Churchill Downs Picks for Friday, October 31:
HORSING AROUND: The best greeting card Mr. Ed ever received read, “Don’t worry, friend, someday your ship will come in — and you’ll be at the railroad station!” That’s kind of how I feel with this column about racing at Churchill Downs. While most serious horseplayers are at Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup today and tomorrow, here’s Mr. Ed in Kentucky. However, it’s not what it appears to be. I’ve spent much of the last week vicariously (via PP charts, the Internet and my cell phone) at Del Mar handicapping all 14 of the BC races. Mr. Ed’s selections appear elsewhere on VSiN. I’m playing Churchill this week as a gift to subscribers from VSiN, mainly because interest in horse racing is far greater when a big event is happening. So, if you find yourself hungry for more than just the BC selections, belly up to the Internet, horseplayers, you’ve come to the right place. (Note: Ed’s Churchill picks for Friday appear below.)
TRACKING MR. ED: Unfortunately, while the rains at Churchill Downs finally ceased Thursday morning, the soggy conditions, sloppy and off the turf, remained. More than a dozen scratches left me and many other horseplayers scratching our heads in search of playable contests. When all was said and run, with the big-name riders at Del Mar for the BC, a pair of lesser-known pilots — Axel Concepcion and Mario Gutierrez — each had a pair of winners. At the windows, the average $2 Win ticket returned $13.20. Turning to Friday, first race at Churchill goes to post at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections.
Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs Picks for Friday, 10/31
Race 1 — $55K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed starts the day with two for DD: #1 ALTERED SHOT (4-1 morning line) for trainer Joe Sharp and jockey Axel Concepcion, who hope to return barn to winning ways. A true horse for the course. And #2 DEMI (3-1), trained by popular Randy Morse, ridden by Gabriel Saez. Who can ask for anything Moore?
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 1,2/2,5 ($20)
Race 2 (1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT) — $83K STARTER ALLOWANCE for 2YO fillies going a mile
Mr. Ed likes #2 HIT PARADE (5-1 morning line) for top trainer Brad Cox, who upgrades rider to veteran Florent Geroux, and #5 REVEL TOAST (8-5) for Tom Amoss barn, to complete DD.
Race 3 (2:01 p.m. ET/11:01 a.m. PT) — $37K CLAIMING for 3YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
While #5 FLOTATION STATION (6-1 morning line) hasn’t scored in a while, rapidly improving jockey Keith Asmussen knows 4YO and the trainer is ready to get him back to the Winner’s Circle. And, father Steve knows best.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 4 (2:33 p.m. ET/11:33 a.m. PT) — $127K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 2YO fillies and mares going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed loves his #3 MY SWEETHEART (4-1 morning line) for HOF trainer Mark Casse with jockey Vince Cheminaud, who rides the filly for the first time. If she breaks well, others may never catch her.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 5 (3:14 p.m. ET/12:14 p.m. PT) — $141K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs going 5½ furlongs on the turf
I #5 CAN’T DENY IT (5-2 morning line), I’m a big fan of gelding trained by Larry Rivelli and jockey Jareth Loveberry. He’s ready to win his third consecutive race.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (4:31 p.m. ET/1:31 p.m. PT) — $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 7 furlongs
Anyone who follows Mr. Ed knows he likes up-and-coming KY-based trainer Whit Beckman, so here’s an opportunity to bet on his promising young coed #6 RASPBERRY (4-1 morning line). Jamie Torres, subbing for Jose Ortiz, rides today.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win & $5 Exacta Boxes with 1&5. ($30)
Races 7-10 (4:31 p.m. ET/1:31 p.m. PT) — $.50 PICK 4*
R7: 1,5,6
R8: 1,4,7
R9: 2,5,8,10
R10: 5,7 ($36)
* In the event of a scratch, the post-time favorite becomes the substitute pick.
TOTAL WAGERS:$ 136
SIGN OF THE APOCALYPSE: The Breeders’ Cup, Game 6 of the World Series, and Halloween all on the same evening. And, what if Mr. Ed also had a winner? The bewitching hour?
