Saratoga Picks:
TRACKING MR. ED: Several leading jockeys, i.e., the Ortiz brothers, Flavien Prat and Frankie Dettori, will not be riding at Saratoga today, having fled the green grass of home for a more lucrative sandy card at Monmouth Park on the New Jersey shore. (Check out Mr. Ed’s selections for the richest two Monmouth stakes races at the bottom of this column.) Mr. Ed woke up from his handicapping slumber Friday as he scored a hat trick, picking the winners of R1-3. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. and conditioner Chad Brown each chalked up three winners. The average Win ticket on Friday returned $14.50. Now, let’s look at Mr. Ed’s Saratoga picks for Saturday.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Saturday, July 20
Race 1 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHTS for 2YOs going 1 1/16-mile on turf
Mr. Ed jumps right into the action with an ice-cold Daily Double. He likes #3 CLEVER AGAIN (7-2 morning line), $500K daughter of Triple Crown-winning sire American Pharoah, from the barn of all-time winningest trainer Steve Asmussen. He’s hired his one-time go-to jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. to ride. Clever move.
Race 2 (1:07 p.m. ET/10:07 a.m. PT) — $40K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 6 furlongs
To seal the Daily Double deal, I”ll take two for the money with #1 STARSHIP DEFIANT & #1A SELF ISOLATION (7-5 morning line) from the Dave Jacobson stable. Luis Rivera Jr. and Ramon Vasquez, respectively, named to ride.
SARATOGA PICK: $10 Daily Double of 3&1. ($10)
Race 3 (1:40 p.m. ET/10:40 a.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHTS for 3YO & up going 5 ½ furlongs on turf
Young, promising rider Katie Davis is key to victory for #4 HE HAS IT ALL (3-1 morning line). Loyal trainer Ray Handal sticks with up-and-coming Katie Davis in spite of five earlier efforts at breaking maiden. Trust Mr. Ed, moving to turf, cutting back and retaining Davis point to victory. She has it all.
SARATOGA PICK: $5 to Win & Place. ($10)
Race 5 (2:46 p.m. ET/11:46 a.m. PT) — $35K CLAIMING, 3YO & up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #8 BOBBY THE TANK (9-2 morning line). Looks as if Linda Rice is giving up on this slowpoke by taking a big class drop, yet hiring hot Tyler Gaffalione to ride. Best case: He wins (money to Rice), but she loses him in claim box. Bye, bye Bobby.
SARATOGA PICK: $10 to Win.
Race 6 (3:20 p.m. ET/12:20 p.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf
I first became acquainted with up-and-coming trainer Whit Beckman as he guided Honor Marie on the Triple Crown trail. I think he’s a future star and I’ll take his recently claimed filly #5 GIRLS WEEKEND (4-1 morning line) to repeat. Ricardo Santana Jr. rides.
SARATOGA PICK: $5 to Win & Place. ($10)
Race 8 (4:29 p.m. ET/1:29 p.m. PT) — $115K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #7 ARRO SMASH (4-1 morning line) to continue his recent streak of excellent efforts. Trainer Phil Bauer hires journeyman Eric Cancel to ride. A smash hit.
SARATOGA PICK: $10 to Win and $5 Exacta box of 2,3,7. ($40)
Race 9 (5:04 p.m. ET/2:04 p.m. PT) —$120 ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 1 ⅛-mile on turf
I like French import #6 CASH EQUITY (8-1 morning line) to spring upset vs. deep field of veteran campaigners for trainer-jockey combo of Joseph-Gaffalione. Cash only.
SARATOGA LONGSHOT BET: $10 to Win & $5 Exacta box of 16/4,8,9. ($40)
Races 10-12 (5:38 p.m. ET/2:38 p.m. PT)
Mr. Ed’s big shot of the day starts with two, #2 OVERSUBSCRIBED (5-2 morning line) & #6 SWEET REBECCA (7-2) in Race 10-G3 $175K Lake George Stakes, #3 THORPEDO ANNA (1-2) in the R11-$500K Coaching Club American Oaks and in Race 12-$100K Maiden Special Weights, #1 FACTOR ANALYSIS (7-5) & #5 EL REZEEN (9-2).
SARATOGA BEST BET OF DAY: $5 PICK 3:
Race 10: 2,6
Race 11: 3
Race 12: 1,5 ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $140
STAKES PLAYS AT MONMOUTH PARK
Race 11 (Post Time 5:09 p.m. ET/2:09 p.m. PT)
G2 $600K United Nations Handicap
Selection: #9 TAWNY PORT (6-1)
Race 12 (Post Time 5:45 ET/2:45 p.m. PT)
G1 $1 Million Haskell Stakes
Selection: #3 TUSCAN SKY (9-2)
