Ed's Saratoga picks:
Ed's Tracking: Traverse Day lived up to its pre-show hype, “The Fourth Best Day in American Horse Racing.” The program had it all: the best thoroughbreds, the most talented jockeys and trainers in the sport, some very smart fans, and blue skies and sunshine all across upstate New York. Impressive winners included Traverse champion FIERCENESS and champion sprinters Domestic Product and Mullikin. The race featured some great performances from jockey Flavien Prat, who reached the winner's circle four times, Tyler Gaffalione and Joel Rosario, who won three times each, Johnny Velasquez, who won a thrilling Traverse race, and trainers Mark Casse and Todd Pletcher, who won two times each. The average payout for a $2 ticket was $15.56. So, what are the predictions for Saratoga on Sunday?
Sunday at the Spa: Day 34 of the annual 40-day meet will see New York's best thoroughbreds compete in stakes, allowances and claiming contests. The first of 11 races is scheduled for a 1:10pm ET/10:10am PST start time.
Sunday, August 25th: Ed's recommendation from Saratoga
Race 3 (2:15 p.m. ET/11:15 a.m. PT) — $100,000 allowance claim for New York-bred horses aged 3 and up over seven furlongs
I like four for the price of three: Meltkan Stable's #1 BARESE and #1A DAUFUSKIE ISLAND (both on the morning line 7-2), ridden by New York natives Manny Franco and Dylan Davis, respectively, #2 ELYSIAN MEADOWS (4-1) is ridden by Bill Mott and Junior Alvarado, and #3 BOURBON CHASE (2-1) is ridden by Luis Saez.
Saratoga Pick: $5 Exacta box. ($30)
Race 6 (3:53 p.m. ET/12:53 p.m. PT) — $90,000 Maiden Special Weight for 2-year-old New York-bred fillies over 5 1/2 furlongs on turf
Ed's pick is #4 Charlotte's Heart (morning lines are 3-1), one of Mark Case's talented young riders, ridden by Javier Castellano in his first start. Ed needs a heart.
Saratoga Pick: $10 to win and second place. ($20)
Race 7 (4:28 p.m. ET/1:28 p.m. PT) — 1 1/16-mile turf race for New York-bred horses aged 3 and up, with a purse of $95,000
I'm favoring the hapless Mike Trombetta stable's 4-year-old No. 9, Lakeside Getaway (7-2 morning line), who will be ridden by Jose Lezcano for the third straight time after two close calls.
Saratoga Prediction: Ten dollars ($10) to win
Race 8 (5:05 p.m. ET/2:05 p.m. PST) — $200,000 Fleet Indian Stakes for 3-year-old New York-bred fillies run over 1⅛ miles.
Ed has three fillies on his bets: #2 LANDED (5-2 morning line) ridden by the powerful duo of Wesley Ward and Johnny Velazquez, #4 DOLOMITE (5-1) ridden by Chad Brown with Manny Franco as the jockey, and #8 MY MANE SQUEEZE (8-5) from the powerful Mike Maker stable ridden by Luis Saez.
Saratoga Pick: $5 Exacta box. ($30)
Race 9 (5:42 p.m. ET/2:42 p.m. PST) — $200,000 Funny Cide Stakes for New York-bred 2-year-olds over six furlongs.
My pick is #7 Under Who's Radar (3-1 on the morning line). Talented trainer Mike Maker returns top jockey Elad Ortiz Jr. after his first win earlier in the meet. Her early speed should help him get past the outside.
Saratoga Pick: Win $10, Daily Double $5: 7&5. ($15)
Total bet: $105
