Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Sunday, July 27:
TRACKING MR. ED: Some came to see a champion run like one. Some came to see the Graveyard of Champions live up to its name. The former folks won as SOVEREIGNTY ($3 for $2) ran like the proven champion he is, beating the naysayers by capturing the G2 $500K Jim Dandy Stakes. What’s next for the undisputed champion 3YO? It’s on to The Travers at the end of August. Once all was said and run on Day 13 of the meet, trainer Chad Brown’s horses won the final Daily Double, Steve Asmussen captured the early Daily Double and Linda Rice had the winners of Races 3 and 4. As for the jockeys, the Bros. Ortiz (Irad and Jose) had two wins apiece. The average Win ticket paid a chalky $8.20. Turning to Sunday’s 10-race card featuring the $250K G2 Glens Falls Stakes (Race 7), the action begins at 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT. Be aware, there is a 50% chance of rain. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s picks.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Sunday (7/27)
Race 1 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $58K STARTER ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1⅛ mile
Mr. Ed likes either of these two: #4 COLONIAL ROSE (1-1 morning line) for Norm Casse and Jose Ortiz seeking to repeat last-out winning effort on slop at Churchill Downs. The wetter the better. And, #5 OUR LIBERTY BELLE (5-2) for low-profile trainer Wayne Potts and high-energy rider Irad Ortiz. Jr. Look for late foot.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 4,5/5,6,7. ($30)
Race 2 (1:44 p.m. ET/10:44 a.m. PT) — $38K for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 1⅛ mile
To complete the Daily Double, Mr. Ed likes three: #5 TECA (8-1 morning line) for trainer Horacio De Paz and popular NY jockey Kendrick Carmouche. And, #6 BACKSTRETCH ROSE (9-5) with hot jock Ricardo Santana, Jr. and trainer Jorge Abreu, and #7 FLORIDA POWER (5-2) for Potts and Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Race 3 (2:18 p.m. ET/10:18 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going a mile on the turf
I like #3 VISIBLE (12-1 morning line) for fav trainer Danny Gargan with HOF rider Javier Castellano. Recent work shows the youngster is ready for maximum effort. It’s Mr. Ed’s PLAY OF THE DAY. Boardwalk fans: Don’t ignore #8 CHALKY WHITE.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)
Race 4 (2:52 p.m. ET/11:52 a.m. PT) — $85K CLAIMING for 3YOs going a mile
My money’s on #5 GEORGIA MAGIC (9-2 morning line) for trainer Ray Handal with top rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. As speed figures increase, he drops. Look out!
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 6 (4:02 p.m. ET/1:02 p.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for NY-bred 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
It’s time for #2 KEEPINITREAL (7-5 morning line) to finally get hosed down and cooled off in the Winner’s Circle by trainer Chad Brown after wiring the field under Flavien Prat. It’s his turn to make it real. BEST BET OF THE DAY
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 7 (4:35 p.m. ET/1:35 p.m. PT) — $250K G2 GLENS FALLS STAKES for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up going 1½ miles on the turf
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #1 LE MEHANA (3-1 morning line) for Miguel Clement with Flavien Prat riding for repeat from inner-most post; #5 LONG AGO (4-1) with huge rider upgrade to Jose Ortiz, and #6 BELLEZZA (5-2), the other Clement coed stretching out to marathon with Joel Rosario up.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 8 (5:10 p.m. ET/2:10 p.m. PT) — $50K CLAIMING for fillies & mares, 3YOs & up going 5½ furlong on the weeds
Mr. Ed is a big fan of upstate NY trainer Jeremiah Englehart, who sends out #3 ALPINE GIANT (2-1 morning line) with hot-riding Ricardo Santana, Jr. and a shot of Lasix added in an effort to repeat win by a nod.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 9 (5:44 p.m. ET/2:44 p.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile
I like a pair: #4 MAGNOLIA MIDNIGHT (9-2 morning line) for promising trainer Ilkay Kantarmaci, who calls popular NY-circuit rider Manny Franco. Time to turn things around. And #6 WARRIOR RICHARD (2-1) for the strong team of Joe Sharp and Jose Ortiz.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 4,6/5,11. ($30)
Race 10 (6:19 p.m. ET/3:19 p.m. PT) — $72K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
To close out the week on a high note, Mr. Ed bets either #5 ATOMIC AGE (4-1 morning line) with Manny Franco aboard, or #11 ANTIETAM (6-1) with HOFer Johnny Velazquez up for Pletcher barn.
TOTAL WAGERS: $155
PLAYS OF THE DAY (12 bets): -$165.20
BEST BETS OF THE DAY (11 bets): -$63.00
