Race Selections for July 6th in Saratoga:
The Saratoga Racing Festival on July 6, 2023, showcased a series of exciting races, with Fionn's victory in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational standing out as a notable highlight.
In the mile and an eighth race, Fionn, under the expert guidance of jockey Flavien Prat, delivered a strong finish to upset the post-time favorite Nitrogen. Trainer Brad Cox praised Fionn's effort, calling it a legitimate win over a tough opponent and highlighting a well-timed ride that allowed her to take the lead in the final stretch.
The victory by Fionn follows a strong presence by Mark Casse's barn during the July 4th Racing Festival. Classic Q won the Listed Wild Applause, while Bring Theband Home, trained by Casse, achieved a near-North American record time on the firm Mellon turf with a 109 Beyer Speed Figure in the Listed Harvey Pack.
Saratoga Racing Festival continues to uphold its reputation as a venue for competitive, high-quality stakes racing. In the prior year, favourites with odds 4-1 or lower had a strong win rate of 65.3%, though the average favourite win rate remains around 34.1%. Top trainers such as Chad Brown, Todd Pletcher, Bill Mott, and Brad Cox have been dominant figures at Saratoga, with Cox's horses hitting the board 65% of the time recently.
On July 6, notable performances included Katie Davis riding #9 GATTATIZ in Race 10, a $50K Maiden Claiming for NY-bred fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 51⁄2 furlongs on the turf. For Race 2 on Sunday (07/06), Mr. Ed picked the alliterative pair of #5 MAX MONEY (9-2 morning line) and #6 TOGA TWIST (5-2).
In Race 7, a $63K Optional Claiming for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 51⁄2 furlongs on the turf, Mr. Ed bet on #1 MIGHTY ERIU (2-1 morning line), with Irad Ortiz, Jr. riding. The SARATOGA SELECTION for Race 7 was a $10 to Win & $5 Exacta Box with 3,4,5, costing $40.
Jockey Flavien Prat booted home five winners, including the Oaks victor, during Saratoga Racing Festival Day 3. Trainers Bill Mott and Brad Cox each had a pair of winners, while Jose Ortiz had a pair of scores. The average $2 Win ticket returned $9.03 at the windows during the festival.
The annual 40-day meet at Saratoga starts on Thursday and ends on Labor Day. Mr. Ed's exclusive VSiN.com selections will be available throughout the meet. The $.50 Pick 4 for Races 7-10 has a total cost of $32. For Race 1 on Sunday (07/06), Mr. Ed likes chalky two of the five: #1 ANTONIO OF VENICE (2-1 morning line) and #5 ONE NINE HUNDRED (9-5).
The longshot of the day for Race 10 was #9 GATTATIZ (6-1 morning line). For Race 3 on Sunday (07/06), Mr. Ed likes #3 YOUKNOWNOTHING (3-1 morning line) in the marathon for ladies.
The Saratoga Racing Festival continues to deliver thrilling races and memorable moments, with Fionn's victory in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational being a standout performance. Stay tuned for more updates as the meet progresses.
In the exciting world of horse-racing, trainer Brad Cox saw one of his horses, Fionn, win the mile and eighth race at the Saratoga Racing Festival, upsetting the post-time favorite Nitrogen with a strong finish and a well-timed ride. This victory, a legitimate win over a tough opponent, comes as no surprise given the strong presence of Mark Casse's barn during previous festivals, with their horses consistently delivering high odds and impressive performances in sports-analysis.
