Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks:
TRACKING MR. ED: Today (No.10 of 40) marks the beginning of Week 3 at the Spa. While Mr. Ed is far from pleased with his lackluster Saratoga picks thus far, he’s confident that productive days lie ahead. Looking back at previous handicapping seasons at the Spa, the first few weeks have always been his roughest. Looking ahead, an excellent field is shaping up for the G1 Jim Dandy Stakes this Saturday. Race should be an exciting prep for the prestigious Travers Stakes for 3YOs, known as the mid-summer derby, on August 24 at the Spa.
WHO’S HOT: Flavien Prat leads the jockey standings with 12 wins, followed by Irad Ortiz Jr. with 11 and Tyler Gaffalione with 10. As for trainers, Chad Brown has 10 wins, followed by Todd Pletcher and Mark Casse with six apiece.
Mr. Ed’s Best Bets at Saratoga for Wednesday, July 24
TODAY AT THE SPA: First post time on the nine-race card is 1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. ET. Showers in the forecast. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s best bets.
Race 2 (1:44 p.m. ET/10:44 a.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO NY-breds going 5 ½-furlongs on turf
Mr. Ed likes #7 PAY THE JUICE (7-2 morning line) for Bill Parcells’ August Dawn Farm, trained by Shug McGaughey and ridden by meet leading jockey Flavien Prat. The expensive son of Omaha Beach is ready to fire at first asking. Juicy rewards.
SARATOGA PICKS: $10 to Win and $5 Daily Double with 3,7,9 in Race 3. ($25)
Race 3 (2:18 p.m. ET/11:18 a.m. PT) — $95K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares for NY-bred 3YOs & up at a mile
I like #7 MALU (9-2 morning line) for new owner-trainer Linda Rice. She retains Jose Ortiz, who was on board for Spa sprint score last month and now stretches out to a mile.
SARATOGA PICKS: $10 to Win & box in Exactas with 3,9. ($30)
Race 4 (2:52 p.m. ET/11:52 a.m. PT) — $45 MAIDEN CLAIMING for NY-bred 3YOs & up at a mile
My longshot of the day is #10 IRIE MAN (12-1 morning line), who stretches out for veteran NY-circuit owner-trainer Charlie Baker, who gives Flavien Prat a leg up for the third consecutive time (a charm). He’s my man.
SARATOGA PICKS: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)
Race 5 (3:26 p.m. ET/12:26 p.m. PT) — $60K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up at 1 1/16-mile on turf
Mr. Ed likes four: #1 INTERNAL CAPITAL & #1A DEVILSGOTACAUSE (9-2 morning line) for Dallas Stewart; #5 BRAMITO (8-1) for Norm Casse, and #10 WAITLIST (4-1) for Todd Pletcher. Mr. Ed can hardly wait.
SARATOGA PICKS: $5 Exacta box. ($30)
Race 6 (4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN CLAIMING for NY-bred fillies & mares 3YOs & up at 1 1/16-mile on turf
MTO #14 CINDERELLA’S CAUSE (1-1 morning line) is Mr. Ed’s rainy day special. If the race is taken off grass, I’m looking for this gal to romp for Linda Rice and her go-to rider Jose Lezcano.
SARATOGA PICKS: $10 To Win. ($10)
Race 7 (4:34 p.m. ET/1:34 p.m. PT) — $200K G2 HONORABLE MISS HANDICAP for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up at 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #8 MUNNYS GOLD (2-1 morning line) for the powerful pairing of Todd Pletcher & Irad Ortiz Jr. Expensive 4YO gal has won 4 of 7 lifetime sprinting. If she breaks on top, she’ll stay on top. Gold standard.
SARATOGA STAKES BET: $20 to Win.
TOTAL WAGERS: $130
