainer Chad Brown and top-jock Flavien Prat, and #4 VERSAILLES ROAD (5-1) for HoF trainer Todd Pletcher with Manny “Mr. Saratoga” Franco riding.
TOTAL: $200
Mr. Ed’s MONEY MACHINE
TOTAL BETS: (after scratches): $330.00
WON/LOSS: +$156.10
TOTAL RETURN: -$173.90
NOTE: Up-to-date Saratoga jockey and trainer standings return on Wednesday.
