Saratoga Picks for July 11:
HORSING AROUND WITH THE ORTIZ BROS: Early payoffs on Friday’s Saratoga card resembled Thursday’s version of Chalk City as the average $2 bet over the first five races returned a meager $5.14. Then, the bombs fell. By the time the card was over, the average $2 win bet over 10 races returned $14.60. Jose Ortiz continued to ride as if his brother wasn’t there — which he wasn’t — as Jose won three more races. As for Saturday, a pair of stakes, R5 THE CARESS and R10 THE BOWLING GREEN, headline the 11-race program. And, the day marks the seasonal debut of perennial leading rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. Last year Irad held off younger brother Jose to capture the riding title with 59 wins to 55. During his absence this summer, Jose has made a dozen trips to the Winner’s Circle while Irad has been on the bench due to a suspension. Despite spotting his brother 12 wins, Irad will eventually win the riding title, according to Mr. Ed. So, get on board now because the Irad Win Machine is about to leave the station as he has seven mounts on Saturday’s card. With clear skies and a high in the 80s, first post Saturday is 12:35 p.m. ET/9:35 a.m. PT. With FAST & FIRM conditions, here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s picks.
Saratoga Selections for Saturday, 7/11
Race 1 (12:35 p.m. ET/9:35 a.m. ET) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 5½-furlongs
Mr. Ed’s picks to begin the early DD are: #3 DECIMATION (7-2 morning line), reuniting the first-class duo of Steve Asmussen and Ricardo Santana, Jr.; and #6 MAGIC CHUCK (6-1) for trainer Whit Beckman with overdue, popular jockey Tyler Gaffalione. Good to see the former pair teaming up again.
Race 2 (1:08 p.m. ET/10:08 a.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 5½-furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a pair to close out DD: #3 HOT FRIES (7-2 morning line) for Asmussen-Santana duo, and #5 ANGEL OF KIRK (5-2) for tip-top Brad Cox barn with Flavien Prat riding. Two young coeds appear to be the best of the field.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 3,6/3,5. ($20)
Race 4 (2:14 p.m. ET/11:14 a.m. PT) — $125K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed is betting on a trio: #1 SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN (4-1 morning line) for trainer Horacio De Paz with Ricardo Santana up; longshot #6 ALAN TURING (10-1) for trainer Pat Quick, and #7 LIFE AND TIMES (7-2) for the Todd Pletcher barn with red-hot rider Jose Ortiz. Three for the money.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box ($30)
Race 5 (2:47 p.m. ET/11:47 a.m. PT) — $250K G2 CARESS STAKES for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up going 5½-furlongs on the turf
One more time, Mr. Ed is betting millionaire #1 ZEITLOS (4-1 morning line) to seal a deal for Steve Asmussen, who makes a big rider switch to hot Jose Ortiz and moves the mare back to turf.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 6 (3:21 p.m. ET/12:21 p.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT 2YO fillies going 5½-furlongs
Mr. Ed takes a shot with a trio: #2 CALL ME ROSIE (12-1 morning line) for low-profile trainer Orlando Noda with smiling Katie Davis riding; #6 UPTOWN ROSIE (6-1), named for trainer Joe Sharp’s wife, former jockey Rosie Naprovik. Popular Manny Franco rides. And #11 BEACH BELLE (6-1) for excellent trainer Whit Beckman with Tyler Gaffalione aboard for coed’s debut.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 7 (3:55 p.m. ET/12:55 p.m. PT) — $125K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & Up going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s betting his original Terrible Towel on the #4 YINZER (3-1 morning line) for Steve Asmussen to beat this bunch. Leading jockey Jose Ortiz knows how to ride expensive son of TWIRLING CANDY.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 9 (5:03 p.m. ET/2:03 p.m. PT) — $105K for NY-bred 3YOs and up going a mile from Wilson Chute
Mr. Ed’s pick is #2 TRICKY BUSINESS (2-1 morning line) with rider upgrade to Flavien Prat; gets blinkers for trainer George Weaver.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 10 (5:39 p.m. ET/2:39 p.m. PT) — $250K G2 BOWLING GREEN STAKES for 4YOs & up going 1⅜-miles on the turf
Mr. Ed’s VALUE PLAY OF DAY is crafty router and millionaire #5 CARSON’S RUN (10-1 morning line) for Miguel Clement with Joel Rosario up. He’s fully capable of springing an upset vs. a weak field.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)
Race 11 (6:15 p.m. ET/3:15 p.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for NY-bred 3YO & up going 1 1/16-mile on grass
Two out of three for the money: #5 KARSTEN (3-1 morning line) for Jorge Abreu with Flavien Prat riding; #6 BEFORE THE WIND (6-1) for savvy trainer Elizabeth Merryman on class drop with jockey Jaime Rodriguez returning, and #10 COACH RYAN (5-2) with Manny Franco riding for Chad Brown barn.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $175
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