Saratoga Picks for August 19:
THE ALIVE FIVE: A look at Saratoga’s Top 5 winningest jockeys through August 17, 2026: 1. J. Ortiz (56) 2. M. Franco (43) 3. F. Prat (40) 4. I. Ortiz, Jr. (30) 5. R. Santana (22). Irad Ortiz is scheduled to return to riding on Saturday following two weeks off due to an injury. Capturing the leading rider trophy is far too much to ask of arguably the nation’s best jockey. However, watch him ride. Hell bent for leather chasing his younger brother, who is having the best year of his career. FYI: Rice has five entered in the first five races today.
TOP TRAINERS: Leading trainer standings after the first four weeks of the 2026 meet are: 1. C. Brown (26) 2. L. Rice (23) 3. B. Cox (17) 4. T. Pletcher (15) 5. S. Asmussen (12). Continue to keep a keen eye on Linda Rice. Her barn is locked and loaded. And expect Asmussen’s stable to move up in the standings. He knows how to play the meet-long standings game.
WEDNESDAY AT SARATOGA: It’s a chalk-eating weasel’s dream. The majority of Mr. Ed’s picks center around perennial stars Linda Rice and Jose Ortiz. Today’s first race post time is 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT. There’s a 40% chance of showers with a high around 80. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN picks.
Race 1 — $59K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a chalky, early DD: #3 SNIDE (3-1 morning line) turning back for hot Linda Rice barn with go-to rider Kendrick Carmouche returning. Mr. Ed sides with SNIDE.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 Daily Double of 3-6. ($10)
Race 2 (1:45 p.m. ET/10:45 a.m. PT) — $125K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going a mile (Wilson Shute)
To hit the early DD, Mr. Ed likes expensive son of Justify, #6 PRONGHORN (8-5 morning line), who ships in from Oaklawn Park for crafty Asmussen barn. Rider upgrade to Jose Ortiz.
Race 3 (2:20 p.m. ET/11:20 a.m. PT) —$78K STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YO fillies going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s betting on #6 L’ECLAIR (3-1 morning line) for trainer Dick Dutrow, who picks up Jose Ortiz as pilot.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:55 p.m. ET/11:55 a.m. PT) — $65K STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 4YOs & up
Mr. Ed’s pick is #7 GARDINER (8-5 morning line) from well-stocked Joe Sharp barn, returning off a voided claim as Jose Ortiz returns to ride.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 5 (3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for NY-bred 3YOs going 5½-furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #2 ENGRAVED (6-1 morning line) making first start for trainer Linda Rice; #3 SULTAN HASSAN (3-1) for team of Horacio De Paz and Flavien Prat, and #6 TRUE LEGEND (7-2) for George Weaver with Manny Franco up. Two for the money.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 6 (4:05 p.m. ET/1:05 p.m. PT) — $78K STARTER ALLOWANCE for 3YOs going 7 furlongs
Anything trainer Al Stall, Jr. sends out captures Mr. Ed’s attention. Today it’s #5 SOUTH BEND TOM (9-2 morning line) with Flavien Prat up. Look for this late runner to beat this crew.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 7 (4:40 p.m. ET/1:40 p.m. PT) — $150K STATUE OF LIBERTY STAKES for NY-bred 3YOs going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s betting on a pair in the first leg of late DD: #4 COMBAT MOVE (5-2 morning line) for Linda Rice with Jose Ortiz, or #7 SHE’S COUNTRY (2-1) favorite for trainer George Weaver with Manny Franco aboard.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 4,7/3,9. ($20)
Race 8 (5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT) — $56K MAIDEN CLAIMING for NY-bred 3YOs going 1 1/16-mile on the grass
Mr. Ed’s picks are #3 PAULA’S CHOICE (5-2 morning line) for rather-quiet trainer Jonathan Thomas with Jose Ortiz; or #9 TWO CHICKS (4-1) for trainer Bruce Levine with HoF rider Javier Castellano.
TODAY’S TOTAL WAGERS: $100
MR. ED’S MONEY MACHINE
(through Sunday, August 16, 2026)
TOTAL BETS: (after scratches): $1,200.00
TICKETS CASHED: $1,234.89
PROFIT/LOSS: +$34.89
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