Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Friday, July 18:
TRACKING MR. ED: Day 6 of the Spa meet, the Bros. Ortiz each had a pair of winners, while none of the winning trainers were able to score more than once. HOF conditioner Mark Casse celebrated his 4,000th win. At the windows, Thursday’s average $2 Win ticket returned $11.20. According to the NYRA, thus far, post time favorites have won 31.4% of the races at the Spa meet. Looking ahead to Friday, here are Mr. Ed’s picks, including his BEST BEST and his PLAY OF THE DAY.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Friday (07/18)
Race 2 (1:43 p.m. ET/10:43 a.m. PT) — $100K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 5½ furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed likes #5 SHOOT IT TRUE (5-2 morning line) for super sprint trainer Wesley Ward, who taps legendary jockey Frankie Dettori to ride. Huge speed figure two races back stands out. Fast bullet work and second-time Lasix indicate classy capability.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 3 (2:16 p.m. ET/11:16 p.m. PT) — $75K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going 1⅛ mile
Mr. Ed’s PLAY OF THE DAY is #3 DAIQUIRI SOMMELIER (6-1 morning line) for top trainer Al Stall, Jr., who hires top jockey Jose Ortiz to ride. Speedy works tab and improving Beyers point to a winning outcome. I’ll drink to that!
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 4 (2:49 p.m. ET/11:49 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1⅜ miles on the grass
I like #10 GREEN JOBS (6-1 morning line) for trainer Chad Brown, who retains Flavien Prat, adds blinkers, and stretches out. Go on the green light to avoid bumping.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 5 (3:23 p.m. ET/12:23 p.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 5½ furlongs on the turf
My money is on a threesome: #1 SARATOGA SNOW (8-1 morning line), for sneaky good veteran trainer Michael Dini. Let it snow. #3 NO ORDINARY LOVE (9-2) with Flavien Prat, who returns after a slow start. #7 GARDEN OF GRACE (7-2) for hot George Weaver barn.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 6 (3:57 p.m. ET/12:57 p.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for NY-bred 2YOs going 5½ furlongs
Solid Upstate NY trainer Jeremiah Englehart sends out #2 PARTY IN THE ARMY (5-2 morning line) with Manny Franco, following a series of speedy works. Mr. Ed salutes the winner.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Races 7-10 (4:31 p.m. ET/1:31 p.m. PT) — $1 Pick 4
R7: 6,7,8
R8: 5
R9: 1,4,6,7
R10: 8,9,10 ($36)
Race 8 (5:05 p.m. ET/2:05 p.m. PT) — $200K G2 SHUVEE for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up going 1⅛ mile
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY is #5 RAGING SEA (1-1), winner of more than $2 million, for the tip-top team of Chad Brown and Flavien Prat. Sports three wins over track. Multiple G1 scores. Much the best of this group.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $40 to Win. ($40)
TOTAL WAGERS: $176
PLAYS OF THE DAY (6 bets): -$63.20
BEST BETS OF THE DAY (6 bets): +$3.00
SATURDAY SARATOGA PREVIEW: Saturday’s 12-race card at the Spa features three graded stakes: G3 CARESS; G2 ALFRED G. VANDERBILT and G1 COACHING CLUB AMERICAN OAKS. Early post time for Race 1 is 12:35 p.m. ET/9:35 a.m. PT. Mr. Ed will be posting his BEST BET OF THE DAY and his BEST BET OF THE DAY here on VSiN.com.
