Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Thursday, July 17:
TRACKING MR. ED: The first Wednesday of the 40-day Saratoga meet resulted in a profitable day for a number of folks Mr. Ed follows at VSiN. Trainer Steve Asmussen had a pair of winners, as did jockeys Irad Ortiz, Jr. and Luis Saez. Not to be outdone, Mr. Ed also had a couple of scores, including his BEST BET, which generated a $16 profit. Unfortunately, his PLAY OF THE DAY remained winless after five days (meet totals below). At the windows, the average $2 Win ticket returned a little more than $10. Thursday’s 10-day race card goes to the post at 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT. The weather forecast calls for cloudy skies with showers arriving on Friday.
Here are Mr. Ed’s picks for Thursday.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Thursday (07/17)
Race 1 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $48K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile
It’s Daily Double time! I like #5 LOU (7-2 morning line) stretching out to a mile for confident Linda Rice and excellent rider Flavien Prat, and #6 INDY MAGIC, who drops and adds blinkers, for the team of Joe Sharp and Luis Saez.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 5,6/6,9 ($20)
Race 2 (1:47 p.m. ET/10:47 a.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for NY-bred, 3YOs & up going a mile on the grass
To complete the wager, Mr. Ed likes #6 DEEMER (4-1 morning line), recently gelded for hot trainer Cherie DeVaux and regular rider Manny Franco, and #9 ANNEXPERINCE (7-2) for excellent upstate NY trainer Jeremiah Englehart as Jose Ortiz picks up the mount. Double my pleasure at the windows.
Race 3 (2:21 p.m. ET/11:21 a.m. PT) — $150K RICK VIOLETTE STAKES for NY-bred, 3 YOs going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
My money is on chalky BEST BET OF THE DAY #6 SMOOTH BREEZE (7-5 morning line) for trainer Jorge Abreu, who brings Flavien Prat back to ride. Son of More Than Ready sports sharp speed figures. Recent turf work says he’s ready.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 5 (3:27 p.m. ET/12:27 p.m. PT) — $38K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s betting on #8 FIDDLING FELIX (5-2 morning line) for up-and-coming trainer Whit Beckman, who hires popular NY rider Kendrick Carmouche to guide pick to Winner’s Circle. Drops to the lowest level yet.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 8 (5:10 p.m. ET/2:10 p.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
My PLAY OF THE DAY is #2 ROCKETEER (8-1 morning line) for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., who gives top rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. a leg up. Third off claim, very fast morning drills and added distance point to upset victory.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 9 (5:44 p.m. ET/2:44 p.m. PT) — $75K OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes #7 ENLIGHTEN (8-5 morning line) for the combo of HOFer Todd Pletcher with Irad Ortiz, Jr., and #9 GEM MINT TEN (9-2) for trainer Ray Handal with Luis Saez riding.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 7,9/1,11. ($20)
Race 10 (6:19 p.m. ET/3:19 p.m. PT) — $50K MAIDEN CLAIMING for NY-bred 3YOs & up going 5½ furlongs on the turf
I’m betting either #1 ORIE (5-2 morning line) for veteran trainer Mike Maker with rider upgrade to Luis Saez, or #11 FILM ACADEMY (3-1), who adds blinkers and rider Jose Ortiz and cuts back in distance, completes the bet.
TOTAL WAGERS: $100
PLAYS OF THE DAY (5 days): -$60
BEST BETS OF THE DAY (5 days): +$43
FRIDAY AT THE SPA: The $200K G2 SHUVEE STAKES for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up headlines the 10-race card. Lots of great racing ahead for the weekend. The card also offers several playable allowance and claiming contests. Keep an eye on the weather as Mr. Ed plans to post exclusive VSiN full coverage of the playable contests.
