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Saratoga Best Bets, news and notes
YESTERDAY’S SNOOZE: Inclement weather cost us the final four races, including the G2 National Museum of Racing HOF stakes. Before the 11-race program even got started, more than 30 entrants (at last count) were scratched, mostly from turf races as track conditions were listed as MUDDY and SOFT… All things considered, Mr. Ed got a $45 refund, holding his losses to $42. I’ll score it as a moral victory.
SPA STATS: Irad Ortiz Jr. continues to lead the jockey colony with 28 victories, nine more than Luis Saez. With 15 wins each, Linda Rice and Chad Brown top the trainer standings. To date, just below 40% of all winning tickets have been cashed on favorites.
TRACKING MR. ED: With the aforementioned $42 loss, after eight days of sharing my picks here on VSiN.com, I have wagered $835.00 and cashed $366.85 in tickets for a net loss of $468.15.
TODAY AT THE RACES: Outstanding 12-race card featuring five stakes, highlighted by fan favorite Cody’s Wish in the G1 Whitney (Race No. 11) and undefeated Maple Leaf Mel (Race No. 8). First race post time is 12:35 p.m. Here are my selections:
Race No. 3 (1:39 p.m. ET/10:39 a.m. PT)
Mr. Ed likes #8 VICTORIOUS WAVE (2-1 morning line) to wire the field. Trainer Chris Englehart ships in from Finger Lakes, where the speedy gelding won an allowance sprint last month. He stretches out to seven furlongs and gets reacquainted with Manny Franco, who has scored abord him before. Wager: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race No. 4 (2:11 p.m. ET/11:11 a.m. PT)
I’m betting on #2 SONIC SPEED (5-1 morning line) to get the job done on this stretch out for sharp trainer Tom Morley and the meet’s leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr. The turf specialist has proven ability to outrun his odds. Wager: $10 to Win and Place. ($20)
Race No. 5 (2:44 p.m. ET/11:44 a.m. PT)
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #2 ASYMMETRIC (7-2 morning line) for Chad Brown and Javier Castellano, #3 TWO FOR CHARGING (5-1) for Jorge Abreu and Flavien Pratt, and THANK YOU JON (9-2) for Chad Summers and Irad Ortiz Jr. Wager: $4 Exacta boxes. ($24)
Race No. 6 (3:17 p.m. ET/12:17 p.m. PT)
I like #4 CARAVEL (3-5 morning line) to stretch his win streak under Tyler Gaffalione to seven. The six-year-old Brad Cox trainee has banked nearly $2 million in career earnings. This gal is fast and should never look back in the G3 Troy Stakes. Wager: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race No. 8 (4:26 p.m. ET/1:26 p.m. PT)
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF DAY is #8 MAPLE LEAF MEL (2-1 morning line) who has never been headed in her previous five starts for her namesake trainer Melanie Giddings and Joel Rosario. Look for owner Bill Parcells to be smiling in the Winner’s Circle. Wager: $20 to Win and $5 Exacta boxes of 2, 5, 6. ($50)
Races Nos. 9-12 (5:01 p.m. ET/2:01 p.m. PT)
Mr. Ed likes a $0.50 Pick 4
Race 9: 1, 2, 5, 6
Race 10: 1, 5, 6
Race 11: 5, 7
Race 12: 1, 10, 12 (cost $36)
TOTAL WAGERS $160
