Churchill Downs Picks for Sunday, April 26:
HORSING AROUND: After three races on Opening Day of the countdown clock to the Kentucky Derby, Jose Ortiz made riding at Churchill Downs a breeze by winning all three contests. By the time all was said and the nightcap (R11) run, Tyler Gaffalione was the lone rider to win a pair of races, let alone three. As for trainers, none was able to win more than a single race. At the windows, chalk prevailed with an average $2 Win ticket returning $6.98. Looking ahead to Sunday, first post is 12.45 p.m. ET/9:45 a.m. PT. The nine-race program features several competitive claiming and allowance contests. Fast, firm and dry conditions are expected. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s best plays of the day.
Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs Selections for Sunday, 4/26
Race 1 (12:45 p.m. ET/9:45 a.m. PT) — $83K STARTER ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed goes for the early DD with #2 BOURBON FLIGHT (5-1 morning line) for trainer Ian Wilkes with Irad Ortiz, Jr. riding, and #6 CANT STOP MUNNINGS (7-2) for savvy trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. with big rider upgrade to Tyler Gaffalione.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 2,6/6,7 ($20)
Race 2 (1:14 p.m. ET/10:14 a.m. PT) — $92K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 4½ furlongs
Mr. Ed’s betting on either #6 VALKYRIE (5-1 morning line) for popular trainer Kenny McPeek and veteran rider Declan Cannon in the saddle, and top team of #7 CARDIO CAT (3-1) for Steve Asmussen and Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Race 3 (1:43 p.m. ET/10:43 a.m. PT) — $48K MAIDEN CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going 6½ furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #9 FLASHY AVIATOR (6-1 morning line) for trainer Rohan Crichton and impressive young rider Ben Curtis. First-time starter shows steady string of drills at Gulfstream Park. Come fly with me.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 4 (2:14 p.m. ET/11:14 a.m. PT) — $78K CLAIMING for 3YOs going 7 furlongs
I like three: #1 NUCK CHORRIS (5-1 morning line) for Mike Maker with rider upgrade to Tyler Gaffalione; and #5 MISCHIEF MANIA (7-2) for Ed Moger with Irad Ortiz, Jr. on board, and #8 EPIC SUMMER (8-5) for sharp trainer George Weaver, who brings back Joel Rosario to win again for the barn. Two of three for the money.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 1,5,8. ($30)
Race 5 (2:47 p.m. ET/11:47 a.m. PT) — $35K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes Al Stall, Jr.’s #6 IMPAVIDO (7-2 morning line) with rider upgrade to Luis Saez and sporting bullet work. Gelding looks ready to break maiden in third start.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 6 (3:20 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT) — $141K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & Up going 5½ furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed takes a shot on #1 GOLDEN AFTERNOON (9-2 morning line) for low-profile trainer Nick Vaccarezza, who hires sharp rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. to ride. Look for the gelding to outbreak field and never look back. Wire-to-wire winner.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 8 (4:24 p.m. ET/1:24 p.m. PT) — $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & Up going 1¼-mile
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #3 TIERNANOGUE (3-1 morning line) for powerful Walsh-Gaffalione team; #8 DIRECT STRIKE (9-2) for super Cox barn with Irad Ortiz, Jr. up, and #9 SILVER SHOT (6-1) for Steve Asmussen with Jose Ortiz in saddle. Deep closers rule.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 3,8,9. ($30)
Race 9 (4:56 p.m. ET/1:56 p.m. PT) — $127K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs and Up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s picks #3 BRILLIANTLY (3-1 morning line) for superstar West Coast horseman Bob Baffert, who hires Joel Rosario to find Winner’s Circle. Brilliant move.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $150
NOTE: Churchill Downs will be dark on Monday, with Derby Week beginning in earnest on Tuesday. Mr. Ed will be here on VSiN every day through the Run for the Roses on Saturday with his top selections.
