Mr. Ed’s Saratoga and Kentucky Downs Picks:
WELCOME TO KENTUCKY DOWNS: Located 20 miles east of Nashville, TN, each year, the rural track offers a unique seven-day race meet spread over two weeks surrounding Labor Day. This year’s racing dates are August 29 & 31 and September 1,6,7,8 & 11. Over the last decade or so, the meet has grown in popularity mainly due to its big fields and rich purses, i.e., maidens competing for $170K and stakes purses topping $2 million. The all-turf course is over farmland full of undulations and a lengthy, uphill home stretch, i.e., think a steeplechase course without hurdles. Beginning today, Mr. Ed will fold Kentucky Downs into his handicapping mix over the next few weeks. First race post time at KD today is 1:25 p.m. ET/10:25 a.m. PT. Let’s take a look at today’s Saratoga and Kentucky Downs picks.
TRACKING MR. ED: A series of longshots blew up the tote board Wednesday at the Spa with the average $2 Win ticket on the eight flat races returning an average $22.27. The $.50 Pick 5 paid $43,390. Jockey Luis Saez led all trainers and riders with four trips to the Winner’s Circle. Racing at Saratoga resumes today at 1:10 a.m. ET/10:10 p.m. PT.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga & Kentucky Downs Picks for Thursday, August 29
SARATOGA Race 5 (3:21 p.m. ET/12:21 p.m. PT) — $60K CLAIMING for fillies and mares 4YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes three: #4 IT TAKES HEART (6-1 morning line) for trainer Wayne Potts with jockey Manny Franco; #5 TOSCONOVA BEAUTY (10-1) for Linda Dixon and Katie Davis, #8 SHESALITTLE EDGY (8-5) for Linda Rice and Irad Ortiz Jr.
SARATOGA PICK: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
SARATOGA Race 6 (3:53 p.m. ET/12:53 p.m. ET) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going a mile
I like #3 FIDDLING FELIX (9-2 morning line) for respected KY-based trainer Whit Beckman, who stretches the horse out after two rather dull first efforts. Gets blinkers for a second time. Javier Castellano picks up mount. Plays a winning tune.
SARATOGA PICK: $10 Win. ($10)
SARATOGA Race 7 (4:28 p.m. ET/1:28 p.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on turf
My selection is #6 COMMANDER OF TRUTH (7-2 morning line) for top trainer Chad Brown, who refuses to give up on the colt after three so-so results. Rider change to high-riding Flavien Prat a plus. Blinkers off. Mr. Ed can handle the truth.
SARATOGA PICK: $10 to Win. ($10)
KENTUCKY DOWNS Race 8 (5:16 p.m. ET/2:16 p.m. PT) — $100K OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 6 ½ furlongs on turf
Mr. Ed likes #8 ACCOMPLISHED GIRL (5-1 morning line) for winningest all-time trainer Steve Asmussen who hires Jose Ortiz (in from Spa) to ride. Willing to forgive last poor effort in Louisiana, steady works say she’s ready. Go girl!
KENTUCKY DOWNS PICK: $10 to Win. ($10)
KENTUCKY DOWNS Race 9 (5:49 p.m. ET/2:49 p.m. PT) — $190K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 6 ½ furlongs on turf
My selection is #12 SAM’S TREASURE (5-2 morning line) vans southwest from Saratoga seeking a second straight score. Jockey Joel Rosario was along for the ride. Masterful sprint trainer Wesley Ward removes blinkers. All signs point to Winner’s Circle.
KENTUCKY DOWNS PICK: $20 to Win. ($20)
SARATOGA RACE 10 (6:16 p.m. ET/3:16 p.m. PT) — G3 $175K WITH ANTICIPATION STAKES for 2YOs going 1 1/16-mile on turf
I like everything about my choice, #8 CAVALLO BAY (3-1 morning line). The British trainer, Charley Appleby is top-notch, especially on grass. Dylan Davis gets the mount. The colt won two of his first three before shipping over the Atlantic. It all adds up to positive result.
SARATOGA BEST PICK: $20 to Win. ($20)
KENTUCKY DOWNS Race 11 (6:55 p.m. ET/3:55 p.m. PT) — $170K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going a mile on turf
My final selection of the day is #12 CHAPMAN’S PEAK (7-2 morning line) for the high-percentage winning team of trainer Brad Cox and jockey Florent Geroux. Works indicate expensive son of Quality Road in peak condition.
KENTUCKY DOWNS PICK: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $120
FRIDAY FLASH: There is a Pick 6 carryover. The 12-race card at Saratoga features the traditional G3 $175KSaranac Stakes for 3YOs. The race (No. 6 at 3:20 ET/12:20 p.m. PT) has drawn a field of six late-blooming sophomores going 1 1/16-mile over the Mellon Turf Course. Look for Mr. Ed’s Saratoga selections on VSiN.com. Kentucky Downs is dark, but action resumes there on Saturday with an all-turf 11-race program.
