Churchill Downs Picks for Sunday, September 14:
TRACKING MR. ED: Saturday’s 11-race card produced several standouts, including jockey Jose Ortiz with four winners, followed by Tyler Gaffalione with three and brother Irad with a pair. No single trainer had more than one trip to the Winner’s Circle. Even Mr. Ed got into the act, successfully hitting a modest early $5 Daily Double and the late $2 Pick 4 (about time). At the windows, the average $2 Win ticket returned $12.42. Sunday’s 10-race program goes to post at 12:45 p.m. ET/9:45 a.m. ET. Partly cloudy skies with a 35% chance of showers are expected. Here are Mr. Ed’s selections.
Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs Picks for Sunday (9/14)
Race 1(12:45 p.m. ET/9:45 a.m. PT) — $57K MAIDEN CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed likes a pair to jump start early DD: #1 DARK THIRTY (5-2 morning line) for trainer Kenny McPeek, who recruits Jose Ortiz to ride, and #4 Z TRAIN (4-1), Irish-bred filly for trainer Jesus Esquivel, who names Adam Beschizza pilot.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 1,4/5,7 ($20)
Race 2 (1:14 p.m./10:14 a.m. PT) — $37K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile
I’m betting on #5 INTERLOCK EMPIRE (3-1 morning line), for popular trainer Tom Amoss with Jose Ortiz on board, and #7 BATTLEOFLEXINGTON (7-2), trained by Wayne “the catman” Catalano with Declan Cannon named to ride.
Race 3 (1:43 p.m. ET/10:43 a.m. PT) — $67K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
#3 FLICK (6-1 morning line) is it! Trained by Michael Tomlinson, the gelding will be ridden by Jaime Torres. Recent bullet work and drop to claiming ranks should do the trick.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 4 (2:13 p.m. ET/11:13 a.m. PT) — $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 1 1/16-mile
My pick is #9 YOUR WILDEST DREAM (4-1 morning line), high-priced youngster making second start for trainer Norm Casse with rider switch to Corey Lanerie. Moving to dirt is the key to a winning move in the lane.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 to Win & Place and $5 Exacta Box with 2,3,10. ($40)
Race 5 (2:45 p.m. ET/11:45 a.m. PT) — $76K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #2 DIVE BOMBER (5-2 morning line), who drops in class for trainer Bryan Lynch. Declan Cannon to ride pricy, gelded son of Omaha Beach. Bombs away!
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 6 (3:18 p.m. ET/12:18 p.m. PT) — $64K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile
Choice is textbook, horse-for-course (3 for 3 at CD): #8 PAPA YO (3-1 morning line), who gets classy rider upgrade to Tyler Gaffalione. Little-known trainer Bentley Combs drops the gelding to the lowest level.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 8 (4:22 p.m. ET/1:22 p.m. ET) — $134K OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #5 GUNS LOADED (9-2 morning line) for trainer Jose D’Angelo, who adds Lasix and names old pro Florent Geroux to ride. Expensive son of Gun Runner returns, full of run, after Summer vacation. Stick ‘em up!
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 10 (5:25 p.m. ET/2:25 p.m. PT) — $83K STARTER ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
I like three for the money: #2 GIVE HER ANOTHER (8-1 morning line) for trainer Brendan Walsh who recruits Tyler Gaffalione to improve results; #5 GOLDEN IRISH (4-1) for popular trainer Tom Amoss, who hires Jose Ortiz to ride, and #11 THEPRINCESSFACTOR (7-2), trained by hot Joe Sharp with Irad Ortiz, Jr. abroad.
KENTUCKY DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $170
PENNSYLVANIA DERBY PREVIEW: The annual late-summer Grade 1 event for 3YOs will be held next Saturday (09/20) at PARX in Philadelphia, featuring several Triple Crown competitors, including Gosger, Baeza, Mo Plex and Chunk of Gold among the expected dozen entries. Mr. Ed plans to post his picks for the entire race card.
