Saratoga Picks for July 26:
NO 1. OBJECTIVE: CASHING $$$ TICKETS! Today marks the unofficial, original starting date for Saratoga’s annual Summer meet. Dates were added in mid-July to accommodate the rebuilding of Belmont Park, due to open next May. Rough equation: More dates = more horses needed to fill those races = reduced quality of racing. Thus, Mr. Ed, who has been somewhat disappointed in the caliber of racing over the “added” few weeks — as well as the results of his subpar handicapping —is delighted to have an opportunity to “restart” the meet. THE BOTTOM LINE: To prove his hypothesis, beginning Wednesday Mr. Ed plans daily to post, at the end of his column, these three numbers: $ BET, $ CASHED, $ WIN/LOST. He plans to display these numbers each day through the end of the meet on Labor Day, so that the VSiN player can easily track the profitability of his play.
HORSING AROUND ON SATURDAY & SUNDAY AT THE SPA: In spite of all the chalk, Saturday afternoon was one of the most exciting days at the Spa in recent memory. Top-of-the-world jockey, barely in the Top 5 at the Spa (until now), Irad Ortiz Jr. booted home a half-dozen winners as he continues his relentless climb toward the Top. However, his extraordinary performance may have been exceeded by Flavien Prat’s stretch spill and miraculous recovery in Race 6. Note: he recovered to win Race 7. And Irad’s younger brother, Jose, had three victories himself. As for trainers, the red-hot Horacio De Paz barn had its fifth winner of 10 starts at the meet. At the windows, the average $2 Win ticket returned a chalky $10.99. Looking ahead to Sunday, Race 1 post time is 1:10 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. While tracks are expected to be FAST & FIRM, cloudy skies and low-80s temperatures are expected. Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s rather conservative Sunday picks.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Selections for Sunday, 7/26
Race 1 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
It’s about time Wesley Ward’s barn of youngsters begins to assert itself. No better time than today, says Mr. Ed. His pick is the $1 million son of CONSTITUTION, #6 SHOWA (3-1 morning line) with Irad Ortiz, Jr. up.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 3 (2:20 p.m. ET/11:20 a.m. PT) — $78K STARTER ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up
Mr. Ed likes #2 DON’T BE SALTY (3-1 morning line) for low-profile Kinnon LaRose outfit with hard-charging, ace rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the irons. Should be near the front early as coed stretches out. Pass the pepper, please.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 4 (2:55 p.m. ET/11:55 a.m. PT) — $76K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going a mile (Wilson Shute)
Gelded old pro #3 EMIRATES ROAD (5-2 morning line) on drop is even-older pro Mr. Ed’s pick for excellent trainer Mike Maker with leading rider, Flavien Prat, climbing aboard for the first time. It all adds up.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 5 (3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT) — $105K ALLOWANCE for NY-bred, 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the inner turf
Mr. Ed likes #9 MARVELOUS MADISON (7-2 morning line) for hot Jorge Abreu outfit attracting current meet leading rider Flavien Prat. Pitch last as stretch out will do gelding good. Isn’t he marvelous?
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 6 (4:06 p.m. ET/1:06 p.m. PT) — $62K MAIDEN CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs and up, going 1 1/16-mile on the grass
Mr. Ed is betting on second-consecutive MM (see above) winner, #2 MAJESTIC MOONLIGHT (6-1 morning line) for hard-charging Irad Ortiz, Jr. and savvy conditioner Jorge Abreu.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 To Win. ($10)
Race 7 (4:39 p.m. ET/1:39 p.m. PT) — $78K STARTER ALLOWANCE for 3YOs going 7 furlongs
Trainer Al Stall, Jr. sends out Mr. Ed’s pick, #7 SOUTH BEND TOM (9-2 morning line) seeking third-time win as gelding turns back after losing mile effort in last. Iron Man (forever after yesterday’s tumble down Stretch), Flavien Prat will be on board.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $1 PICK 4*
R7: 3,6,7
R8: 6
R9: 2,4,5,8
R10: 4,7,9,10 ($48)
*In the event of a scratch, substitute pick is post-time favorite.
Race 8 (5:12 p.m. ET/2:12 p.m. PT) — $250K G2 HONORABLE MISS for fillies and mares, 4YOs going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed won’t try to beat odds-on #6 GRAND JOB (1-2 morning line) for Mott-Alvarado. ‘Nuf said.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $30 to Win. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $148
NOTE: Mr. Ed will return on Wednesday with his exclusive Saratoga VSiN selections. And, remember, a bad day at the track beats your best day anywhere else.
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