Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Thursday, July 3:
SARATOGA RETURNS WITH FOUR-DAY RACING FESTIVAL: Beginning today, Saratoga Race Track will treat racing fans to the first four-day Saratoga Racing Festival. Highlighting the patriotic July 4th celebration will be 10 stakes, including today’s Race 3 VICTORY RIDE and Race 8 WILD APPLAUSE.
ONE SHORT & SWEET SARATOGA MEET: “Slow down, Eddie.” Ever since I can remember, I recall being admonished by my mother and others, including Ms. Ed. Starting in grade school and continuing through high school, college, graduate school, and my communications career, I’ve been told to slow down. With the beginning of 44 days of racing at Saratoga, it may very well be the best advice Mr. Ed can offer horseplayers. Relax, study the PPs, have that second cup of coffee, enjoy the feel of cash unspent in your pocket. Try to wait a week before placing your first bet on the famed Upstate New York race track. It’s OK to handicap each card and watch the races; just no wagering. In the immortal words of Yogi Berra, “You can learn a lot by just observing.” Watch the races and note which trainers and jockeys are doing well, and those who are ice cold in July. Be aware of prevailing track conditions. And finally, the best advice Mr. Eddie can offer: Slow down, readers, and — do as I say, not as I do. Here are my opening day picks.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks for Thursday, 07/03
Race 3 (2:15 p.m. ET/11:15 a.m. PT) — $175K G3 VICTORY RIDE STAKES for 3 YO fillies going 6½ furlongs
Mr. Ed bets the speedy #2 HOLLYGROVE (6-1 morning line) will upset the field of six in the meet’s first stakes. Trained by up-and-coming trainer Whit Beckman, while HOF jockey Johnny Velazquez returns to ride after a sharp effort in the Miss Preakness stakes. Risk and reward.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 4 (2:48 p.m. ET/11:48 a.m. PT) — $38K MAIDEN CLAIMING for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 6½-furlongs
I like a trio: #6 CANDY IS DANDY (8-1 morning line) with promising young rider Katie Davis; #7 RAGTIME SIZZLE (2-1), with jockey change to Jose Ortiz, and #8 UNWOKE (5-1) with Flavien Prat returning to the saddle.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 5 (3:21 p.m. ET/12:21 p.m. PT) — $63K CLAIMING for 3YO fillies going 6½ furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #1 SASSY SHENANIGANS (5-2 morning line) for excellent trainer Michael Maker, who hires Luis Saez to ride. Class drop just what the gal needs to prevail.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 6 (3:53 p.m. ET/12:53 p.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 5½ furlongs
#2 IRON ORCHARD (9-5 morning line), Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY, is worst kept secret on the backstretch following string of sizzling works for veteran trainer Danny Gargan. Joel Rosario rides a blossoming young filly. Speed to spare.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Races 7-10 (4:28 p.m. ET/1:28 p.m. PT) — $.50 Pick 4
R7: 3,7
R8: 2,5,6,7
R9: 1,5,8
R10: 3,4,10 ($36)
Race 10 (6:12 p.m. ET/3:12 p.m. ET) — $110K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 5½ furlongs on the turf
I like three for the money: #3 LA SALVADORENA (7-2 morning line) with Flavien Prat riding; #4 LESLIE’S HUMOR (4-1) with standout NY jockey Manny Franco, and Irish-bred #10 TALES OF THE HEART (9-2) with regular rider Junior Alvarado on board. Strictly a laughing matter for Mr. Ed’s three fast fillies.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $146
JULY 4 CELEBRATION AT SARATOGA: A patriotic picnic celebration including $1 Carnegie Deli hot dogs (a favorite of Mr. Ed’s) features five stakes races headlined by the $750K G1 Belmont Derby. Three additional stakes are scheduled for Saturday. Mr. Ed will be offering his picks on VSiN.com for the long holiday weekend and return on Thursday for the beginning of the annual 40-day summer meet, which concludes on Labor Day.
