Saratoga Picks for July 16:
HORSING AROUND WITH MR. ED
(legend: donut=winner, bagel=loser)
No one enjoys a couple of Krispy Kreme glazed donuts with a cup of coffee on the way to the track more than Mr. Ed. And, no one agonizes more than Mr. Ed after serving up a bag of bagels with egg on his face for pitching a multi-race shutout at the windows. Thus is the life of a public handicapper. For followers who swallowed Mr. Ed’s bag of bagels last Sunday at Saratoga, you have his sincere condolences. Thank goodness everyone, including Mr. Ed, has had a few days to recover from the bagels. Now, join him as he gets back in the habit of serving up dollars for donuts.
THE ALIVE FIVE: A look at Saratoga’s jockey standings through the first eight of 46 racing days: 1. Prat (15) 2. J Ortiz (14) 3. Santana (7) 4. Franco (6) 5. Gaffalione (5). Keep in mind that over the next six weeks, several riders will be accepting out-of-town calls, especially on weekends. Also, note that perennial leader Irad Ortiz, Jr. has only ridden one day due to earlier suspensions. Changes are expected. Mr. Ed plans to update the standings every Wednesday.
THURSDAY AT SARATOGA: Hunting for donuts in the nine-race program proved a bit more difficult than Mr. Ed expected. Once he eliminated Race 1 for hurdles and weak Race 5 for NY-bred maidens, the pickings were slim. Stick with us, folks; over the remaining seven races, there are a few excellent chances to make some money. First post is 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT. Mostly sunny skies with a high in the mid-80s; FIRM & FAST conditions are expected.
Race 2 (1:48 p.m. ET/10:48 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for NY-bred 3YOs going a mile from the Wilson Shute
To begin a DD, Mr. Ed picks a pair: #4 IRISH GOODBYE (5-2 morning line), stretching out for Brad Cox, who retains popular Manny Franco for the ride; #5 ROADIE (6-1) from the Todd Pletcher barn, with late-arriving star jockey Irad Ortiz up.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 4,5/5,6. ($20)
Race 3 (2:22 p.m. ET/11:22 a.m. PT) — $45K STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 4YOs going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #5 TIZMARKUS (5-2 morning line), turning back for conditioner Jim Farraro, who brings back hot jockey Ricardo Santana, Jr., and #6 LUCKY DUDE (3-1) for out-of-town trainer John Kirby and popular rider Kendrick Carmouche.
Race 4 (2:56 p.m. ET/11:56 a.m. PT) — $75K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile on the grass
Mr. Ed is betting on two of three to score: #1 ARABIAN POWER (7-2 morning line) for Brad Cox barn with Irad Ortiz, Jr. returning to ride; #6 CHESTER BOY (3-1) for trainer Miguel Clement with rider upgrade to hot Manny Franco, and #9 FRANKLIN DELANO (5-2) for Todd Pletcher barn with HoF rider Johnny Velazquez.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 1,6,9. ($30)
Race 6 (4:04 p.m. ET/1:04 p.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
Mr. Ed’s pick is favorite #4 ATI GIRL (5-2 morning line) for the powerful duo of trainer Bill Mott and late-starting star rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. All of the last three were close, but no Cigar.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 7 (4:38 p.m. ET/1:38 p.m. PT) — $55K CLAIMING for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Three for the money: #2 ENGLISH LAW (7-2 morning line) for young trainer Will Walden with big rider upgrade to top-gun Flavien Prat; #6 VINTAGE VINO (4-1) trained by Linda Rice, with Irad Ortiz, Jr. up, and #7 CIRO DI MARZIO (5-2) for trainer Wesley Ward with sharp rider Junior Alvarado.
SARASOTA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 2,6,7. ($30)
Race 8 (5:12 p.m. ET/2:12 p.m. PT) — $78K STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs going a mile from the Wilson Shute
In the late DD, Mr. Ed likes #5 GETHSEMANE (4-1 morning line) for trainer Linda Rice and leading rider Jose Ortiz; and #6 MAX MONEY (7-2) for Michael Maker with sharp Ricardo Santana in the saddle.
SARATOGA SELECTION: Daily Double of 5,6/1,6. ($20)
Race 9 (5:46 p.m. ET/2:46 p.m. PT) — To successfully complete the late DD, Mr. Ed likes #1 INTOTHEWILDERNESS (4-1) for excellent NY trainer Charlton Baker with rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz, Jr., or #6 ROASTED REDS (3-1) for trainer Jorge Abreu with sharp jockey Flavien Prat.
TOTAL WAGERS: $120
FRIDAY AT SARATOGA: The day’s excellent 10-race card is headlined by R9 $150K DEL LA ROSE STAKES for fillies and mares going a mile on the turf. The Chad Brown stable sends out the favorite, #4 SANDTRAP (3-1 morning line) with leading jockey Flavien Prat aboard. Post time for the stakes is 5:45 p.m. ET/2:45 p.m. PT. Post time for the program is 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT with sunny skies and a high in the 80s expected. Mr. Ed will be on hand with his selections.
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