Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks:
TRACKING MR. ED: Talk about a competitive Day 11 at the Spa. Ten races and ten different trainers found their way to the Winner’s Circle, while the lone jockey to capture two races was local star Manny Franco. Mr. Ed had a winning selection, and his longshot play of the day paid both Place and Show backers. The average $2 Win ticket returned $17.20. Saratoga Springs weather forecast: Blue skies and sunshine are expected throughout the weekend. Let’s look at Friday’s Saratoga picks.
LOOKING AHEAD: The G2 $500K Jim Dandy Stakes for 3YOs going 1 ⅛-mile heads a challenging 12-race card at Saratoga on Saturday. Here’s the Jim Dandy lineup by post position with morning line odds: 1. Sierra Leone (1-1) 2. Seize the Gray (6-1) 3. Batten Down (5-1) 4. Pony Express (20-1) 5. Gould’s Gold (15-1) and 6. Fierceness (9-5). Post time for the race, a major stepping stone to The G1 $1 million Travers Stakes on August 24, is 5:43 p.m. ET/2:43 p.m. PT. The G2 Amsterdam Stakes (Race 3) tops Friday’s 10-race card. Now, let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s selections.
Mr. Ed’s Best Bets at Saratoga for Friday, July 26
Race 1 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $40K CLAIMING for 4YO & up going 1 Mile
Mr. Ed likes two: #5 KHAFRE (3-1 morning line) for veteran trainer Ray Handal and sharp jockey Dylan Davis & #6 VALENZAN DAY (3-1) for trainer Michelle Nevin and rider Jose Antonio Gomez.
SARATOGA PICK: Both in the first leg of $5 Daily Double.
Race 2 (1:44 p.m. ET/10:44 a.m. PT) — $50K MAIDEN CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 5 ½ furlongs on turf
I like three to complete Daily Double: #1 GENEROUS LUVA (7-2 morning line), conditioned by Dick Dutrow and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.; #9 SUPERSTARSUSAN (6-1), ridden by Katie Davis and conditioned by Dave Dugan, and #10 MAJULU (4-1), trained by Rob Atras, ridden by Manny Franco.
SARATOGA PICK: $5 Daily Doubles with 5,6 in first race. ($30)
Race 3 (2:18 p.m. ET/11:18 a.m. PT) — G2 $200K AMSTERDAM STAKES for 3YOs going 6 ½ furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #5 VALENTINE CANDY (3-1 morning line) for top trainer Steve Asmussen, who brings Joel Rosario back to ride. Son of Triple Crown winner Justify has won five of 10 lifetime starts and has banked nearly $500K. How sweet it is.
SARATOGA PICK: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:52 p.m. ET/11:52 a.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for fillies and mares 4YOs & up at a mile
Mr. Ed likes probable favorite #7 CHI TOWN LADY (9-5 morning line) for Wesley Ward, who brings Jose Ortiz back to ride after finishing fourth in G3 Chicago Stakes at Churchill Downs. Class relief is the key to score. Luck be a lady.
SARATOGA BEST PICK: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 5 (3:27 p.m. ET/12:37 p.m. PT) — $50K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on turf
My pick is #7 ROYAL BROWNE (5-2 morning line), son of Big Brown. Irad Ortiz Jr. returns to saddle for NY conditioner Dick Detrow, who stretches the gelding out while moving him to turf for his third start as he drops into claimer.
SARATOGA PICK: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 7 (4:35 p.m. ET/1:35 p.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going 1 ⅜-mile on turf
Mr. Ed likes a trio of grass specialists: #2 VESTING (5-2 morning line), making the third start for top-rated trainer Chad Brown; #5 BETTER BET (7-2), with Irad Ortiz Jr., and heavy favorite #11 DREAMLIKE (1-2).
SARATOGA PICK: $5 Exacta box. ($30)
Race 8 (5:10 p.m. ET/2:10 p.m. PT) — $115K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 5 ½ furlongs on turf
My money is going on #6 SURVEILLANCE (6-1 morning line) for sharp trainer Mike Maker, who retains Jose Ortiz to ride. Veteran gelding moves to turf and drops in class for first Spa start after campaigning in South.
SARATOGA PICK: $10 to Win and $5 Daily Doubles with 1,8,9 in Race 9. ($25)
TOTAL WAGERS: $135
