Churchill Downs Picks for Friday, November 28:
HORSING AROUND: There’s nothin’ quite like digging into a 12-race menu at Churchill Downs (featuring a pair of excellent stakes) to help one digest the turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn bread stuffing and pumpkin pie. Followed by a fistful of Tums, a three-hour nap and a trio of NFL games (on tape) — and Mr. Ed’s ready to serve up some winners. That is, if the showers stay away. Black Friday weather is expected to be unsettled. First post is 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN picks.
Mr. Ed’s Selections for Churchill Downs on Friday, 11/28
Race 1 (1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT) — $48K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 2YO fillies going 6 furlongs
Either of these to begin DD: #7 LOVING MISCHIEF (7-2 morning line) for top trainer Steve Asmussen with top rider Tyler Gaffalione aboard, and #9 LADY UPSTART (4-1) for conditioner Jordan Blair, who retains Jaime Torres to ride. Both appear able.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 7,9/1,6. ($20)
Race 2 (1:28 p.m. ET/10:28 a.m. PT) — $67K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 2YO fillies going 1 1/16-mile
To successfully complete the DD, Mr. Ed likes either of these: #1 HOT GOSSIP (3-1 morning line) for Brad Cox barn with top rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. in irons, or #6 TIZMATIC (5-2) for Will Walden with Axel Concepcion in the saddle. Money in the bank.
Race 3 (1:56 p.m. ET/10:56 a.m. PT) — $127K for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going a mile
Mr. Ed likes two of these three: #2 NECESSITY (7-2 morning line) for Norm Casse; #6 IVORY AND EBONY (5-2) for Kentucky trainer Dale Romans, and #7 TRUSTY TROUTMAN (4-1) for excellent horsewoman Lindsay Schultz. Name three sharp trainers, one of whom is a U.S. Senate candidate.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30).
Race 4 (2:24 p.m. ET/11:24 a.m. PT) — $64K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going a mile
Mr. Ed feels #9 THESTRAL (6-1 morning line) is real fine for the conditions. Lindsay Schultz’s mare gets a huge rider upgrade to Jose Ortiz. Nice price if you can get it.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place ($20)
Race 6 (3:25 p.m. ET/12:25 p.m. PT) — $134K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies & mares, 3YOs & Up going 1⅛-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed has a mudda like no udda, #3 POPPY THE PRINCESS (12-1 morning line), who’ll love the soft turf. Veteran jockey, Julien Leparoux, seeks a repeat for under-the-radar trainer Troy Newton. It’s Poppy — just in case it’s sloppy.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 10 (5:25 p.m. ET/2:25 p.m. PT) — G2 $300K MRS. REVERE STAKES for 3YO fillies going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed has a stakes-to-stakes DD to close out the day’s picks, beginning with the expensive #1 LUSH LIPS (7-5 morning line) for the hot Brendan Walsh barn, and Tyler Gaffalione, who seeks a repeat win; and #4 CLASSIC Q (3-1) Tip with Jose Ortiz.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 Daily Double of 1,4/3,4. ($40)
Race 11 (5:54 p.m. ET/2:54 p.m. PT) — G2 $600K CLARK STAKES for 3YOs going 1 ⅛-mile
Mr. Ed picks either of these to complete the DD: #4 GOSGER (4-1) with Luis Saez or #9 MAGNITUDE (9-2) with Jose Ortiz.
TOTAL WAGERS: $130
STARS OF TOMORROW ON TAP AT CHURCHILL DOWNS
Somewhere between family, food and football, Mr. Ed plans to handicap the 12-race Stars of Tomorrow card at Churchill Downs for Saturday, featuring the G2 $400K Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, which has produced seven winners of the Kentucky Derby. Sharpen your pencils, horseplayers. It’s not easy finding winners from fields full of 2YOs. MAKE NOTE: There are less than six months until the 2006 Kentucky Derby.
NFL Sunday
Minnesota Vikings +11.5
Record 6-6*
*against the spread
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