Saratoga Picks for June 4:
TRACKING MR. ED: The headline of Wednesday’s opener of the Belmont at Saratoga Racing Festival was the $41,309 Pick 6 payoff. Individual standouts were low-profile trainer Dick Dutrow and jockey Jaime Rodriquez, each with a pair of trips to the Winner’s Circle. No other conditioner or rider had more than a single win. At the windows, the average $2 win ticket returned $11.70. After scratches, with the exception of the first race, Mr. Ed had a dismal afternoon, but is excited by the prospect of outstanding racing ahead through Sunday, especially the Belmont Stakes on Saturday.
HORSING AROUND: Thursday’s program offers something for everyone. Mr. Ed found a chalky Early Daily Double play; a reasonably priced Late Pick 4 worth pursuing and a few exotic bets he’ll chase. After studying all the PPs, Mr. Ed was astounded by the number of rides with the seemingly ageless Johnny Velazquez listed to ride. No jockey in his lifetime has consistently given honest rides than HOFer Johnny V. Cherie DeVaux may have won the Kentucky Derby, but Linda Rice has won a leading trainer title at Saratoga. Pitch her horses at your own risk. Looks as if Thursday’s weather will be partly sunny with a high in the mid-80s with FAST & FIRM track conditions. Post time for Race 1 is 12:35 p.m. ET/9:35 a.m. PT. Here are Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections.
Mr. Ed’s Belmont at Saratoga Picks for Thursday, 6/04
Race 1 — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 5½ furlongs
Mr. Ed’s first bet is a DD. He likes a pair in the first leg: #5 MINDEE’S WORLD (5-1 morning line) for excellent NY trainer Jeremiah Englehart with sharp rider Kendrick Carmouche, and #6 MARGIE’S GIRL (3-1) with top rider Jose Ortiz for savvy trainer Kenny McPeek.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 5,6/1,6. ($20)
Race 2 (1:07 p.m. ET/10:07 a.m. PT) — $175K JERSEY GIRL STAKES for 3YO fillies going 6 furlongs
To complete the DD, Mr. Ed likes a pair: #1 CARMEL COAST (5-2 morning line) for up-and-running trainer Whit Beckman with Tyler Gaffalione, seeking a repeat of May 1 win at Churchill; and #6 MYTHICAL (1-1), winner of seven of nine, for trainer Jorge Delgado, who brings Edgard Zayas along from Gulfstream for the ride. What’s not to like?
Race 3 (1:40 p.m. ET/10:40 a.m. PT) — $300K G3 PENNINE RIDGE for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #1 BOTTAS (7-2 morning line) for young Miguel Clement with top NY jockey Manny Franco. Won G2 Pilgrim, before setback in G1 BC Juvenile Turf; #8 GLAVINE (4-1) for Tom Morley with Johnny Velazquez retaining mount. Has Place over course; #9 WEST END KID (9-5) for young Will Walden with rider Tyler Gaffalione returning. Deserving favorite.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 1,8,9. ($30)
Race 4 (2:13 p.m. ET/11:13 a.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF DAY is promising coed #6 DIRECTIVE (4-5 morning line), daughter of Gun Runner, for top trainer Chad Brown, who upgrades rider to always-sharp Flavien Prat. Winner of last in mud by 7½ widening lengths. She should handle extra distance with ease.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 5 (2:46 p.m. ET/11:46 a.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares going 5½-furlongs on the grass
Mr. Ed’s salutes second-time starter #11 FLORIDA PATRIOT (5-2 morning line) for NY trainer Tom Morley, who retains Ricardo Santana, Jr. after neck loss in debut at BAQ. Morley has excellent stats under similar circumstances.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 6 (3:19 p.m. ET/12:19 p.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
Loss by a head in muddy debut, #3 CARELESS WHISPER (7-2 morning line) is trained by George Weaver and ridden by crafty Manny Franco. Looking for fast break, faster close.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Races 8-11 (4:27 p.m ET/1:27 p.m. PT) — $.50 Pick 4*
R8: 3,6,7
R9: 2,8
R10: 2,3,7
R11:1,2,6 ($27)
(Note: *In the event of a scratch, the post time favorite is the substitute selection.)
Race 8 (4:27 p.m. PT/1:27 p.m. ET) — $250K G2 INTERCONTINENTAL STAKES for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up going 5½-furlongs on the grass
Mr. Ed’s pick is #3 IN OUR TIME (3-1 morning line) for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. with Flavien Prat returning to saddle after winning effort in last. Mr. Ed also likes #6 TIME TO DAZZLE (8-1) and #7 GRATEFULLY (4-1) to get up for a piece.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & $5 Exacta Boxes. ($40)
Race 10 (5:36 p.m. ET/2:36 p.m. PT) — $250K G2 BELMONT GOLD CUP for 4YOs & up going 2 miles on the turf
Mr. Ed continues to have faith in #3 TAWNY PORT (3-1 morning line), trained by Miguel Clement with rider upgrade to Flavien Prat. The extra distance is just what this old guy needs to get back to Winner’s Circle and add to his $2 million in earnings.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $177
Get DRF’s Complete Belmont Stakes Betting Package with PPs, Clocker Reports & Expert Picks
