Saratoga Picks for August 16:
HORSING AROUND WITH MR. ED: On the chalkiest day of the meet thus far, with an average $2 Win ticket returning $8.05, trainer cool Linda Rice finally caught fire with five wins, while leading rider Jose Ortiz recorded three trips to the Winner’s Circle. Even Mr. Ed got caught up in the frenzy of favorites with a pair of wins. However, his mythical Money Machine (see below) has much ground to make up if he’s to finish the meet in the black.
SUNDAY AT SARATOGA: The 10-race card is highlighted by R9 G3 $225K MAHONY STAKES, a 5 ½-furlongs turf sprint for 3YOs. The remainder of the card is an excellent mix of allowance, claiming and maiden contests. First race goes to post at 1:10 p.m. ET/10.10 a.m. PT. There is a 30% chance of showers with a high around 80. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive picks for VSiN.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Sunday, 08/16
Race 2 (1:49 p.m. ET/10:49 a.m. PT) — $105K ALLOWANCE for NY-bred 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
Mr. Ed likes either of a pair to kick off a DD: #2 WILLPOWERED (4-1 morning) for first-class team of Miguel Clement and Flavien Prat, and #5 CARC BROTHERS (4-5) for Rob Atras and Manny Franco.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 2,5/1,5. ($20)
Race 3 (2:24 p.m. ET/11:24 a.m. PT) — $125K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes either: #1 LIMES DON’T LIE (5-2 morning line) for Chad Brown stable with Flavien Prat riding; and #5 NEXT ON STAGE (2-1) for owner and trainer Linda Rice with Manny Franco up.
Race 4 (3:03 p.m. ET/12:03 p.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 1 1/16-mile on the grass
Mr. Ed is betting on three: #5 REAL RESTRAINT (7-2 morning line) for savvy trainer Brendan Walsh with Tyler Gaffalione riding; #9 GREENWELL (5-2) for excellent horseman Mark Casse with leading jockey Jose Ortiz, and #11 WARRIOR AT HEART (12-1) for Whit Beckman with Gaffalione named to ride.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 5,9,11. ($30)
Race 5 (3:38 p.m. ET/12:38 p.m. PT) — $42K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #1 DUCKY MEDWICK (7-2 morning line), named for ‘30s HoF baseball star, conditioned by overdue Chad Summers. Newly gelded speedster turns back and gets Lasix. Mr. Ed is a fan.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 6 (4:17 p.m. ET/1:17 p.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 1 1/16-mile on the grass
It’s no secret that Mr. Ed likes #7 CASINO (6-1 morning line) for Canadian HoF trainer Mark Casse, who brings back Johnny V. following a lackluster debut. Mr. Ed rolls the dice with expensive son of Constitution.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (4:52 p.m. ET/1:52 p.m. PT) — $41K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s money is on #8 TURBO LAUNCH (5-1 morning line) for powerful Linda Rice-Manny Franco duo. Loaded Rice barn showing signs of life. Don’t discount anything she sends out for the rest of the meet. SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 9 (6:06 p.m. ET/3:06 p.m. PT) — $225K G3 MAHONY STAKES for 3YOs going 5½-furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #2 OUTFIELDER (1-1 morning line) for Wesley Ward with Johnny V. returning to the saddle; #3 OSCAR’S HOPE (8-1) for impressive new trainer Kinnon LaRose with Junior Alvarado returning to ride, and #7 STRADLE (8-1) for Steve Asmussen with leading jockey Jose Ortiz riding.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 2,3,7. & $5 Daily Double of 2,3,7/2,4. ($45)
Race 10 (6:41 p.m. ET/3:41 p.m. PT) — $45K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 6½-furlongs
To close out late Daily Double, Mr. Ed likes another Linda Rice trainee, #2 PROJECTABILITY (5-2 morning line) with Ricardo Santana riding and #4 FARM TEAM (6-1) for hot Kantarmaci team with Silvestri Gonzalez up.
TODAY’S TOTAL WAGERS: $135
Mr. Ed’s MONEY MACHINE
(through Saturday, August 15, 2026)
TOTAL BETS: (after scratches): $1065.00
TICKETS CASHED: -$546.29
PROFIT/LOSS: -$518.71
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