Churchill Downs Picks for Saturday, November 29:
“A horse is a horse, of course, of course,
And no one listens to a talking horse, of course,
That is, of course, the horse is VSiN’s Mr. Ed.”
— with apologies to St. Angelo Music (1961)
HORSING AROUND: By deciding to handicap the Stars of Tomorrow 12-race card at Churchill Downs, Mr. Ed may have bit off more than even he can chew: a dozen contests featuring full fields of nothing but 2YOs! Today’s program is highlighted by The $225K Ed (no relation) Brown Stakes (R4), The $400K G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (R10) and The $400K G2 Golden Rod Stakes (R11). Many of those showing promise hope to compete as 3YOs on the Triple Crown trail next Spring. With snow in the forecast today, racing action begins at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s best picks.
Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs Selections for Saturday, 11/29
Race 1 (1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT) — $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 1 1/16-mile
In a deep field of 12, Mr. Ed likes a pair: #8 STICKER SHOCK (4-1 morning line) for the primo combo of trainer Brad Cox and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., and #11 SEARCH PARTY (7-2) for HOF trainer Mark Casse and Ortiz Bros. Jose. The best of the rest.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 8,11/3,9. ($20)
Race 2 (1:28 p.m. ET/10:28 a.m. PT) — $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for maidens going a mile on the turf
To complete the DD, I like either of two: #3 FLAMING RAINBOW (7-2 morning line) for Kenny McPeek-Brian Hernandez partnership, and #9 LIGHT CAV (10-1) for up-and-coming trainer Whit Beckman and regular rider Jose Ramos.
Race 3 (1:56 p.m. ET/10:56 a.m. PT) — $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s choice is #12 PRESUMPTUOUS (3-1 morning line) for the hot Brendan Walsh barn with a huge rider upgrade to Tyler Gaffalione and the addition of blinkers.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:24 p.m. ET/11:24 a.m. PT) — $225K ED BROWN STAKES going 6½-furlongs
My pick is #5 STRADALE (2-1 morning line) for Steve Asmussen and Joel Rosario. Experience is key to win for $1.3 million youngster. He’s on my future list.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 5 (2:55 p.m. ET/11:55 a.m. PT) — $127K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING going a mile
Mr. Ed likes three for the money: #1 VALIANT (3-1 morning line) for Brad Cox with Irad Ortiz, Jr. up; #4 IT’S OUR TIME (1-1), fourth in Champlain Stakes for popular trainer Tom Amoss, and #6 MISINFORMATION (8-1) for the powerhouse team of Mark Casse and Flavien Prat.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 1,4,6. ($30)
Race 6 (3:25 p.m. ET/12:25 p.m. PT) — $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies going 1⅛-mile on the grass
My play is another Exacta Box using: #2 KARMA CAT (20-1 morning line) for promising trainer Whit Beckman; #4 KENTUCKY BELLE (5-2) for Cox-Ortiz, Jr. team, and #5 CORE MEMORIES (7-2) with Ortiz Bros. Jose aboard.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 2,4,5. ($30)
Race 7 (3:55 p.m. ET/12:55 p.m. PT) — $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT going 1 1/16-mile
Good to see Asmussen has another promising youngster, #6 MAXIMUM EFFORT (3-1 morning line), looking to repeat winning effort at Keeneland. Jose Ortiz rides.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 8 (4:25 p.m. ET/1:25 p.m. PT) — $225K FERN CREEK STAKES for fillies going 6½ furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #1 SOLEMN VOW (6-1 morning line) trained by super-savvy Al Stall, Jr. with new rider Brian Hernandez, Jr.; #6 A FINE CHARDONNAY (5-2) with Tyler Gaffalione seeking a repeat of stakes win at Keeneland, and #7 ON TIME GIRL (3-1) for the top team of Brad Cox and Irad Ortiz, Jr.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 10 (5:25 p.m. ET/2:25 p.m. PT) — $400K G2 KENTUCKY JOCKEY CLUB STAKES going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed’s last wager is an all-stakes DD: #2 CHEROKEE NATION (3-1 morning line), Bob Baffert shipper still a maiden, and #6 FURTHER ADO (7-5 morning line) for trainer Brad Cox. A pair of regional standouts.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 Daily Double of 2,6,/5,12. ($40)
Race 11 (5:54 p.m. ET/2:54 p.m. PT) — $400K G2 GOLDEN ROD for fillies going 1 1/16-mile
To close out my picks, I like #5 LETMECOUNTTHEWAYS (9-2 morning line) for solid trainer Mike Maker, and #12 EXPLORA (7-5), Bob Baffert import from the West Coast.
TOTAL WAGERS: $200
NFL Sunday
Minnesota Vikings +11.5
Record 6-6*
*against the spread
