Saratoga Best Bets:
TRACKING MR. ED: The air was taken out of the Pick 6 carryover early when #11 Disco Delano won Race 5, paying $71.50. A few folks survived and cashed a $1 ticket for a whopping $256,661.50. While top rider Favien Prat fired a hat trick with three victories as none of Mr. Ed’s Best Bets came within a sniff of the Winner’s Circle. The fan non-wagering highlight of the day was international superstar Frankie Dettori, who after his winning the finale, treated fans to his famous flying dismount. Let’s take a look at Saturday’s Saratoga best bets.
TODAY AT THE SPA: Three excellent stakes, the G3 The Kelso (Race 2), the G1 Diana (Race 10) and G3 The Sanford (Race 11) highlight Saturday’s 11-race card. Post time for the first race is 12:35 p.m. ET/9:35 a.m. PT.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Best Bets for Saturday, July 13
Race 2 (1:07 p.m. ET/10:07 a.m. PT) — G3 $175K KELSO STAKES FOR 4YOs & up at a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes #5 CARL SPACKLER (2-1 morning line). While Secretariat was the greatest horse I ever saw run (winning 1973 Preakness), Kelso (horse of the year five consecutive years (1960-1964) is Mr. Ed’s all-time favorite. Trained by Chad Brown, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Carl is no Kelso, but he’s good enough to beat this bunch.
SARATOGA BEST BET OF DAY: $20 to Win ($20)
Race 4 (2:13 p,m. ET/11:13 a.m. ET) — $110 ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up at 7 furlongs
I’m willing to take a stab at #7 AGOO (15-1 morning line), trained by sharp Whit Beckman and ridden by red-hot Jose Ortiz. I’m willing to pitch dull effort in slop. Stretching out to a mile better suits his running style.
BEST SARATOGA PRICE PLAY: $5 to Win & Place. ($10)
Race 5 (2:46 p.m. ET/11:46 a.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up at 1 1/16-mile on turf
Mr. Ed likes #7 RAMBLIN’ WRECK (4-1 morning line). NY-bred gelding may be a long way from Georgia Tech, but he looks like a deep threat a la a wide receiver. Trained by my go-to trainer Danny Gargan and ridden by HOFer Johnny Velasquez. No problem with the turn back in distance.
SARATOGA BEST BET: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (3:54 p.m. ET/12:54 p.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHTS for 2YOs at 5 ½ furlongs
As a handicapper, I have a love-hate relationship with popular trainer-TV analyst Tom Amoss. Nice enough guy, so when I’m on one of his horses that wins, I love him. However… get my drift? My pick is #7 MUNSON (6-1 morning line), ridden by Tyler Gaffalione. Named for the Yankee great, hope he runs like Kelso!
SARATOGA BEST BET: $5 to Win & Place. ($10)
Race 8 (4:29 p.m. ET/1:29 p.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHTS for 3YOs & up at 7 furlongs
I like four for the price of three: #1 HEDGE THE RISK and #1A CALL PROTECTION (both 10-1 morning line); #7 COMMUTED (5-1), #10 HURRICANE NELSON (3-1).
SARATOGA BEST BET: $5 Exacta Box of 1,7,10. ($30)
Race 10 (5:43 p.m. ET/2:43 p.m. PT) — G1 $500K DIANA STAKES for fillies and mares 4YO & up at 1 ⅛-mile on turf
In a field that includes five million-dollar earners, Mr. Ed likes one of them — Argentine-bred #4 DIDIA (7-2 morning line), winner of 11 of 17 with red-hot jock Jose Ortiz aboard, to finish first or second. Don’t cry, just win for me Argentina!
SARATOGA BEST BET: $5 EXACTA BOX 4 with 1,10. ($20)
Races 11&12 (6:17 p.m. ET/3:17 p.m. ET) — G3 $175K SANFORD STAKES for 2YOs going 6 furlongs
I like either of two #1 MENTEE (6-5 morning line) or #5 THREE ECHOES (4-1) to Win the first leg of the late Daily Double. I’ll couple them with #2 DR OSERAN (7-2) and #6 SUGAR GRAY LEONARD (6-1) in the finale.
SARATOGA BEST DAILY DOUBLE: 1&5 with 2&6 for $5. ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $120
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