Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Friday, July 4:
DAY 1 OF THE SHORT, SWEET, RACING FESTIVAL: It was mostly Chalk City until mid-priced shots won the final two. Without the inflation of those two winners, the average $2 Win ticket returned less than $10. As for top performers, trainers Linda Rice, always tough at the Spa, and fan fave Rudy Rodriguez each had a pair of winners. And jockeys Luis Saez and Jose Ortiz each enjoyed two trips to the Winner’s Circle.
TRACKING MR. ED: Happy July 4th holiday, horseplayers! Welcome to Day 2 of the four-day, one sweet Saratoga Racing Festival. Today’s 11-race card is cocked full of first-class contests, highlighted by Race 9 $750,000 G1 BELMONT DERBY for 3YOs. Elsewhere on the program, handicappers will be treated to four other excellent stakes. Racing action gets underway at 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT. Let the fireworks begin!
Here are Mr. Ed’s holiday picks:
Race 1 — $110K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed kicks the day off with a Daily Double. In the first leg, he likes a pair: #1 MISS MOTTLEY (3-1 morning line), conditioned by top trainer Chad Brown and ridden by Flavien Prat, and #4 AWESOME CZECH (5-2) for Horacio De Paz with Ricardo Santana in the irons. Look for both of these fine fillies late in the game. Czech & mate.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 1,4/1,4. ($20)
Race 2 (1:42 p.m. ET/10:42 a.m. PT) — $150K SCHUYLERVILLE STAKES for 2YO fillies going 6 furlongs
To cash his bet, Mr. Ed likes #1 EVOLUTION (7-2 morning line) with Luis Saez aboard, and favorite #4 MY SWEETHEART (2-1) with international riding legend Frankie Detorri in the saddle. See me at the cashier window.
Race 4 (2:46 p.m. ET/11:46 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #7 TOM COLLINS (7-2 morning line), a favorite boomer beverage. Crafty Irad Ortiz Jr. rides. #8 DIRAND (3-1) for Chad Brown outfit with NY top jock Manny Franco aboard, and closer #9 VINTAGE VINO (9-2) for savvy horsewoman Linda Rice with Jose Lezcano riding.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 5 (3:18 p.m. ET/12:18 p.m. PT) — $46K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6 ½-furlongs
Mr. Ed feels it’s time for some changes. #5 AWESOME EMPIRE (5-1 morning line) gets new jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., moves from turf to dirt and shortens up. Class drop seals deal.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Races 8-11 (5:07 p.m. ET/2:07 p.m. PT) — $.50 Pick 4
R8: 4
R9: 4,5,6,8
R10: 2,4,6,8
R11: 1,5,6 ($24)
Race 9 (5:45 p.m. ET/2:45 p.m. PT) — $750K G1 BELMONT DERBY for 3YOs going 1 ⅛-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes #4 NEW CENTURY (3-1 morning line) for ready-to-run trainer Brendan Walsh, who flies British jockey Oisin Merphy in to ride. Import appears to have a powerful late kick, which he’ll need to catch this crew.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & $5 Exacta Box with 5,6,8. ($40)
TOTAL WAGERS: $124
SATURDAY AT THE SPA: If you like 2YOs, then Day 3 of the one, short, sweet racing festival is your day. Three competitive races, including the renowned G3 SANFORD STAKES, restricted to youngsters, may very well shine a light on the Triple Crown contestants of 2026. Mr. Ed’s TIP OF THE DAY: Watch the 2YOs run, and after the races are over, pick a pony you like and make a Kentucky Derby Features Book wager on him (often at more than 50-1). Then, follow his progress on the Road to the Derby. Who knows — you just might get lucky in Kentucky! Other races on Saturday’s card include the G3 KELSO STAKES, named for Mr. Ed’s all-time, long-time favorite horse and only five-time Horse of the Year, and the G1 BELMONT OAKS, for the fillies. Saturday’s weather forecast: Mostly sunny. Race 1 post time is 12:35 p.m. ET/9:35 a.m. PT.
