Churchill Downs Picks for June 19:
HORSING AROUND: As most of those familiar with VSiN know by now, Mr. Ed prefers high-class stakes racing — and that all race cards are not created equal. For instance, back in the day, there might have been one or two stakes on a program, generally on Saturday. Few stakes were carded on weekdays, and yes, we had NO racing at all on Sunday. Nowadays, stakes are frequently stacked atop one another on Saturdays, leaving little or no first-class racing on the other six days. In handicapping today’s no-stakes card at Churchill Downs, chalk-eating-weasel Mr. Ed found a nine-race program loaded with plays to his liking. Hey folks, with a tip of a cap to The Stones, “you can’t always get what you want.” — that is, with the possible exception of Irad Ortiz, Jr., who had five winners on Wednesday. With first post at 12:45 p.m. ET/9:45 a.m. PT, and partly cloudy skies with highs in the 80s, here are Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN Friday selections.
Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs Picks for Friday, 6/19
Race 1 — $78K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up going a mile
WELCOME TO CHALK CITY! To kick off an early DD, Mr. Ed likes #2 MUSICAL PRAYER (3-1 morning line) for trainer Randy Morse with big rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz, Jr., or #5 COZY CURLIN KITTEN (8-5) with the other Ortiz brother, Jose, riding for savvy trainer Eddie Kenneally.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Daily Double 2,5/3,5. ($20)
Race 2 (1:14 p.m. ET/10:14 a.m. PT) — $45K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile
To complete early DD, Mr. Ed likes either of these two: #3 NATIONAL ECLIPSE (5-2 morning line) for Kenneally with Luis Saez up, or #5 HOODLUM (8-5) for trainer Norm Casse with Tyler Gaffalione riding. Just one for money.
Race 3 (1:43 p.m. ET/10:43 a.m. PT) — $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 5½ furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed’s betting #11 PRESS RELEASE (4-1 morning line) has what it takes to win at first asking for sharp trainer Whit Beckman, who hires Tyler Gaffalione for the ride.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 4 (2:13 p.m. ET/11:13 a.m. PT) — $76K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #4 VANDERBILT (6-5 morning line) for Brad Cox barn with Irad Ortiz, Jr. up; #6 EVAN ON EARTH (7-2) with Tyler Gaffalione riding new gelding for Greg Foley, and #8 JUSTIFREAK (9-2) for Eddie Kenneally with Jose Ortiz on board. Two of three cashes.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 5 (2:45 p.m. ET/11:45 a.m. PT) — $92K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 5 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s betting #11 CROSSFIRE (4-1 morning line) will benefit from his two starts and adding blinkers. Brendan Walsh trains with Jose Ortiz in the irons.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 6 (3:18 p.m. ET/12:18 p.m. PT) — $148K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the grass
Mr. Ed likes #8 WEST HOLLYWOOD (2-1 morning line), 5YO son of Uncle Mo, for top trainer Brad Cox with hot Irad Ortiz, Jr. returning to ride. Has won four of 10 lifetime.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 7 (3:50 p.m. ET/12:50 p.m. PT) — $50K CLAIMING for 3YOs going 6 1/2 furlongs
Strictly a jockey play, Mr. Ed’s SHOT OF THE DAY is #2 LEAGUE OF LEGENDS (8-1 morning line) for trainer Randy Morse with improving jock Francisco Arrieta. Added distance and rider’s skill keys to victory.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)
Race 8 (4:22 p.m. ET/1:22 p.m. PT) — $141K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
For a late DD, Mr. Ed’s picks a pair from Bob Baffert: #3 SILENT LAW (4-1 morning line) with Martin Garcia riding first time with Lasix, without blinkers, and #6 CASH CALL (8-5) with Florent Geroux picking up the mount.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTIONS: $5 Daily Double of 3,6/6,9. ($20)
Race 9 (4:55 p.m. ET/1:55 p.m. PT) — $127K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up going 1⅛ mile on the turf
To complete the late DD, Mr. Ed likes #6 COMPETITIVE MARKET (9-5 morning line) for Chad Brown barn, with Tyler Gaffalione returning, and #9 AMBERGLEN (5-2) for Brad Cox with Irad Ortiz riding.
TOTAL WAGERS: $145
SATURDAY EVENING AT CHURCHILL: A very playable 10-race card headlined by the G2 CHICAGO STAKES sprint for fillies. Partly sunny skies with high in the 80s are expected for the special first post at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT. Mr. Ed will be here on VSiN with his top selections.
BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW: Long ago & far away, Mr. Ed caddied on both the PGA & LPGA tours.
