Churchill Downs Picks for Wednesday, October 29:
HORSING AROUND: No one’s more excited about this year’s Breeders’ Cup than Mr. Ed! (Picture Ed Grimley, aka Martin Short, as the kid who couldn’t wait for Christmas). Our Ed’s burning the midnight oil, diligently studying past performances of the more than 100 horses entered in the 14 BC races (five on Friday, nine on Saturday), where the surf meets the turf at Ole Del Mar. What a joyous chore! After concluding his arguably most successful horseplaying meet of 2025 at Keeneland last Saturday, he took a few days to spend quality time with his wife and adult children before watching his favorite NFL teams, defenseless Steelers (lost) and improving Chiefs (won). Before revealing my exclusive BC choices here on VSIN, let’s take a look at a few plays worth a wager at Churchill Downs. Caution: Showers in the forecast. First race goes to post at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT.
Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs Picks for Wednesday, 10/29
Race 1 — $60K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going 5½ furlongs
Mr. Ed starts the card with a Daily Double: #4 DEVIL PAYS IN GOLD (5-2 morning line) gets a significant rider upgrade to Tyler Gaffalione, and #8 OUTRAGEOUSLY (4-1), a horse for the Churchill course, with jockey Edgar Morales returning.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 4,8/3,7. ($20)
Race 2 (1:29 p.m. ET/10:29 a.m. PT) — $78K for 3YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
I like either of a pair to conclude the DD: #3 AUGUSTA MELODY (2-1 morning line), with a huge rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz, Jr., and #7 BIG EFFECT (5-2) with promising Cristian Torres returning to ride.
Race 3 (1:58 p.m. ET/10:58 a.m. PT) — $48K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile
My pick is lightly raced #7 ICE SHOT (5-1 morning line) for savvy trainer Rusty Arnold, who switches riders to Francisco Arrieta and gives the lightly raced maiden some class relief while returning him to dirt.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:27 p.m. ET/11:27 a.m. PT) — $86K CLAIMING for 3YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
My choice #3 WHAT SAY THEE (8-5 morning line) is horse for course (2 for 2 at Churchill). Trainer Mike Maker drops 7YO in class and retains Luis Saez in the saddle. What say Mr. Ed? Thee’s a winner.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 6 (3:26 p.m. ET/12:26 p.m. PT) — $58K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going a mile
Mr. Ed likes #12 AGGRO (6-1 morning line) for sharp trainer/TV analyst Tom Amoss, who recruits Jose Ortiz to ride well-bred filly for her first start after a claim. She appears ready to fire her best shot.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Races 7-10 (3:55 p.m. ET/12:55 p.m. PT) — $.50 PICK 4*
R7: 5,7,10
R8: 1,6,7
R9: 1,5,6,7
R10: 4,10 ($36)
* In the event of a scratch, the post-time favorite becomes the substitute pick.
Race 9 (4:55 p.m. ET/1:55 p.m. PT) — $127K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
I like #5 FOIE GRAS (5-2 morning line), for father-son, trainer-jockey Asmussen team. Expensive filly ready to rock n’ roll into the Winner’s Circle for son Keith.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win & $5 Exacta Boxes with 1,6,7. ($40)
TOTAL WAGERS: $136
THURSDAY AT CHURCHILL DOWNS: Mr. Ed returns to Louisville to handicap a challenging 10-race card while he sharpens his pencil prior to releasing his VSiN exclusive Breeders’ Cup selections here on Friday and Saturday.
