Churchill Downs Picks for Friday, May 22:
HORSING AROUND: Sneaking humbly into the VSiN newsroom after losing misfires in both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, a humiliated Mr. Ed was spared the celebratory mint juleps and black-eyed-Susan beverages, opting for short sips of Buffalo Trace with water back. Just like he watched, but never “saw” the unassuming, well-respected winner of the PGA Championship, there is no way he could have picked Golden Tempo and/or Napoleon Solo to capture the first two legs of the Triple Crown. Believe it or not, even Mr. Ed can’t pick ‘em all. And so, with a lighter wallet, yet a clear vision of future success for himself and VSiN followers, it’s onward and upward to the Belmont Stakes on June 6 at Saratoga. Man to man, Mr. Ed doubts Mr. Rai can go the mile-and-a-half. Friday’s nine-race card at Churchill Downs features a variety of allowance, claiming and maiden contests. With showers in the forecast, first post is at 12:45 p.m. ET/9:45 a.m. Here are Mr. Ed’s top picks.
Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs Picks for Friday, 5/22
Race 1 — $63K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes either of two to win Leg 1 of the early DD: #3 UP THE CREEK (7-5 morning line, with or without a paddle) with Cristian Torres aboard, and #4 SWEET BEBSI (4-1) with popular rider Adam Beschizza.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 3,4/1,11. ($20)
Race 2 (1:14 p.m. ET/10:14 a.m. PT) — $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 5½-furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed is betting on either of these to complete the DD: #1 WASHTON (6-1 morning line) for trainer Steve Asmussen with son Keith up; and #11 SHINING MOMENT (2-1) for the powerful pair of Wesley Ward and Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Race 3 (1:43 p.m. ET/10:43 a.m. PT) — $60K for 4YOs & Up going a mile
Mr. Ed’s picking #7 BOURBON’S FAULT (7-2 morning line) for savvy trainer Peter Miller with Florent Geroux riding. With Mr. Ed, it all depends on default label.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:13 p.m. ET/11:13 a.m. PT) — $37K CLAIMING for 3YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #1 COASTAL BREEZE (3-1 morning line) for sharp trainer Kinnon LaRose with journeyman jockey Brian Hernandez, shipper formerly with Tom Amoss, #2 YOU AIN’T POPPN (6-5) for excellent trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., with Tyler Gaffalione on board, and #7 LIVEHAPPY (9-2), for young trainer Jake Radosevich with Luan Machado riding.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 5 (2:45 p.m. ET/11:45 a.m. PT) — $62K STARTER ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3 YOs & Up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s PLAY OF THE DAY is #2 BEAUTIFUL TWICE (4-5 morning line) for trainer John Ortiz with a big rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz, Jr. Mr. Ed doubles his bet, doubles his money.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 6 (3:18 p.m. ET/12:18 p.m. PT) — $90K CLAIMING for 4YOs & Up going a mile on the grass
Mr. Ed has any two of three for the money: #2 BEEF WINSLOW (6-1 morning line) with Tyler Gaffalione aboard; classy #5 EXACT ESTIMATE (3-1), for Brad Cox barn with Irad Ortiz, Jr., and #6 HIGGINS BOAT (5-2) for savvy Larry Rivelli and Jareth Loveberry.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 7 (3:50 p.m. ET/12:50 p.m. PT) — $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going a mile
Mr. Ed likes #10 IN SCOPE (4-1 morning line), son of top sire Gun Runner, making his second start after a speedy debut for trainer Rusty Arnold with new rider Axel Concepcion. This guy can fly.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Races 7-9 (3:50 p.m. ET/12:50 p.m. PT) $1 Pick 3
R7: 7,8,10
R8: 2,3,4
R9: 2,3,10 ($27)
TOTAL WAGERS: $157
SATURDAY AT CHURCHILL DOWNS: Horseplayers can look forward to an 11-race card, headlined by the $300K KEERTANA STAKES, a marathon (1½-miles) on the turf for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up. The other 10 races, made up of challenging allowance, claiming and maiden contests, feature several top trainers and jockeys. Mr. Ed will return with his top selections for VSiN followers. Showers are expected.
