Editor's note: last summer, Ed Sehon (aka Mr. Ed) called this column "Saratoga on (about) $100 a Day." This year, he's just doing the weekend cards (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays) but still approaching each day with around $100 in plays as if he was just trying to beat the races on a given day. Here are his plays for Friday as we enter the 5th weekend of the meet:
Races 2-5 (1:39 p.m. ET/10:39 a.m. PT)
I like a $0.50 early Pick 4
Race 2: ALL (1-6)
Race 3: 6
Race 4: 1,3,6
Race 5: 2,3,4,6,7
(cost $45)
Race 4 (2:49 p.m. ET/11:49 a.m. PT)
Mr. Ed thinks #6 Queen of Lies (7-2 morning line) is a sneaky standout for several reasons: she’s sprinter stretching out and dropping in class; veteran trainer Anthony Dutrow on comeback trail; top turf rider Joel Rosario climbs aboard. Wager: $10 to Win and $2 Exacta Boxes of 1,3,6.
(cost $22)
Race 5 (3:21 p.m. ET/12:21 p.m. PT)
I like #4 Khafre (5-2 morning line). A long-time fan of super-savvy trainer Jimmy Jerkens, I’m rooting for his barn as Jimmy thins the herd to concentrate on quality over quantity. It’s a work in progress, but Mr. Ed is confident that stable is on the right track. Expensive son of American Pharoah moves from turf to dirt while taking a significant drop in class. Tyler Gaffalione returns to ride. Wager: $10 to Win and $2 Exacta Boxes of 4 with 2,3,6,7.
(cost $26)
Race 6 (3:55 p.m. ET/12:55 p.m. PT)
#3 Mashnee Girl (3-1 morning line) returns to sprinting in an effort to use natural speed to steal $125,000 Union Avenue Handicap vs. evenly matched field of state-bred fillies and mares. Wager: $10 Win and Place.
(cost $20)
Race 7 (4:29 p.m. ET/1:29 p.m. PT)
Saving my BEST BET for last, I’m betting #5 Al Qahira (7-2 morning line) improves enough in second race off layoff to capture optional claimer at a mile on the turf. Trainer-jockey combo of Bill Mott-Jose Ortiz and Mr. Ed all looking to bounce back from recent rough trips. Wager: $20 to Win.
(cost $20)
TOTAL WAGERS (halfway through meet): $1,208.00
TICKETS CASHED: $669.25
NET LOSS: -$538.75
TOTAL FRIDAY WAGERS: $133