Saratoga Picks for August 20:
HORSING AROUND WITH MR. ED: Wednesday turned out to be a decent day of racing in spite of the compact, eight-race card. Manny Franco (three wins) and leader Jose Ortiz (two wins) topped the jockey standings. Low-profile Kentucky trainer Steve Schauer had a pair of scores. As for Mr. Ed, he squeezed out a small profit by hitting an exacta. The average $2 win ticket returned a little more than $10. On to tomorrow.
THURSDAY AT SARATOGA: Another dull, eight-race card, highlighted by a restricted NY stakes, is the best the Spa could offer as the meet heads into the Alabama Stakes and Travers Stakes weekends. In addition to the lone NY-bred stakes, the program features a smattering of maiden, claiming and cheap allowance contests. First post is 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT. The forecast calls for a high in the upper 70s with a 60% chance of rain. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s picks.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Thursday, 8/20
Race 1 — $41K MAIDEN CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOS and up going a mile from the Wilson Shute
Mr. Ed likes two to kick off the early DD: Owner and trainer Linda Rice sends out #6 OATH (9-5 morning line) with Manny Franco. Pitch last, big rider upgrade. And #7 READY ROSIE JANE (4-1), who hopes to spring an upset for the team of Nick Zito and Katie Davis, who had a winner last week.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 6,7/6,8. ($20)
Race 2 (1:44 p.m. ET/10:44 a.m. PT) — $58K CLAIMING for 3YOs and up going 5½-furlongs on the turf
To successfully complete the DD, Mr. Ed picks #6 LIGHT FANTASTIC (3-1 morning line) for Brad Cox barn with Manny Franco riding; and #8 TAMINO (7-2) for upstart trainer Kinnon LaRose, who switches riders to Kendrick Carmouche.
Race 5 (3:29 p.m. ET/12:29 p.m. PT) — $62K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs going 5½-furlongs on the grass
Mr. Ed singles #3 OLIGARCH (5-1 morning line) for outside connections of trainer John Pregman and rider Edgard Zayas. Skip last, either of two before would handle these.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 6 (4:04 p.m. ET/1:04 p.m. PT) —$110K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for KY-bred fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going a mile from the Wilson Shute
Mr. Ed’s VALUE PLAY OF DAY is #5 GIANT AT WORK (10-1 morning line) from respected Charlton Baker barn who hires Katie Davis to ride. Looking for team to tough it out to victory.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)
Race 7 (4:39 p.m. ET/1:39 p.m. PT) — $150K CAB CALLOWAY STAKES for 3YO NY-breds going a mile on the grass
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #3 A LITTLE AT FIRST (3-1 morning line) for excellent Horacio De Paz barn with jockey Javier Castellano; #7 JAXER (5-2) for trainer Graham Motion and jockey Flavien Prat, and Kendrick Carmouche riding for low-profile trainer Paul Barrow with undefeated, yet untested #8 NESSUNA PAGINA (4-1).
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 3,7,8. ($30)
Race 8 (5:14 p.m. ET/2:14 p.m. PT) — $78K STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 5½ furlongs on the grass
Mr. Ed’s PICK OF THE DAY is #2 SHE’S GOT WILL (3-1 morning line) for all-star team of trainer Brad Cox and sharp rider Manny Franco in first off claim. Both know how to win.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20).
THURSDAY’S TOTAL WAGERS: $105
MR. ED’s MONEY MACHINE
(through Wednesday, August 19, 2026)
TOTAL BETS: (after scratches): $1,240.00
TICKETS CASHED: $1,335.89
PR0FIT/LOSS: +$95.89
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