Saratoga Picks for June 3:
Some folks like to get away, take a holiday from the neighborhood,
Hop a flight to Miami Beach, or to Hollywood,
But I’m taking a Greyhound on the Hudson River Line,
I’m in a New York state of mind.
with thanks to Billy Joel
HORSING AROUND THE SPA WITH MR. ED: The last thing you hear upon exiting Saratoga Race Course is this classic tune. If you’ve ever been there, from that day forward, you’ll always associate the track and the song. Today, New York Champions Day at the Spa features only New York-breds over a 10-race program. To successfully handicap the card, it pays dividends to be familiar with the excellent NY State Breeders Assn. Alas, Mr. Ed is not. Nevertheless, he’s in a New York state of mind — and willing to give handicapping the tough card his very best. Post time for Race 1 is 12:35 p.m. ET/9:45 a.m. PT. Conditions are FAST & FIRM with sunny skies and a high near 80. Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s top selections.
Mr. Ed: Belmont at Saratoga for Wednesday, 6/03
Race 2 (1:11 p.m. ET/10:11 a.m. PT) — $200K BOUWERIE STAKES for 3YO NY-bred fillies going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a pair: #1 VENETTA (6-1 morning line) for one of his favorite trainers, Danny Gargan, with popular NY-based rider Kendrick Carmouche returning, and speedy #5 GALINDA (3-1) for trainer Miguel Clement with Jaime Rodriguez riding.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 1,5/3,4. ($20)
Race 3 (1:45 p.m. ET/10:45 a.m. PT) — $200K MOUNT VERNON STAKES for NY-bred fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the grass
Mr. Ed is betting on #3 AWESOME CZECH (9-5 morning line) for trainer Horacio De Paz with regular rider Ricardo Santana, Jr. She’s a true horse-for-course, winning 4 of 5 on Spa turf. And, #4 FIVE G (5-2) for savvy trainer George Weaver with HOF rider Johnny Velazquez aboard. More than capable of beating this group of gals.
Race 4 (2:19 p.m. ET/10:19 a.m. PT) — $200K KINGSTON STAKES for NY-bred 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY is lucky #7 SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS (5-2 morning line) for tip-top trainer Chad Brown with leading NY rider Manny Franco. Choice sports an 11-of-21 record and earnings in excess of $1.8 million, while often competing in Graded stakes company. Skies the limit!
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 5 (2:53 p.m. ET/11:53 a.m. PT) — $200K CRITICAL EYE STAKES for NY-bred fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1⅛ mile
Top trainer Wesley Ward sends out #3 LANDED (9-5 morning line) with Johnny V. returning to ride. If SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS can fly; this gal can land.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 6 (3:28 p.m. ET/12:28 p.m. PT) — $100K ALLOWANCE for NY fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going 5 ½ furlongs on the grass
Mr. Ed’s betting on two of three: #2 DANCING WITH DESTINY (8-1 morning line), for low-profile trainer Mike Dini with Kendrick Carmouche up; #3 LIGHTNING STRIKE (4-1) tries turf for Miguel Clement with Manny Franco, and #10 SACRED GODDESS (6-1) for excellent upstate NY trainer Jeremiah Englehart, who hires Jose Ortiz to ride.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 2,3,10. ($30)
Race 8 (4:38 p.m. ET/1:38 p.m. PT) — $1 PICK 3
R8: 1,6,8,9
R9: 6,7,9
R10: 1,4,7 ($36)
Race 9 (5:13 p.m. ET/2:13 p.m. PT) — $200K COMMENTATOR STAKES for NY-bred 3YOs going 1⅛ mile
Mr. Ed likes three for the money: #6 BANK FRENZY (7-2 morning line) for popular NY trainer Rudy Rodriguez with Manny Franco in irons; #7 IRON DOME (5-2) for winningest-all-time trainer Steve Asmussen with Jose Ortiz, Jr. riding, and #9 DONEGAL SURGES (4-1) for HOF trainer Todd Pletcher and Kendrick Carmouche.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $146
THURSDAY AT SARATOGA: As the week rolls along toward Saturday’s stellar Belmont Stakes and accompanying all-star card of graded stakes, each day’s program gets more attractive to the horseplayer. Headlining Thursday’s lineup is Race 10 $250K G2 BELMONT GOLD CUP, a 2-mile marathon for 4YOs & up. Elsewhere on the card are three additional stakes. Mr. Ed is licking his handicapping chops, folks. The racing keeps getting better and better. Mr. Ed returns tomorrow with his exclusive VSiN selections.
