Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Thursday, July 10:
SARATOGA ON MR. ED’S MIND: “Some folks like to get away, take a holiday from the neighborhood, hop a flight to Miami Beach or to Hollywood. But I’m taking a Greyhound on the Hudson River Line — I’m in a New York State of mind.” Crooner Billy Joel said it all. When New York Times legendary sports writer Red Smith was asked how one gets to Saratoga, he replied, “From NYC, drive north for about 175 miles, turn left on Union Avenue, and go back 100 years.” Mr. Ed has done just that more times over the last 50 years than he can remember. It’s Disneyland for the most serious horseplayer or novice fan alike; a picnic place for the whole family or a school reunion; a gathering spot for rogues and millionaires. Join Mr. Ed for the next 40 days of racing as he handicaps each and every card at Saratoga Race Course. And, in addition to offering a total of between $100 and $200 in selections each day, I’ll post Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY and his BEST PLAY OF THE DAY (defined below). Thursday weather forecast: 75% chance of rain. First post time on Day 1 of the meet is 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s picks.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Thursday (07/10)
Race 1 — $95K ALLOWANCE for NY-bred fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1 ⅛-mile
Mr. Ed has a Daily Double score on his mind. He likes a pair: #2 AH CA IRA (4-1 morning line) with top-jockey Flavien Prat in the saddle for Jorge Abreu, and #7 GRACE REFORMED (9-5) for Juan Carlos Guerrero, who hires apprentice Chris Elliott to ride. What’s good for the trainer is just alright with Mr. Ed.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 2,7/1,7. ($20)
Race 2 (1:44 p.m. ET/10:44 a.m. PT) — $63K OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 5½ furlongs on the grass
Mr. Ed likes two: #1 MY LIFE STORY (4-1 morning line) for trainer Mike Maker and leading jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., and #7 DEVIL IN DISGUISE (4-5) with Prat riding for George Weaver. Are we feeling lucky? Then, 7-7 Double works for me.
Race 3 (2:18 p.m. ET/11:18 a.m. PT) — $38K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 6½ furlongs
I’m betting on #3 FIVE TO TWO (7-2 morning line) for savvy horsewoman Linda Rice, who knows how to play the claiming game and names popular jockey Dylan Davis to ride. Mr. Ed is praying for rain.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:52 p.m. ET/11:52 a.m. PT) — $68K CLAIMING for 3YO fillies and mares going 6 furlongs
I like three for the money: #4 PROUD FOOT (4-1 morning line) drops in class with Irad Ortiz, Jr. returning to ride; #6 OLGA (9-2), going for hat trick with Flavien Prat on board, and #7 ALL CLASS (8-5) with Jose Ortiz. Her name says it all.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box ($30)
Race 5 (3:27 p.m. ET/12:27 p.m. PT) — $135K DE LA ROSE STAKES (1) for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up going a mile on the turf
BEST BET OF THE DAY is #9 WEIGH THE RISKS (6-5 morning line) for Chad Brown outfit with Manny Franco riding. Worth the risk, Mr. Ed says.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
(note: #9 is entered MTO – so main track only; race needs to come off the turf for horse to run)
Races 7-10 (4:35 p.m. ET/1:35 p.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1⅛ mile
$.50 PICK 4
R7: 2,5,8
R8: 1,4,5,10
R9: 3,4,5
R10: 3,7 ($36)*
* In the event of a scratch, the post-time favorite becomes the substitute pick
Race 8 (5:10 p.m. ET/2:10 p.m. PT) — $137K DE LA ROSE STAKES (2) for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s PLAY OF THE DAY is #10 ZADORSKY (5-2 morning line) for sharp trainer Beck Whitman with Luis Saez riding. Love her in the slop as the gal goes for three in a row.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
TOTAL WAGERS: $126
BEST BET OF DAY: Wager Mr. Ed says has the best chance of winning (Race 5).
PLAY OF THE DAY: Wager Mr. Ed says offers best value (Race 8).
FRIDAY (Day 2) AT THE SPA AND MEET OUTLOOK: Another 10-race card, featuring the $175K G3 CORONATION CUP turf sprint for 3YO fillies, is on tap. As the 40-day meet gets rolling, Mr. Ed is looking for the following trainers: Chad Brown, Brad Cox, Linda Rice, Mark Casse and Todd Pletcher to have an excellent meet. Also, with smaller barns, Mr. Ed expects Steve Asmussen, Danny Gargan and Whit Beckman to saddle their share of winners. As for jockeys, Mr. Ed predicts a dead heat between Irad Ortiz, Jr. and Flavien Prat for leading rider. Each is capable of having multiple-win days on any given day. And, count on Jose Ortiz, Luis Saez, Manny Franco and Joel Rosario to win a bunch of races. And finally, don’t ever dismiss HOFers Johnny Velazquez and Javier Castellano. Last but hardly least, count on smiling Katie Davis to boot home a few longshots. And Mr. Ed reminds all: A bad day at the track beats a good day anywhere else.
