Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks:
TRACKING MR. ED: Manny Franco was the lone rider to win a pair of races on Wednesday, while there were no multiple-race winning trainers. Tyler Gaffalione won the finale, closing the day within five scores of leading jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. The average $2 Win ticket returned $14.44, fueled by four double-digit payoffs. On to Thursday’s Saratoga picks.
THURSDAY AT THE SPA: If today’s 10-race card were a bird, it would be a turkey — without stuffing. From beginning to end, and every race in between, there is little to write about. So, consider Mr. Ed’s picks, but bet them at your own risk. Good news: Sunshine and high in the 80s expected. Racing begins at 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT. Here are my exclusive VSiN selections:
Mr. Ed’s Best Bets at Saratoga for Thursday, August 15
Race 1 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT) — $95K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, NY-bred 2YOs going 6 ½ furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #9 KEEPINITREAL (4-1 morning line) with the meet’s hottest rider, Tyler Gaffalione, for top trainer Chad Brown. A solid string of works points to preparedness.
SARATOGA PICK: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 2 (1:49 p.m. ET/10:49 a.m. PT) — $65K CLAIMING, 4YOs & up going 5 ½ furlongs on turf
I like #7 CHESS MASTER (3-1 morning line). A veteran of 49 starts, the 8YO picks up top rider Flavien Prat for overdue trainer Jorge Abreu. Rested & ready to score. Checkmate.
SARATOGA PICK: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:55 p.m. ET/11:55 a.m. PT) — $50K CLAIMING, 4YOs & up going a mile
SARATOGA LONG SHOT BET OF DAY: Mr. Ed likes #3 GEEBERT (8-1 morning line) shipping up from PARX for wiseguy trainer Juan Carlos Guerrero, who picks his spots as well as anyone. Jockey Kendrick Carmouche knows this guy, having ridden him on his home oval. Stretch out fits the closing style. Gee wiz.
SARATOGA PICK: $5 to Win & Place. ($10)
Race 5 (3:29 p.m. ET/12:39 p.m. PT) — MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for NY-bred 3YOs & up going six furlongs
Mr. Ed’s putting his money on second-time starter #6 CONCORDE SPIRIT (5-2 morning line) for Bill Mott and his go-to rider Junior Alvarado. Debut was nothing to write about, but Mott’s second-timers score at a 25% rate, and this guy is the son of super-sire Uncle Mo. Come fly with me.
SARATOGA PICK: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 7 (4:36 p.m. ET/1:36 p.m. PT) — $125K RICK VIOLETTE STAKES for NY-bred 3YOs going 5 ½ furlongs on turf
I like a trio: #2 FIDELIGHTCAYUT (9-2 morning line) with Jose Ortiz riding; #3 INSTAMATIC (7-2) with Kendrick Carmouche, and #6 RUSSIAN REALM (3-1) ridden by Flavien Prat. Take the photo.
SARATOGA PICK: $5 Exacta box. ($30)
Race 8 (5:10 p.m. ET/2:10 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 1 ⅛-mile
Mr. Ed likes #2 DONEGAL FOREVER (2-1 morning line), gets the super trainer-jockey combo of Todd Pletcher and Tyler Gaffalione, replacing Irad Ortiz Jr., who is serving a three-day suspension. Son of Pioneerof the Nile, shorter distance works to 4YO’s advantage.
SARATOGA BEST BET OF DAY: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 9 (5:45 p.m. ET/2:45 p.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on turf
I like first-time starter #5 AMPLITUDE (3-1 morning line) for Chad Brown barn with Flavien Prat in the irons and #7 NEW YORK SCRAPPY (9-2) for Mark Casse and Jose Ortiz.
SARATOGA PICK: $5 Daily Double of 5,7/5,10 in finale. ($20)
Race 10 (6:19 p.m. ET/3:19 p.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 5 ½ furlongs on turf
Mr. Ed likes #5 LESLIE’S HUMOR (4-1 morning line) for Christophe Clement and Flavien Prat and #10 RISK THRESHOLD (7-2) for Chad Brown and Joel Rosario to complete Daily Double.
TODAY WAGERS: $120
FRIDAY AT THE SPA: Very good card, highlighted by the $125K UNION AVENUE HANDICAP for NY-bred fillies and mares going 6 furlongs. Of the 11 races, five will be on the turf. Top trainers have multiple entries and popular riders, with the exception of Irad Ortiz Jr., all have live mounts. Ortiz will complete his three-day suspension and is scheduled to return to the races on Saturday.
