Saratoga Picks for July 12:
JOCKEYING FOR THE RIDING TITLE: Based on the highly competitive Leading Rider contest shaping up after the first eight of 46 days of the current Saratoga meet, every Wednesday Mr. Ed will be offering his unique insights and observations into the jockeying for position as the season unfolds. As it appears now, the Ortiz Bros., Flavien Prat, Manny Franco and Tyler Gaffalione are the ALIVE FIVE. Even though he has yet to win a race at the meet, one can never count Irad Ortiz, Jr. Mr. Ed will return Wednesday with the first official standings.
HORSING AROUND WITH MR. ED: Two leading headlines from Saturday included jockey Flavien Prat booting home four winners and the Pick 6 carryover of more than $166K. Turning to Sunday’s nine-race card, with a first post of 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT, track conditions are expected to be FAST & FIRM under clear skies. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN picks.
Mr. Ed’s Selections for Sunday, 7/12
Race 1 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for NY-bred, 2YOs going 5½-furlongs
Mr. Ed will take an early shot with a straight DD: #5 HAMMERIN HENRY (7-2 morning line) for Brad Cox barn and Irad Ortiz, Jr., making his belated meet debut.
SARATOGA SELECTIONS: $10 Daily Double of 5-8. ($10)
Race 2 (1:44 p.m. ET/10:44 a.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1½-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes #8 SCARLETT’S HALO (4-1 morning line) for Chad Brown with Tyler Gaffalione riding deep closer.
Race 3 (2:19 p.m. ET/11:19 a.m. PT) — $43K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s VALUE PLAY OF THE DAY is #7 CALLING AN AUDIBLE (10-1 morning line) for small-barn trainer Eddie Barker with rider change to Katie Davis making debut on 5YO mare. She needs to get into the mix early.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)
Race 4 (2:54 p.m. ET/11:54 a.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes Irad Ortiz, Jr. on expensive #11 AND THE RUNNER IS (5-1 morning line) making debut on grass for HoF trainer Mark Casse.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 5 (3:29 p.m. ET/12:39 p.m. PT) — $62K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 5½-furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed likes two of three for the money: Irad Ortiz, Jr. on #2 PULLING THREADS (6-1 morning line) for savvy NY trainer Linda Rice with Flavien Prat, #3 GRACE OF MONACO (12-1) for always sharp Danny Gargan barn, and #9 LOTS OF KISSES (7-2) for overdue Mike Maker with Tyler Gaffalione on board.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 2,3,9. ($30)
Race 6 (4:04 p.m. ET/1:04 p.m. PT) — $125K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 6½-furlongs
Another trio for Mr. Ed: #4 STRONG STATE for Al Stall, Jr. with big rider switch to Flavien Prat; #5 SING A LITTLE SONG (10-1) for Rob Atras with returning rider Irad Ortiz, Jr., #7 ALYESKA (9-5), improving coed for Chad Brown barn with leading rider Jose Ortiz.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 4,5,7. ($30)
Race 7 (4:39 p.m. ET/1:39 p.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for NY-bred 2YOs going 6½ furlongs
Mr. Ed’s willing to forgive #1 BANKER BULL (6-1 morning line) for his debut flop as trainer Amelia Green replaces Jose Ortiz with up-and-comer Jaime Rodriguez in the saddle. Mr. Ed’s on this banker.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 8 (5:14 p.m. ET/2:14 p.m. PT) — $78K STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile on the grass
To close out the action Mr. Ed likes: #6 HIGHLANDS WAY (6-1 morning line) for savvy duo of Todd Pletcher and Flavien Prat, and first-time gelding #10 HIGH BETA (7-2) for Chad Brown with Irad Ortiz, Jr. returning. Sky-high pairing.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 6,10/4,5. ($20)
Race 9 (5:49 p.m. ET/2:49 p.m. PT) — $56K MAIDEN CLAIMING for NY-bred 3YOs & up going 5½- furlongs on the turf
To complete the DD, Mr. Ed likes either of two: #4 BOOM SHOCKA BOOM (6-1 morning line) for speed-master Wesley Ward with Jaime Rodriguez returning after dull debut, and #5 DOWN THE FIELD (6-1) for trainer Linda Rice with Irad Ortiz, Jr. up.
TOTAL WAGERS: $125
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