Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks:
TRACKING MR. ED: Conditions improved markedly at the Spa on Friday. No rain, a few high clouds, an abundance of sunshine — and a smiling Mr. Ed, who had a profitable day with an Exacta and a pair of winners from his Saratoga picks for his loyal VSiN followers. Flavien Prat escaped his 1-37 slump with two trips to the Winner’s Circle. Jose Ortiz also had two Wins. The average return on a $2 Win ticket was a chalky $9.20
ALABAMA DAY AT THE SPA: Three-year-old coeds take center stage today in the G1 $600K Alabama Stakes. Eight accomplished fillies are scheduled to go to the post in Race 10 at 5:43 p.m. ET/2:43 p.m. PT. Post time favorite is expected to be #7 CANDIED (7-5 morning line) for trainer Todd Pletcher and ridden by Manny Franco. Top jock Irad Ortiz Jr. returns from a three-day suspension with a mount in every race. First race post time for the outstanding 12-race card is 12:35 p.m. ET/9:35 a.m. PT. Forecast: cloudy, but dry. Estimated crowd: 40,000. Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections.
Mr. Ed’s Best Bets at Saratoga for Saturday, August 17
Race 1 (12:35 p.m. ET/9:35 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a Daily Double, using #1 SANSONE (7-5 morning line) for Shug McGaughey, ridden by Jose Ortiz and #4 MCHALE (6-1) for Mark Hennig, ridden by Johnny Velazquez.
SARATOGA PICK: $5 Daily Double of 1,4/1,4. ($20)
Race 2 (1:07 p.m. ET/10:07 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
To complete the Daily Double, Mr. Ed likes #1 ASBURY PARK (5-1 morning line) for Chad Brown, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. and #4 DRAGONEER (6-1) for Danny Gargan, ridden by Kendrick Carmouche.
Race 4 (2:13 p.m. ET/11:13 a.m. PT) — $55K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 5 ½ furlongs on the turf
Trainer Brad Cox sends out #5 HUE (3-1 morning line) for her third career start, first on turf. Cox stretches her out and changes rider to local favorite Manny Franco. Mr. Ed’s pick of the day.
SARATOGA BEST BET OF DAY: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 5 (2:46 p.m. ET/11:46 a.m. PT) — $40K MAIDEN CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going one mile
Mr. Ed likes #7 MACAW (5-2 morning line) for top female trainer Linda Rice, who makes a major jockey change to leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr. and stretches gal out to a mile.
SARATOGA PICK: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 6 (3:20 p.m. ET/12:20 p.m. PT) — $100K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for NY-bred 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on turf
Mr. Ed likes three: #3 LAUREL VALLEY (6-1 morning line), Rosario returns to ride for sharp trainer Maker; #6 BETTRLUCKYTHANGOOD (9-2) for D. Davis with trainer Clement, and #7 LET’S GO BIG BLUE (4-1) for Weaver and Lezcano.
SARATOGA PICK: $5 Exacta box. ($30)
Race 8 (4:29 p.m. ET/1:29 p.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going 1 ⅛-mile
I like #6 ROCKETEER (9-2 morning line). Super conditioner Brad Cox teams up again with sharp rider Tyler Gaffalione while adding blinkers to help the son of Curlin focus on the business at hand. If he breaks cleanly, others may never catch him.
SARATOGA PICK: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 9 (5:04 p.m. ET/2:04 p.m. PT) — G2 $200K LAKE PLACID STAKES for 3YO fillies going 1 1/16-mile on turf
Mr. Ed is betting on favorite #7 SHE FEELS PRETTY (2-1 morning line) to prevail over a diverse field of sophomore ladies. Filly has never been out of money in five previous starts. Trainer Cherie DeVaux turns to Johnny Velazquez to repeat earlier excellent efforts.
SARATOGA PICK: $20 to Win and $5 Exacta boxes with 10&11. ($40)
Races 10-12 (5:43 p.m. ET/2:43 p.m. PT) — G1 $600K ALABAMA STAKES for 3YO fillies going 1 ¼-mile
Mr. Ed likes a Pick 3, lead by Kentucky invader #4 JUST BASKING (5-1 morning line) for respected Bluegrass conditioner Ian Wilkes, who brings his son-in-law Chris Landeros with him north to ride the promising daughter of the great Arrogate.
SARATOGA PICK: $1 Pick 3
R10: 3,4,7
R11: 3,7
R12: 3,5,12 ($36)
TOTAL WAGERS: $176
SUNDAY AT THE SPA: A pair of stakes, $125K Evan Shipman Handicap (Race 3) and $150K Bolton Landing (Race 7), highlight a challenging 11-race card. Post time for Race 1 is 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 PT. Mr. Ed’s selections will be available on VSiN.com later today.
