Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks:
TRACKING MR. ED: Power Squeeze captured the featured G1 Alabama Stakes for 3YO fillies in a thrilling stretch duel with favorite Candied. The winner returned $14.80 on a $2 wager. For the 12-race card, the average $2 Win ticket paid $12.66. Javier Castellano was the lone rider to have two winners. And 12 different trainers made trips to the Winner’s Circle. As for Mr. Ed, after being shut out with his Saratoga picks for the first nine races, he was tempted to throw in his terrible handicapping towel. Then, the racing gods intervened. He hit the late $1 Pick 3 (3-3-5) for $162.50. Thank you.
SUNDAY AT THE SPA: The 11-race card, topped by two competitive stakes, offers a wide variety of challenging maiden specials, allowance and claiming contests. There are five races scheduled to be run on the turf, so make note there is a 60% chance of showers with a high in the mid-70s. Post time for the first race is 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT. Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections.
Mr. Ed’s Best Bets at Saratoga for Sunday, August 18
Races 1 & 2 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHTS for 2YOs going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #3 CLAIRE’S CHARM (6-1 morning line) for red hot Philip Bauer barn with Luis Saez, and #6 RATIONAL THEORY (7-2) for Steve Asmussen stable with Jose Ortiz.
SARATOGA PICK: $5 Daily Double of 3,6/5,6. ($20)
Race 2 (1:42 p.m. ET/10:42 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHTS for fillies and mares going 1 ⅜-mile on turf
Mr. Ed’s two for the money to complete Daily Double are #5 COMPETITIVE THREAT (4-1 morning line) for Chad Brown with Irad Ortiz Jr. in saddle, and #6 APPELLATE (6-1) for Todd Pletcher and legendary jockey Larry Dettori.
Race 3 (2:15 p.m. ET/11:15 a.m. PT) — $125K EVAN SHIPMAN HANDICAP FOR NY-bred 3YOs & up going a mile
I like #5 DONEGAL SURGES (9-5 morning line). Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., colt has been well-seasoned vs. NY company. Rested and ready for stakes assignment, he’ll be up front early.
SARATOGA PICK: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:48 p.m. ET/11:48 a.m. PT) — $55K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 5 ½ furlongs on turf
Mr. Ed likes trio: #5 SCHNITTKER (9-2 morning line), shipping in from Presque Isle Downs for speed master Wesley Ward; #8 RAGING (7-2) with addition of Tyler Gaffalione, and #10 INFLATION NATION (5-2) for excellent trainer Michael Maker.
SARATOGA PICK: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 7 (4:28 p.m. ET/1:48 p.m. PT) — $150K BOLTON LANDING STAKES for 2YO fillies going 5 ½ furlongs on turf
Another three-bagger: #4 VIGGIEDAL (9-2 morning line) for Asmussen & Jose Ortiz; #6 LADY ORIENT (7-2) with Gaffalione for Amoss, and #8 ABIENTOT (4-1) for local hero Dylan Davis for Mark Casse.
SARATOGA PICK: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Races 9-11 (5:42 p.m. ET/2:42 p.m. PT) — $30K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes:
R9: 4,8
R10: 2,4,6,8
R11: 3,7,8,10
SARATOGA PICK: $1 Pick 3. ($32)
Race 10 (6:16 p.m. ET/3:16 p.m. PT) — $95K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #6 A MAIZE ZING DOTIE (7-2 morning line) for trainer Chris Englehart. Top jock Irad Ortiz Jr will ride Finger Lakes-based mare.
SARATOGA PICKS: $10 to Win & $5 Exacta Box of 6/2,4,8. ($40)
Race 11 (6:49 p.m. ET/3:49 p.m. PT) — $65K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 1 ⅛-mile on turf
I like #10 BOURBON DAY (5-2 morning line) for trainer Brad Cox, who brings Flavien Prat back, drops the gelding in class and stretches him out. Race sets up for this deep closer. Make it a double, bartender!
SARATOGA BEST BET: $20 to Win. ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $182
