Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks:
Mr. Ed’s Best Bets at Saratoga for Friday, August 16
TRACKING MR. ED: I have no good news to report. Not only was Mr. Ed shut out on his Saratoga picks, but he even got the weather forecast wrong as a mid-card shower washed the final two races off the turf. The best I can do is put Thursday behind me and look ahead to a far superior yet challenging 11-race card today. To put a cap on Thursday, two riders, HOFer Johnny Velazquez and the other Ortiz bro, Jose, each had a pair of winners. As for trainers,10 different conditioners won races. And the average $2 Win ticket returned $12.17.
FRIDAY AT THE SPA: The $200K Skidmore Stakes (Race 2) for 2YOs headlines the 11-race card. Once again, nothing but blue skies and abundant sunshine are in the forecast. Note to those planning a day at the track: Be sure to pack an umbrella! First race post time is 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT. Here are Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections:
Mr. Ed’s Best Bets at Saratoga for Friday, August 16
Race 1 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $60K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up going a mile
Mr. Ed likes #6 TRADE SECRET (6-1 morning line) as she moves up in class off the claim for Rudy Rodriquez with Jose Ortiz picking up the mount. I also like #7 PRETTI XTREME (2-1) for trainer Linda Rice, who brings back surprisingly sharp Dylan Davis to ride.
Race 2 (1:41 p.m. ET/10:41 a.m. PT) — $150K SKIDMORE STAKES for 2YOs going 5 ½ furlongs on turf
To complete the early Daily Double, I like #3 GOVERNOR SAM (7-5 morning line) for trainer George Weaver and excellent young rider Tyler Gaffalione, and #6 RAISE THE BAR (9-5) for turf master Wesley Ward with Johnny Velazquez riding.
SARATOGA PICK: $5 Daily Double of 6,7/3,6. ($20)
Race 3 (2:13 p.m. ET/11:13 a.m. PT) — $95K ALLOWANCE for NY-bred 3YOs & up going 6 ½ furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #4 TOSCANO (3-1 morning line) for infrequent Spa visitor Larry Rivelli. He hires Jose Ortiz to replace brother Irad, who is under suspension. Pitch last race, and with either Ortiz aboard, the gelding has the look of a winner.
SARATOGA PICK: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:45 p.m. ET/11:45 a.m. PT) — $45K CLAIMING for 3YOs going a mile
I like four: #1 DUNE ROAD & #1A CHALKY CAT (both 7-2 morning line) with Kendrick Carmouche & Jose Lezcano, respectively, aboard, #5 WHISKEY N SODA (2-1) with hot Dylan Davis aboard, and #6 FRIZZANTE (9-2) with Frankie Dettori in the irons.
SARATOGA PICK: $5 Exacta box. ($30)
Race 8 (4:59 p.m. ET/1:59 p.m. PT) — $115K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going a mile
Mr. Ed likes long shot #9 QUARREL (8-1 morning line) for veteran trainer Bobby Ribaudo and HOF jockey Javier Castellano. The team knows how to spring a surprise at least once a summer at Spa. Well-tested filly cuts back to a mile. A born fighter.
SARATOGA LONG SHOT BET: #5 Win & Place. ($10)
Race 9 (5:35 p.m. ET/2:35 p.m. PT) — $125K UNION AVENUE HANDICAP for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed is betting on #4 TRICKY TEMPER (4-1 morning line) for excellent upstate NY conditioner Jeremiah Englehart, who, in the absence of Irad Ortiz Jr., attracts sharp Flavien Prat to ride.
SARATOGA PICK: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 10 (6:09 p.m. ET/3:09 p.m. PT) $110K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YO fillies going 1 1/16-mile on turf
Mr. Ed believes #10 MIXOLOGIST (5-1 morning line) has all the necessary ingredients for a victory: trained by Brad Cox, ridden by Joel Rosario, and favorable outside post. I’ll drink to that.
SARATOGA BEST BET: $10 to Win & $5 Daily Doubles with 1,3,10 in finale. ($25)
Race 11 (6:42 p.m. ET/3:42 p.m. PT) — $55K MAIDEN CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up at 1 1/16-mile on turf
I like three together and to complete Daily Double: #1 PHILLY’S FINEST (5-2 morning line) for Clement-Gaffalione team; #3 CAPO DONNA (8-1) for Handal-D. Davis duo, and #10 OUR FINEST HOUR (4-1) for Maker-Franco coupling.
SARATOGA PICKS: $5 Exacta box & Daily Doubles with 10 in Race 10. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $135
SATURDAY AT THE SPA: Fans can celebrate the return of Irad Ortiz Jr. after his three-day suspension handed down by the stewards. Irad has mounts in all 12 contests. I make him 4-1 to chalk up at least three victories. Topping the excellent betting card are a pair of stakes for 3YO fillies, The G2 $200K Lake Placid (Race 9) and The G1 $600K Alabama (Race 10).
