Saratoga Best Bets for Saturday
FRIDAY RECAP: Until the final race was flashing OFFICIAL (objection denied), Mr. Ed was afraid he was headed for the dreaded gambler’s goose egg. Thank goodness he was saved by a consolation late Daily Double paying $20.20 … So after five days of Spa action, I’ve posted $404.00 in wagers and cashed $218.35 worth of tickets for a net loss of $185.65 … As Mrs. Ed often reminds me, “It’s never too late to say it’s early.” Or, as the late, great John Madden often told his players, “Never mind the horse is blind, just load the wagon.” … Stick around, horseplayers. Mr. Ed is alive and picking.
SPA STATISTICS: With four wins on Friday, Irad Ortiz Jr. leads all riders with 14 victories, followed by brother Jose and Luis Saez with 8 … Jose Ortiz, who was injured in Friday’s first race, has been released from the hospital with bruised ribs. His return to racing is “day-to-day,” according to his agent … Linda Rice tops trainers with 9 wins, followed by Todd Pletcher and Chad Brown with 6 each.
NEWS & NOTES: Today is Haskell Day at Monmouth Park , featuring top 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles in first major sophomore test since Triple Crown races. Among those entered are Kentucky Derby winner Mage, Bluegrass champ Tapit Trice and Bob Baffert’s blooming star Arabian Knight. Post time for the Haskell Stakes is 5:45 p.m. ET/2:45 p.m. PT. (Mr. Ed will offer up several Monmouth picks later this morning as a contributing member of "Team Tuley’s Thoroughbred Takes" elsewhere on VSiN.com/horse-racing/.)
TODAY AT THE SPA: The 11-race card features two stakes for the ladies: A turf sprint, The Grade 3 Caress for older fillies and mares (Race No. 6, 3:52 p.m. ET/12:52 p.m. PT) and the prestigious Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks for sophomore fillies (Race No. 9, 5:42 p.m. ET/2:42 p.m. PT) at 1 1/8 miles on the dirt. Here are Mr. Ed’s bankroll plays for Saturday at the Spa:
Race No. 2 (1:42 p.m. ET/10:42 a.m. PT)
My pick is #2 DEPUTY CONNECT (3-1 morning line). For my money there’s no better current trainer-jockey team than Brad Cox-Flavien Prat. Southern invader stretches out to 1 1/8 miles following recent Place-Win-Place finishes. Improving speed figures and solid recent work inspire confidence. Consider Mr. Ed and posse deputized. Wager: $10 Win and Place, and $5 Daily Double of 2 and 2. ($25 total)
Race No. 3 (2:16 p.m. ET/11:16 a.m. PT)
I like #2 SPOOKY LADY (4-1 morning line). I’m counting on speedy gal to complete the Double — from gate to wire. Jockey Kendrick Carmouche very dangerous from inner-most post. Conditioner Rudy Rodriguez adds blinkers and cuts speedy filly back for turf sprint. Graduation day. Wager: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race No. 5 (3:18 p.m. ET/12:18 p.m. PT)
Mr. Ed’s PLAY OF THE DAY is Al Stall’s #6 HUNTRESS FOR HIRE (3-1 morning line) in pricy allowance for fillies and mares. Jockey Jose Ortiz, if he's able to go and not taken off his mounts, returns following maiden romp at Churchill. Gal’s got all the right moves to repeat at 7 furlongs. She’s hired for victory. Wager $10 Win, box in $3 Exactas with 1 and 8., and $5 Daily Double with 1. ($28)
Race No. 6 (3:52 p.m. ET/12:52 p.m. PT)
I like #1 OUR FLASH DRIVE (7-2 morning line) to complete the Daily Double by capturing the Grade 3 Caress Stakes. This speedy turf sprinter is on a three-race win streak and on top of her game. Mark Casse brings Dylan Davis in to ride. Wager: $10 Win. ($10)
Races Nos. 8-11 (5:02 p.m. ET/2:02 p.m. PT)
Mr. Ed likes a $.50 Pick 4
Race 8: 1,2
Race 9: ALL (1-6)
Race 10: 6,8,9
Race 11: 1,6,12 (cost $54)
Race 11 (6:52 p.m. ET/3:52 p.m. PT)
To close out the card and complete the Pick 4, Mr. Ed likes a trio: The entry of #1 CATCHYASOON and #1A FLYNT RIDGE (coupled at 7-2 on morning line), #6 SEVEN NATION ARMY (4-1) and #12 SCILLY CAY (6-1). Wager: $3 Exacta box of 1,6,12. ($18)
TOTAL WAGERS: $145