Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Picks:
TRACKING MR. ED: Blue skies, sunshine and a fast track greeted racing fans and families upon their arrival at the Spa on the opening day of Travers Week. Unfortunately, overnight showers resulted in four of five scheduled turf races being moved to the main track. The John’s Call Stakes (Race 3), contested over soggy weeds, was won by Irish-born #6 Cathkin Peak. He returned $9.90 on a $2 Win ticket. The sizzling Mike Maker barn had three winners. The Ortiz Bros. each had a pair. On the chalkiest day to date, the average $2 Win ticket returned a meager $5.31! Weather forecast for Thursday: Partly cloudy, high in the 70s. Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s Saratoga picks.
Mr. Ed’s Best Bets at Saratoga Mr. Ed for Thursday, August 22
Race 2 (1:44 p.m. ET/10:44 a.m. PT) — The G2 $300K BALLSTON SPA, named for a village near the track, tops the action on the 10-race card. The stakes is restricted to fillies and mares 4YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf.
Mr. Ed likes #5 GINA ROMANTICA (9-5 morning line). Expensive ($1.025 million) daughter of super sire Into Mischief, mare drops in class following six consecutive G1 efforts vs. the very best older females. Trainer Chad Brown hires sharp Flavien Prat to ride. Top contenders include British invader #2 COPPICE and French import #4 BEAUTE CACHEE.
SARATOGA BEST BET: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 3 (2:18 p.m. ET/11:18 a.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 1 ⅜-mile on turf
I like three for the money: #1 IN TIME (3-1 morning line) with Dylan Davis; #4 GLITTERING LIGHTS (9-5) with Tyler Gaffalione, and #7 JUSTDENY (4-1)with Junior Alvarado.
SARATOGA PICK: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 4 (2:52 p.m. ET/11:52 a.m. PT) — $50K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 6 furlongs.
My pick is #6 MASTER OF ARMS (9-5 morning line). Trained by John Ortiz, whose stable has won 4 of 7 at the meet, seasoned gelding drops into claiming ranks. Armed and dangerous.
SARATOGA PICK: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 5 (3:27 p.m. ET/12:37 p.m. PT) — $55K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #4 FORTUNE’S NEPHEW (3-1 morning line). Veteran trainer Bruce Levine decides to try NY-bred gelding in open company. Works indicate that the gelding is ready to meet the challenge. Luis Saez in the irons for first time.
SARATOGA PICK: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 7 (4:35 p.m. ET/1:35 p.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1 ⅛-mile.
I’ll take a ride on #2 CENTRAL AVENUE (9-2 morning line). Only the second mount at Spa for veteran trainer Michael Stidham. The improving sophomore appears ready to claim her second win under leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr. Middle of the road pick.
SARATOGA PICK: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Races 8-10 (5:10 p.m. ET/2:10 p.m. PT)
Mr. Ed likes the following Pick 3:
R8: 1,3,6
R9: 4,10,11,14
R10: 1,2,6
SARATOGA BET: $1 Pick 3 ($36)
TOTAL WAGERS: $136
FRIDAY STAKES OF THE DAY
R5 $150K Smart N Fancy
For fillies and mares, 4YOs & up
5 ½ furlongs on turf
R10 G1 $500K Personal Ensign
For fillies and mares, 4YOs & up
1 ⅛-mile on turf
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