Saratoga Best Bets, news and notes
TRACKING MR. ED: I’d like to report a profit on yesterday’s selections. But, if I did, it would be stretching the truth — even if only by $0.60! Certainly a moral victory and further evidence that we are on the right track toward profitably. With only three days remaining in the Spa season, there is still a glimmer of hope. Unaudited numbers from Friday show $100 (after scratches) in bets and $99.40 in cashed tickets … As for today, I’ve decided to hop aboard the Irad Soul Train for several of my chalky plays … Here are today’s sections:
Race Nos. 1&2 (1:10 p.m. ET/10:10 a.m. PT)
$5 SPECIAL DAILY DOUBLE
Race No. 1 — 2,3,9
Race No. 2 — 5 (cost $15)
Race No. 3 (1:48 p.m. ET/10:48 a.m. PT)
Mr. Ed’s BEST BEST OF DAY. #2 MCKULICK (4-5) towers over field of four fillies and mares. Trainer Chad Brown retains leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr. for Grade 2 turf test. It looks like a walk over. Wager: $20 to Win ($20)
Race No 5. (2:52 p.m. ET/11:52 a.m. PT)
Mr. Ed likes #1 JERSEY PEARL (3-1 morning line). Trainer Darrin Miller hands whip to Irad Ortiz Jr. in effort to shake things up after ho-hum effort under Luis Saez in G1 Test Stakes earlier in the meet. Irad’s my main man. $10 to Win and Place. ($20)
Race No. 6 (3:26 p.m. ET/12:26 p.m. PT)
Mr. Ed likes #1 AGATE ROAD (3-1 morning line). All-Star team of Repole, Brown and Irad Ortiz Jr. sends out pricy colt for maiden turf voyage. He’s bred to roll over turf. The grass road to glory. Wager: $10 to Win and Place. ($20)
Race No. 7 (4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT)
I like #9 DIVE BOMBER (7-2 morning Line). Brad Cox gives a leg up to Joel Rosario on expensive son of Omaha Beach. Addition of blinkers adds to appeal. Bullet work says he’s ready. $10 to Win and Place. ($20)
Race No. 11 (6:18 p.m. ET/3:18 p.m. PT)
Mr. Ed likes a trio in the G1 $1 million Jockey Club: #1 PROXY (2-1 morning line) for Stidham-Rosario; #4 RADDLE N ROLL (9-5) for McPeak-Hernandez, and #5 CLAPTON (8-1) for Summers-Irad Ortiz Jr. Wager: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $125