Saratoga Picks for August 12:
HORSING AROUND AT THE SPA WITH MR. ED: If you’ve arrived here looking for a column long on prose and somewhat short on selections, you’ve come to the right place. Early results from the auditors indicate Mr. Ed may have bitten off more picks than he can possibly chew (see MONEY MACHINE results at bottom of page). Folks, Mr. Ed is determined to complete his money-making mission, so stick around and follow his selections here on VSiN between now and the end of the Saratoga meet on Labor Day.
THE ALIVE FIVE: A look at Saratoga’s Top 5 winningest jockeys about midway through the 2026 meet: 1. J. Ortiz (40) 2. F. Prat (38) 3. M. Franco (34) 4. I. Ortiz, Jr. (30) 5. R. Santana (18). Keep in mind that over the next three weeks several riders will be accepting out-of-town calls, especially on weekends. Note: Irad Ortiz, Jr., perennial leading jockey, is the rider highest on Mr. Ed’s WATCH LIST as he moves up in the standings.
TOP TRAINERS: Leading trainer standings after the first four weeks of the 2026 meet are: 1. C. Brown (20) 2. B. Cox (15) 3. L. Rice (15) 4. T. Pletcher (14) 5. M. Clement (10). Continue to keep an eye on Linda Rice and Steve Asmussen as their barns move up the leaderboard in the weeks ahead.
NEW HIT TV SHOW: Anyone around Mr. Ed’s ancient age might remember the comedy sitcom “Amos & Andy.” It featured an ensemble of characters exchanging barbs and insults. Mr. Ed encourages anyone who enjoys trackside humor to tune into today’s version, “Laffit (Pincay), Tom (former trainer) Amoss, and Andy Serling (NY handicapper) Show” on Fox Sports. Laffit is the cool, consummate host. Tom is a guy who declares he never bet on a horse he didn’t like. While Andy has never been wrong about anything from horse racing to popular culture to politics. The verbal jabs begin every day when Tom, sitting next to Andy, close enough to sucker punch his prey, expresses an opinion on anything contrary to Andy’s.
WEDNESDAY AT SARATOGA: Facing a dull eight-race (minus hurdles) program, Mr. Ed has dug himself into a deep, dark financial hole. He’ll challenge anyone to turn a profit in today’s meager offerings. First race (non-hurdle) post time is 1:48 p.m. ET/10:48 a.m. PT. With a chance of rain predicted, here are Mr. Ed’s fearless selections.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Selections for Wednesday, 8/12
Race 2 — $62K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 2YO fillies going 5½ furlongs
Mr. Ed will take a shot at a DD with #3 DREAM ABOUT (3-1 morning line) for always-sharp Al Stall, Jr. with savvy Kendrick Carmouche riding in debut effort, and #4 BUSINESS MATH (3-1) for trainer Steve Asmussen with Jose Ortiz riding. A pair of fast youngsters.
SARATOGA SELECTIONS: $5 Daily Double of 3,4/4.9. ($20)
Race 3 (2:22 p.m. ET/11:22 a.m. PT) — $62K MAIDEN CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 5½ furlongs on the grass
Mr. Ed likes either of a pair to capture DD: #4 R P BYRNE (3-1 morning line), import for Wesley Ward with Jaime Rodriguez riding; #9 SOLAIA (8-1) trained by Rob Atras with speedy Kendrick Carmouche up.
Race 4 (2:56 p.m. ET/11:56 a.m. PT) — $75K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 6½-furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #1 MICHIEVOUS M (4-1 morning line), trained by Ilkay Kantarmaci and ridden by local fav Manny Franco; #2 POWER ATTACK (6-1) for low-key Greg Sacco with high-profile rider Jose Ortiz in saddle, and #5 INEXORABLE (5-2), trained by Linda Rice and ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 1,2,5. ($30)
Race 5 (3:30 p.m ET/12:30 p.m. PT) — $55K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs and up, going 1 1/16-mile on the grass
Mr. Ed loves filly on the drop, #5 BRILLANTE (4-5), for Chad Brown with Manny Franco aboard.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win & $10 to Place. ($30)
Race 7 (4:38 p.m. ET/1:38 p.m. PT) — $115K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for NY-bred, 2YO fillies going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s PLAY OF THE DAY is #5 SHE’S FAST MONEY (6-1 morning line) for highly regarded, Upstate NY trainer Jeremiah Englehart with Irad Ortiz, Jr. riding. Powerful duo for Mr. Ed who can use all the fast money he can get.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win, $10 to Place. ($30)
Race 8 (5:12 p.m. ET/2:12 p.m. PT) — Mr. Ed likes these three: #1 AMERICAN PRAYERS (5-2 morning line) for trainer Bill Mott with Francisco Alvarado up; #2 HIDDEN ROSE (3-1) for trainer Miguel Clement with Tyler Gaffalione, and #7 SERAPHIA (7-2) for Steve Asmussen barn. Jose Ortiz rides.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 1,2,7. ($30)
Race 9 (5:46 p.m. ET/2:46 p.m. PT) — $71K MAIDEN CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going a mile on the grass
Mr. Ed likes #2 RESORT (6-1 morning line) for Mike Trombetta with Jose Ortiz on board. Look for deep closer right at finish line.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win & $10 Place. ($30)
COST OF TODAY’S PLAYS: $170
Mr. Ed’s MONEY MACHINE
(through Sunday, August 9, 2026)
TOTAL BETS (after scratches): $669.00
WON/LOSS: -$410.79
TOTAL RETURN: -$258.21
SPONSORED
VSiN: This is historic! 19-2 start to his WNBA Career. AUGUST YOUNG from Doc’s Sports has now delivered 14 straight premium WNBA winners! His complete record stands at 19-2—a 91% win rate—for +6,730 in documented profit.
Review every play and result here.
New members can also get started with a free $60 account here.
