Saratoga Picks:
TRACKING MR. ED: After a Friday-long deluge thanks to Tropical Storm Debby, everything came up sunshine, lollipops, but mostly chalk on Saturday — especially for Mr. Ed, who cashed a $10 ice-cold, early Daily Double ticket for $136. Also having good days were jockeys Irad Ortiz Jr. with three victories as well as slow-starting Luis Saez and Tyler Gaffalione with two apiece. Trainer Todd Pletcher had a pair of wins. The average $2 Win play returned a meager $7.03. Let’s look at Sunday’s Saratoga picks.
SUNDAY AT THE SPA: Two excellent Grade 1 Stakes (Race 10 The Fourstardave & Race 11 The Saratoga Derby), postponed previously, highlight an excellent 12-race card. Post time for the first race is 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT.
Mr. Ed’s Best Bets at Saratoga for Sunday, August 11
Races 1&2 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $70K STARTER ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 6 ½-furlongs
Mr. Ed likes an ice-cold Daily Double: #4 SHE’S ALWAYS ROSIE (4-5 morning line) in R1 & #2 PROPRIETARY TRADE (6-5) in R2.
SARATOGA BEST BET: $10 Daily Double. ($10)
Race 5 (2:48 p.m. ET/11:48 p.m. PT) — $50K MAIDEN CLAIMING for NY-bred 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on turf
If race is taken off turf (as expected), Mr. Ed likes #16 BIG EGO (7-5 morning line) for superb NY-based trainer Linda Rice, who spots horses to win better than most. With Jose Ortiz in the saddle, this is the spot to stroke Mr. Ed’s big ego.
SARATOGA PICK: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 7 (4:28 p.m. ET/1:28 p.m. PT) — $35K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going furlongs.
My choice is #6 BEACH BOY AL (7-2 morning line) for sharp NY-circuit horseman Jeremiah Englehart who retains improving Dylan Davis to ride. Drop in class, added distance and speedy work add up to a victory at fair price.
SARATOGA PICK: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 9 (5:42 p.m. ET/2:42 p.m. PT) — $45K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs.
Mr. Ed likes a pricy play: #9 EIRIK RIDGE (6-1 morning line) with NY-fan-fav Dylan Davis riding for Jim Ryerson, who ships colt over from Finger Lakes. Class drop. Ready to play vs. big Spa boys at a square price.
SARATOGA PICK: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 10 (6:16 p.m. ET/3:16 p.m. PT) — G1 $500K FOURSTARDAVE HANDICAP for 3YOs & up going mile on turf
In Brit trainer Charlie Appleby and rider Flavien Prat does Mr. Ed trust — and #6 OTTOMAN FLEET (8-5 morning line). The imported gelding has won three of the last four vs. slighter, lesser G2 company. Fleet Street.
SARATOGA PICK: $30 to Win and $5 Exacta boxes with 4&7. ($40)
Race 11 (6:49 p.m. ET/3:49 p.m. PT) — G1 $600K SARATOGA DERBY for 3YOs going 1 3/16-mile on turf
Mr. Ed likes another import #1 LEGEND OF TIME (5-2 morning line)for Prat and Appleby (again) to capture the finale. Winner of five of 8eight, the tough guy always tackles talented fields. This time, there is no exception.
SARATOGA PICK: $20 to Win and $5 Exact boxes with 6&7. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $170
SPOT PLAYS
Colonial Downs Race 7
G1 Secretariat Stakes
Pick: #7 First World War (7-2)
Colonial Downs Race 11
G1 Arlington Million Stakes
Pick: #4 Nation’s Pride (6-5)
