Mr. Ed's Saratoga Best Bets for Friday, recap of Thursday's opening-day card

Recap of Saratoga opening day, Friday Best Bets

YESTERDAY’S NEWS: Maiden, first-time-starter Becky’s Joker romped home at 21-1 to capture the featured Schuylerville Stakes for popular, reborn NY-based trainer Gary Contessa and rejuvenated jockey Javier Castellano … Deep meet? Eleven races, 11 different winning trainers … As for riders, the aforementioned Castellano, Flavien Prat and Irad Ortiz Jr. each had two winners … Average Win payoff for 10-race card was $13.10 … Win sum: Mr. Ed cashed on two plays for $42.75 from $93 wagered for a net loss (lose sum) of 50.25 … Welcome to Day 2 at the Spa!

TODAY AT SARATOGA: The $150,000 Coronation Cup (Race No. 9, 5:44 p.m. ET/2:44 p.m. PT) highlights the 10-race card. A field of eight sophomore fillies are entered in highly competitive turf sprint (see my picks below) … First race post time is 1:10 p.m. ET.

Mr. Ed dives right into deep end of multi-race pool with $1 Pick 3

Race 1: 1,2,5,6,8

Race 2: 3

Race 3: 1,4,6,7,9 ($25)

Race No. 4 (2:52 p.m. ET/11:52 a.m. PT)

Mr. Ed’s PLAY OF THE DAY. The Wilton stakes for 3-year-old fillies appears to be a lock for #5 RANDOMIZED (7-5 morning line). Chad Brown-trained sophomore daughter of Nyquist towers over five-filly field. Irad takes reins. Don’t think twice at chalky price. Wager: $20 to Win. ($20)

Race No. 5 (3:26 p.m. ET/12:26 p.m. PT)

There’s nothing better than a little #7 WHISKEY AND WINE (8-1 morning line) for those willing to take a shot and chaser. Mr. Ed likes in-the-money finish for previously troubled daughter of super sire More Than Ready. We’ll drink to that. Wager: $3 top-and bottom Exacta Boxes of 7 with 1 and 9. ($12)

Race No. 7 (4:34 p.m. ET/1:34 p.m. PT)

Mr. Ed thinks it’s about time for #3 NO MORE TALK (2-1 morning line) to return to the Winner’s Circle in this open $16,000 claimer. The 10-year-old veteran gelded campaigner knows how to get job done (85-14-17-12) for savvy NY trainer David Jacobson. Irad Ortiz Jr. picks up mount from younger brother. Class drop seals deal. Wager: $10 to Win. ($10)

Race No. 9 (5:44 p.m. ET/2:44 p.m. PT)

It’s hard not to like George Weaver’s seasoned #1 MY SWEET AFFAIR (7-2 morning line). Daughter of Twirling Candy, this gal has proven herself to be one tough cookie in all four of her previous starts. Speedy recent work over Oklahoma training turf, favorable post and huge rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz Jr. point to maximum effort. How sweet she is. Wager: $10 to Win and $3 three-way Exacta Box of 1,2,4. ($28 total)