Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Sunday, July 6:
TRACKING MR. ED: The stars of Saratoga Racing Festival Day 3 were a pair of 6-1 shots: THINK BIG, who captured the R10 KELSO STAKES, and FIONN, upsetting odds-on favorite, NITROGEN, to win the R11 BELMONT OAKS. Not to be overshadowed was jockey Flavien Prat, who booted home five winners, including the OAKS victor, and Jose Ortiz had a pair of scores. Trainers Bill Mott and Brad Cox each had a pair of winners. At the windows, the average $2 Win ticket returned $9.03. As for today, the Festival concludes with a rather dull 10-race card. Post time for the first race is 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. Here are Mr. Ed’s Saratoga picks.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Sunday (07/06)
Race 1 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes chalky two of the five: #1 ANTONIO OF VENICE (2-1 morning line) will benefit from an inside draw. I’ve lost a ton of tickets underestimating the talent of trainer Rudy Rodriguez. No more. Joel Rosario returns to ride, and #5 ONE NINE HUNDRED (9-5) for trainer Tom Morley and Jose Lezcano in the saddle. Expensive son of Dialed In drops after losing Pimlico stakes in the stretch. Belongs here.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 1,5/5,6. ($20)
Race 2 (1:44 p.m. ET/10:44 a.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 5½ furlongs
To complete Double, Mr. Ed picks the alliterative pair of #5 MAX MONEY (9-2 morning line) for Mike Maker, and #6 TOGA TWIST (5-2) for the team of Upstate NY trainer Jeremiah Englehart and Manny Franco. Dancing for cash.
Race 3 (2:18 p.m. ET/11:18 a.m. PT) — $115K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1½ miles on the turf
Mr. Ed knows something: He likes #3 YOUKNOWNOTHING (3-1 morning line) in this marathon for ladies. Trainer Miguel Clement has yet to get his footing after the untimely death of his father. Today’s the day. Joel Rosario returns to ride. Trust in Mr. Ed.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 5 (3:27 p.m. ET/12:37 p.m. PT) — $36K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
I like #6 TRADE IMBALANCE (5-2 morning line) for savvy horsewoman Linda Rice, who claimed 4YO from Chad Brown. Stable’s most productive rider, Jose Lezcano, returns to ride. Cutback and the presence of Jose point to victory. Balancing act.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Races 7-10 (4:35 p.m. ET/1:35 p.m. PT) — $.50 Pick 4*
R7: 1,3,4,5
R8: 1,2,4,8
R9: 5,10
R10: 3,9 ($32)
*in event of a scratch, the post-time favorite becomes the substitute pick
Race 7 (4:35 p.m. ET/1:35 p.m. PT) — $63K OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 5½ furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed bets #1 MIGHTY ERIU (2-1 morning line), improving Irish-bred for Brendan Walsh barn will benefit from inner-most post, addition of blinkers and rider upgrade to tip-top Irad Ortiz, Jr. Welcome to Saratoga Winner’s Circle, mighty gal!
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & $5 Exacta Box with 3,4,5. ($40)
Race 10 (6:19 p.m. ET/3:19 p.m. PT) — $50K MAIDEN CLAIMING for NY-bred fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 5½ furlongs on the turf
My LONGSHOT OF THE DAY is #9 GATTATIZ (6-1 morning line) for the Jimmy Bond barn, who gives smiling Katie Davis a leg up against a weak field. Gal should benefit from the cutback. I’ve been a sucker for another petite, smiling blonde since ‘71.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $130
OPENING DAY AT SARATOGA: The annual 40-day meet kicks off on Thursday and concludes on Labor Day. Look for Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN.com selections throughout the meet.
