Saratoga Picks for July 9:
HORSING AROUND WITH MR. ED: Long ago and far away on Saturday mornings in August in the parking lot of a famous restaurant called Siro’s, next to the renowned Saratoga Race Course, a 40-something occasional horseplayer (aka Mr. Ed) earned his merit badge in handicapping. He was there for a free seminar sponsored by the DRF, hosted by Harvey Pack of the NYRA, featuring a pair of superstar handicappers: Steven Christ, formerly of the New York Times, and Andy Beyer of the Washington Post. Over the years, by attending these weekly hour-long seminars, Mr. Ed learned more than he could possibly imagine or retain, i.e., how to use Beyer Speed Figures, how to read Thoroughbred Times, and understand PP charts in the Daily Racing Form, etc. Picture a boomer Little Leaguer at a batting seminar featuring Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle. Bottom line: to paraphrase the late, great Pack, “May the horse be with you (all).”
SARATOGA TOP JOCKEYS & TRAINERS: After three of 46 race days, Jose Ortiz and Flavien Prat are the leading riders with six wins apiece, followed by HoFer Johnny Velasquez and Spa rookie Jamie Rodriguez with three each. Trainer Chad Brown with three wins, and HoFer Mark Casse with two, lead all conditioners. Make Note: Perennial top jockeys Irad Ortiz, Jr. and Luis Saez have yet to ride due to ongoing suspensions. And, going forward, keep an eye on Rodriguez. He’s picking up quick mounts from savvy barns. He’s a winner.
TRACKING MR. ED: Mr. Ed recalls when the annual Saratoga race meet consisted of 35 days, when each day’s program resembled a high-quality Saturday card with at least one graded stakes, a few first-class allowances and at least one Maiden Special Weight contest for budding 2YOs. With the meet expansion to 46 days, what you see (today’s mediocre program) is all you get — no stakes, few allowances and a fistful of claimers. The NYRA says once the NEW, reborn Belmont opens, it intends to return to the 36-day format. Mr. Ed is skeptical (as usual). A close look at today’s nine-race card could make the very best of handicappers cringe. With first post at 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT, here are Mr. Ed’s best efforts to find winners. Welcome to CHALK CITY.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Selections for Thursday
Race 1 — $59K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going a mile
Mr. Ed likes either of these two to capture the first leg of a DD: #1 SNIDE (2-1 morning line) for belle of NY trainers Linda Rice with Jose Lezcano riding, or #6 BOW DRAW (9-2) for Steve Asmussen with rider upgrade to Jose Ortiz.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 1,6/3,6. ($20)
Race 2 (1:44 p.m. ET/10:44 a.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 5½-furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed’s picks to complete DD are: #3 JUST A HOLIDAY (9-2 morning line) for Wesley Ward with rider Dylan Davis; or #6 GENERATIONAL (5-2) for Steve Asmussen with rider switch from son Erik to Flavien Prat. Either of two for the money.
Race 3 (2:18 p.m. ET/11:18 a.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 6½-furlongs
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY is #5 COLD SPELL (2-5 morning line) for top juvenile trainer Wesley Ward with HoF jockey Johnny V. returning. Third start’s a charm for speedy son of Gun Runner. It’s never too early to hit another DD.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 Daily Double of 5/4. ($20).
Race 4 (2:52 p.m. ET/11:52 a.m. PT) — $42K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going a mile
To complete the day’s second DD, Mr. Ed likes #4 MARGARITA MOLLY (3-1 morning line) with jockey switch to sharp Flavien Prat. Series of bullet works for trainer Keri Brion seals the deal. Two for the money.
Race 5 (3:26 p.m. ET/12:26 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going a mile
Mr. Ed’s pick is #3 SOARING HIGH (1-1 morning line) for popular trainer Cherie DeVaux with Jose Ortiz up. Daughter of Curlin is odds-on favorite.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 6 (4:01 p.m. ET/1:01 p.m. PT) — $125K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies and mares going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s betting on a trio: #1 QUEEN OF HAWAII (9-2 morning line), Irish import for trainer Phil Antonacci with Jose Ortiz in the saddle; #2 PLAY WITH FIRE (3-1) for always-tough Chad Brown barn with rider Flavien Prat returning, and #7 OPULENT RESTRAINT (7-2) with new jockey Johnny Velazquez for trainer Bill Mott.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 7 (4:36 p.m. ET/1:36 p.m. PT) — $52K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s pick is #9 RED STATE (7-5 morning line), class-dropper for trainer Michael Maker with Ricardo Santana, Jr. going for third win aboard 5YO. Time for No. 3.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win.
Race 9 (5:46 p.m. ET/2:46 p.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16- mile on the inner turf
Mr. Ed’s VALUE PLAY OF DAY is #4 DEMOCRACY DEFENDER (8-1 morning line) for trainer Jorge Abreu with Jose Ortiz returning to ride. First trip on Saratoga sod worth an across-the-board wager.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)
TOTAL WAGERS: $105
FRIDAY AT SARATOGA: The 10-race program appears to be a wide-open affair, highlighted by the $225K G3 VICTORY RIDE STAKES for 3YO fillies (Race 9 at 5:40 p.m. ET/2:40 p.m. PT) with 10 entries. The rest of the card is an excellent mix of allowance, maiden and claiming contests bound to test the abilities of even the most seasoned handicapper. First post is set for 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT. The forecast calls for a 60% chance of showers with a high in the 80s.
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