Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks:
TRACKING MR. ED: Day 39 of 40 at the Spa had a little something for everyone, and a whole lot more for a few. Longshots and favorites each won their share of races, with the average $2 Win ticket returning $14.20. Irad Ortiz contributed to the chalk by capturing five races — and wrapping up the jockey most-wins title with 51 (with a day remaining). Flavien Prat is a distant second with 41. But Prat may have had the last laugh when he rode Highland Falls to an upset win in the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup. Prat also set an all-time Spa record by winning 17 stakes races. On a personal note, the day left Mr. Ed scratching his head when he failed to bet on a longshot named Rough Draft who won and paid $68 on a $2 bet. My editor may never forgive me. Enough about yesterday. Today, Saratoga wraps up its eight-week run with a 12-race card, featuring the $300K Hopeful Stakes for 2YOs (a preview of next year’s Kentucky Derby contenders). Forecast for Labor Day is sunny with a high in the low-80’s. Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s Saratoga picks.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga picks for Monday, September 2
Races 1&2 (12:35 p.m. ET/9:35 a.m. PT) — Both MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT
Mr. Ed likes #4 MILITARY ROAD (1-2 morning line). What’s not to like? Odds on for Christophe Clement with Manny Franco in R1. And in R2 #11 DISCO STAR (9-5) for Mark Casse with Jose Ortiz.
SARATOGA PICK: $10 ICE COLD Daily Double of 4/11. ($10)
Race 5 (2:46 p.m. ET/11:46 a.m. PT) — $115K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 1 ⅛-mile on turf
Mr. Ed’s “get out of town special “ is #7 QUARREL (6-1 morning line) for veteran NY trainer Bobby Ribaudo, who at 0-11 for the meet, needs a getaway check. Javier Castellano was named to ride but may pass due to an injury suffered in a spill on Friday. Can’t argue with pick.
SARATOGA PICK: $10 to Win & $5 Exacta Box of 2,3,7. ($40)
Race 6 (3:20 p.m. ET/12:20 p.m. PT) — MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for NY-bred 2 YOs going 7 furlongs
I like first-time-starter #3 OMAHA PISTOL (3-1 morning line), trained by popular NY conditioner Jeremiah Englehart, who hires tip-top rider Irad Ortiz Jr. to educate the rookie. An excellent string of works says he’s ready to run. Stick ‘em up!
SARATOGA PICK: $20 To Win. ($20)
Race 8 (4:29 p.m. ET/1:29 p.m. PT) — $150K HARVEY PACK STAKES for 4YOs & up going 5 ½ furlongs on turf
While Mr. Ed only met the legendary racing commentator for whom this race is named once, I did read his autobiography, May the Horse Be With You. After that, I thought of him as a friend. I like #8 BIG INVASION (6-1 morning line) for Christophe Clement with hot Dylan Davis in the saddle. R.I.P. Friend.
SARATOGA PICK: $10 to Win. ($10)
Races 9-12 (5:04 p.m. ET/2:04 p.m. PT) PICK 4 END OF MEET SPECIAL
R9: 4,6,7
R10: 2,3,7,8
R11: 8,11
R12: 4,6,12,13
SARATOGA PICK: $1 Pick 4. ($48)
Race 10 (5:43 p.m. ET/2:43 p.m. PT) — G1 $300K HOPEFUL STAKES for 2YOs going 7 furlongs
For my finale wager of the Spa season, I like #7 MENTEE (5-1 morning line) for the powerful Pletcher-Velazquez trainer-jockey combo. If the youngster can match his debut, he’ll be tough to beat. Mr. Ed can no longer hit from the men’s tee.
SARATOGA FINAL PICKS: $10 to Win & $5 Exacta Box of 7/2,3,8. ($40)
TOTAL WAGERS: $148
LOOKING AHEAD: As the curtain comes down at Saratoga after an entertaining and highly successful 40-day meet, Kentucky Downs is far from done (weather permitting). Mr. Ed will be back with his picks for more steeplechase-without-the-hurdles turf racing with huge purses this Thursday and next Sunday & Monday, and for a grand finale on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Next up in New York is the Belmont-at-the-BIG A meet, which commences on Friday the 13th.
