Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Sunday, June 8:
ONE, SOGGY, LESS THAN PERFECT DAY AT THE SPA: The rain came, the sun followed, the track turned fast — and #2 SOVEREIGNTY (5-2) won the 157th edition of the $2M G1 Belmont Stakes (at Saratoga) fair and square. Also winner of the Kentucky Derby five weeks ago, the 3YO colt answered all strategy critics of bypassing The Preakness and perhaps once and proved that HOF trainers are brighter than most turfwriters (including Mr. Ed). #7 Journalism (8-5) finished a well-beaten second, and #6 Beaza was third. As for the shortened card results, only one rider, Jose Ortiz, was able to win two races, and no trainer won more than one race. Chalk ruled the day at the windows with the average $2 win ticket returning a modest $11. On to the Sunday card, which has been expanded to 13 races, due to the addition of the Jaipur Stakes and the Manhattan Stakes, both postponed by inclement weather on Saturday. First race on Sunday goes to the post at 12:10 p.m. ET/9:10 a.m. PT. Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s plays.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Selections for Sunday, June 8
Race 1 (12:10 p.m. ET/9:10 a.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies
Mr. Ed likes two: #2 TWO BY TWO BY TWO (4-1 morning line), first-time starter for trainer Brad Cox, who hires Manny Franco to ride and #3 GORRONO RANCH (3-1 morning line) with Johnny Velazquez in the saddle.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double 2,3/5,6. ($20)
Race 2 (12:43 p.m. ET/9:43 a.m. PT) — $115K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
To complete the Double Mr. Ed likes #5 RESILIENCE (5-2 morning line) with Bill Mott and Johnny Velazquez, and #6 SOCIETY MAN (3-1) for Danny Gargan and Joel Rosario. Danny’s my man.
Race 4 (1:49 p.m. ET/10:49 a.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16 mile on turf
I’m betting on four: #2 UNCATALYZED (9-5 morning line) for power combo of Chad Brown and Irad Ortiz, Jr. coupled with #2b MOVE TO GOLD (9-5); #6 ENLIGHTEN (7-2) from Todd Pletcher barn with Johnny Velazquez, and #12 SLIP MAHONEY (5-1) for Kantarmaci stable with Manny Franco.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 6 (2:55 p.m. ET/11:55 a.m. PT) — $100K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for NY-breds, 3YOs & up going 6½ furlongs
My choice is #4 TEN CENT TOWN who gets a huge rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz, Jr. by trainer Dick Dutrow. The horse appears to thrive on off tracks. With rain in the forecast, he might get a chance to swim and win again at the Spa, like he did last summer. Dime time.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (3:29 p.m. ET/12:29 p.m. PT) — $150K G3 SOARING SOFTLY for 3YO fillies going 5½ furlongs on turf
I like three: #1 LOVE CERVERE (7-2 morning line) for new trainer Miguel Clement and rider Joel Rosario, who’s going for back-to-back wins; #8 CLOE (9-2) for Jose D’Angelo and Irad Ortiz, Jr., and #11 ROJO RITA (5-2) for Saffie Joseph Jr. from the also eligible list.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 1,8,11 ($30)
Races 8-11 — $.50 PICK 4
R8: 7,8,9,13
R9: 2,5
R10: 2,3,4,7
R11: 1,3 ($32)
NOTE: THE FOLLOWING TWO RACES WERE CANCELLED ON SATURDAY AND RESCHEDULED FOR TODAY
Race 12 — $600K G1 JAIPUR STAKES for 3YOs & up going 5½ furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed’s three for the money: #2 THINK BIG (6-5 morning line) for superior trainer Michael Stidman, who retains young rider Ben Curtis; #5 ARZAK (8-1) with Irad Ortiz, Jr., in saddle, and #9 AG BULLET (7-2) who gets rider upgrade to Flavien Prat. I’m expecting a big payoff.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box, ($30)
Race 13 — $1M G1 MANHATTAN MILE for 4YOs & up
Mr. Ed likes three for the money #2 INTEGRATION (9-2 morning line) with top jock Flavien Prat for Shug McGaughy; #5 DETERMINISTIC (9-2) for Miguel Clement with NY jockey Kendrick Carmouche, and #6 SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS (5-2) for Chad Brown, who retains Manny Franco following a win at Churchill Downs.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $182
