Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Saturday, July 12:
TRACKING MR. ED: The much-anticipated rain arrived “big time” following Thursday’s races, washing all but the top stakes on Friday’s card OFF the turf. So, for the second consecutive day, both of Mr. Ed’s special Best Bet and Play of the Day (see below) were scratched. On Friday alone, there were 34 scratches, reducing fields in some races to less than a handful of runners. As for Friday’s results, the Ortiz brothers stole the show with two winners apiece. No trainer had more than one winner. At the windows, chalk prevailed with the average $2 Win ticket returning $7.10. After all, isn’t cashing tickets what it’s all about?
SATURDAY AT THE SPA: The 12-race, chock-full of many highly competitive races, offers more than $2 million in purses, led by the feature $500K Grade 1 Diana Stakes. Hopefully, Mr. Ed’s two special picks will run as scheduled, but the weatherman is calling for a 60% chance of rain. There is an early post time of 12:35 p.m. ET/9:35 a.m. PT. Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s $140 in action.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Saturday (07/12)
Race 1 (12:35 p.m. ET/9:35 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 6 furlongs
Yes, we have no Daily Double today. However, Mr. Ed does have an excellent Win choice. #4 TAGERMEEN (9-5 morning line), the expensive son of super-sire Into Mischief, goes for Steve Asmussen with capable Ricardo Santana, Jr. riding. Work tab indicates a first-timer ready to score at first asking.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 3 (1:40 p.m. ET/10:40 a.m. PT) — $95K CLAIMING for 3YOs going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes three in a row: #5 UNCLE JIM (4-1 morning line) for trainer Ilkay Kantarmaci with popular NY-circuit rider Manny Franco; #6 ART FAIR (7-2) for trainer Mark Casse with Flavien Prat on board, and #7 JERRY’S OUT (5-2) for skillful conditioner Rudy Rodriguez, Ricardo Santana riding.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 4 (2:13 p.m. ET/11:13 a.m. PT) — $58K STARTER ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s betting the John Ortiz-trained gelding #4 SITKA (3-1 morning line) can beat this rather weak field. Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the saddle.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 5 (2:46 p.m. ET/11:46 a.m. PT) — $115K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes the Chad Brown-Flavien Prat combo of #8 ACTIVIST INVESTING (4-1 morning like) to wire this group, as he continues to bounce back after an extended leave. Daytrader special.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (3:54 p.m. ET/12:54 p.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
Mr. Ed’s PLAY OF THE DAY is #7 SOCIETY MAN (8-1 morning line) for savvy trainer Danny Gargan. The gelding cuts back after a tough loss going longer. Jockey Joel Rosario returns to avenge the loss. Odds add up to a value play.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 8 (4:29 p.m. ET/1:29 p.m. PT) — $200K G2 BOWLING GREEN for 4YOs & up going 1⅜-mile on the grass
#7 FAR BRIDGE (6-5 morning line) is my BEST BET OF THE DAY. Joel Rosario rides for Miguel Clement. The multimillion-dollar winner owns three in-the-money finishes over Spa turf. No bridge is too far for this guy.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $40 to Win. ($40)
Race 11 (6:14 p.m. ET/3:14 p.m. PT) — $500K G1 DIANA STAKES for fillies and mares, 4YOs going 1⅛-mile on the turf
It’s hard not to like #1 SHE FEELS PRETTY (1-1 morning line), winner of $1.7 million for owners and sneaky-good trainer Cherie DeVaux. Regular HOF rider Johnny Velazquez returns. Once she outbreaks others, she’ll never look back.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $30 to Win. ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $140
TRACKING MR.ED’S SPECIAL SELECTIONS
PLAYS OF THE DAY (2): Race 10, #12 scratched. ($0.00)
BEST BETS OF THE DAY (2): Race 4, #1 scratched ($0.00)
SUNDAY AT THE SPA: The $175K QUICK CALL STAKES turf sprint for 3YOs headlines the 10-race card. #2 GOVERNOR SAM, winner of four out of eight starts with nearly $500K in earnings, is the morning line choice. Mr. Ed is already busy handicapping the interesting card and will return here with his picks, including his Best Bet of the Day and his Play of the Day. First race post time is 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT.
