Churchill Downs Picks for Saturday, November 1:
HORSING AROUND: Those seeking a rider to play at Churchill Downs need look no further than Axel Concepcion, who has chalked up five wins over the past two days. It’s the old, “While the cats (Ortiz Bros., Tyler Gaffalione, Luis Saez, etc.) are away, the mice (Concepcion, Mario Gutierrez, Luan Machado, Asmussen, etc.) shall play.” In addition to Axel, who had three scores on Friday, veteran Florent Geroux had a pair of winners. Top trainers Brad Cox and Joe Sharp each had two wins. It was Chalk City at the windows with the average $2 Win ticket returning $7.90. Looking ahead to Saturday, the challenging 11-race card, featuring the $300K BET ON SUNSHINE STAKES, first post is at 1:00 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. With lots of sunshine in the forecast, here are Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections.
Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs Picks for Saturday, 11/01
Race 1 (1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT) — $70K for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going 6½ furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a pair in the first leg of Daily Double: #2 BEACH BUNNY (9-2 morning line) for low-profile connections of trainer Donald Habeeb and Edgar Morales, and #4 FEASIBLE (3-1) for Jena Antonucci and rider Jaime Torres.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $5 Daily Doubles of 2,4/1,6. ($20)
Race 2 (1:34 p.m. ET/10:34 a.m.) — $36K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
I’m betting either #1 SIRIUS LIGHT (7-2 morning line), also with Edgar Morales riding, or #6 STREAKING (3-1), for Genaro Garcia with Emmanuel Esquivel in the saddle, to complete the DD.
Race 3 (2:08 p.m. ET/11:08 a.m. PT) — $134K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & Up going 7½ furlongs
I like #4 THOUGHTTHATCOUNTS (2-1 morning line) for trainer Michelle Bradford with sharp young rider Luan Machado. Dead-fit closer sports 95 Beyer Speed Figure.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:46 p.m. ET/11:46 a.m. PT) — $75K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 2YO fillies going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #5 TIZMATIC (7-2 morning line) for youthful trainer Will Walden with savvy Axel Concepcion riding; #7 DEBBIE DOLL (3-1) for veteran trainer Larry Rivelli, Walter Rodriguez in irons, and #8 BET THE GRAY (9-2) for popular trainer Tom Amoss.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 5 (3:27 p.m. ET/12:27 p.m. PT) — $141K ALLOWANCE for 3YO fillies going 5½-furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed has been waiting to bet #4 LONG NECK PAULA (3-1 morning line) since her last graded stakes race at Keeneland. She gets a new rider, Walter Rodriguez, Lasix and switches to grass. Wesley Ward trains.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 6 (4:07 p.m. ET/1:07 p.m. PT) — $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 7 furlongs
I’ll take a shot with #8 CENTERLINE (12-1 morning line), FTS for trainer Steve Asmussen, who hires young jockey Luan Machado. Sharp, steady works attest to the colt’s preparedness. Mr. Ed crosses the line.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)
Race 7 (4:48 p.m. ET/1:48 p.m. PT) — $300K BET ON SUNSHINE STAKES for 3YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes three for the money: #3 SURVEILLANCE (3-1 morning line) for trainer Mike Maker; #5 ROLL ON BIG JOE (5-2) with regular rider Julien Leparoux, and #6 DURANTE (7-2) with Cristian Torres, who returns to ride.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 10 (6:45 p.m. ET/3:45 p.m. PT) — $127K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 2YOs going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed closes the card with a DD: #6 CABOURG (7-2 morning line) for top trainer Jose D’Angelo with Cristian Torres, and #7 OSCAR’S HOPE (8-5) for Tom Amoss and Axel Concepcion.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $5 Daily Doubles of 6,7/6,7. ($20)
Race 11 (7:20 p.m. ET/4:20 p.m. PT) — $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
For the finale, Mr. Ed likes #6 FOUNDERS (7-2 morning line) for Saffie Joseph Jr. and #7 MR BOBO for veteran trainer Jeremiah O’Dwyer.
TOTAL WAGERS: $135
NFL (4-3)*
KC Chiefs -2.5
*(against the spread)
