Churchill Downs Picks for June 26:
HORSING AROUND WITH MR. ED: Which is better? Picking winners or providing value? Each week, as Mr. Ed sits down to make his VSiN selections, he wrestles with the answer to this age-old question. In his heart, he enjoys the thrill of victory. But in his mind, he’d much rather have a thicker wallet. On a recent afternoon at the track, Mr. Ed had six winners in ten races. He had bet $145 and his total return was $138, for a $7 loss. Two days later, he had a single score which paid $185 from $155 in total wagers, for a profit of $30. He slept well the former night, but enjoyed a seafood dinner with Mrs. Ed the latter evening. Having wagered on horse racing for more than six decades, Mr. Ed remains stumped seeking to solve the win vs. value question. But when he does, VSiN followers will be the first to know.
FRIDAY AT CHURCHILL DOWNS: Today’s 11–race card is as playable as any weekday program between now and the upcoming 2026 Saratoga meet. Mr. Ed found several chalky and/or value opportunities. Post time for Race 1 is 12:45 p.m. ET/9:45 p.m. PT with rain in the forecast. Mr. Ed’s VALUE PLAY OF THE DAY can be found in Race 7, with his BEST BET OF THE DAY in Race 10. Here are his top selections on the 12-race program.
Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs Picks for Friday, 6/26
Race 1 — $36K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6½ furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a pair in first leg of DD: #5 IMPAVIDO (5-2 morning line) for always- ready trainer Al Stall, Jr. with Luis Saez returning to ride, and conditioner hot Joe Sharp’s #6 VINO DOMINUS (7-2) with big rider upgrade to meet leader Irad Ortiz, Jr. Either of these is capable of getting to the wire first.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 5,6/3,5. ($20)
Race 2 (1:15 p.m. ET/10:15 a.m. PT) — $60K for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed is betting either #3 PROTOMAGIC (7-2 morning line) for trainer Kinnon LaRose on upgrade and first following claim with Jose Ortiz on board, and #5 PATTY CAKES (9-2), trained by David Jacobson, with jockey upgrade to Tyler Gaffalione.
Race 3 (1:44 p.m. ET/10:44 a.m. PT) — $127K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YO fillies going 1 1/16-mile.
Mr. Ed’s pick is Improving #5 LAKEN (5-1 morning line) for trainer Victoria Oliver, with rider switched to Jose Ortiz. Coming off a 7-length, out-of-town maiden win. Expecting a similar result.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:15 p.m. ET/11:15 a.m. PT) — $35K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs and up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a trio: turf-to-dirt #5 CHIEF MORTOR (6-1 morning line) for excellent trainer Larry Rivelli with Geraldo Corrales on board first-time gelding; #8 MCKINSENSE (7-2) for popular trainer Randy Morse with new rider Abel Cedillo, and #11 MUNICIPAL (5-2) for Saffie Joseph, Jr. with rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz, Jr. Two of three for the money.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 6 (3:19 p.m. ET/12:19 p.m. PT) — $89K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 6 ½- furlongs
Mr. Ed’s wagering on #5 ATTACHE (9-2 morning line) on upgrade off claim for excellent trainer Rohan Crichton, who hires Irad Ortiz, Jr. to ride for the first time. Fast and furious.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (3:53 p.m. ET/12:53 p.m. PT) — $62K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 6½-furlongs
Mr. Ed’s VALUE PLAY OF THE DAY is #7 MAMARSHA (8-1 morning line) in the toughest race of the day. Trained by Norm Casse with a huge rider upgrade to Tyler Gaffalione, she gets blinkers and steps up in her first start for the barn. What’s not to like? Coed bound for Winner’s Circle.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 8 (4:25 p.m. ET/1:25 p.m. PT) — $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile
Any two of three for the money: #2 WEDELIA (3-1 morning line) for the powerful duo of Brad Cox and Irad Ortiz, Jr.; #5 FAST GUN (5-2) for HoF trainer Steve Asmussen with rider upgrade to Jose Ortiz, and #8 BODACIOUS BAY (4-1) for Rudy Brisset and Cristian Torres returning to saddle.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 9 (4:56 p.m. ET/1:56 p.m. PT) — $127K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going a mile on the grass
Mr. Ed’s betting on #11 NOSHAMETOHERGAME (8-1 morning line) for hot trainer Eddie Kenneally with Luis Saez returning to ride. Coed is classy and fast.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 10 (5:28 p.m. ET/2:28 p.m. PT) — $134K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY is #4 STOWAWAY (7-2 morning line), turning back for sharp young trainer Whit Beckman with Jose Ortiz riding again. It’s time for the son of supersire Gun Runner to find his way to the Winner’s Circle.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 11 (5:59 p.m. ET/2:59 p.m. PT ) — $83K STARTER ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed likes three for the money: #3 FUNNY UNCLE (7-2 morning line), first off claim for Joe Sharp-Irad Ortiz, Jr. team; #6 FEAR OF UNION (3-11) for low-profile trainer S.J. Cunningham with Tyler Gaffalione aboard, and #7 SUPER MCKINZIE (9-2) with Jose Ortiz up for trainer Cody Rosin. Any two will do.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $190
SATURDAY AT CHURCHILL DOWNS: Hard to believe, but it’s been eight weeks since the Kentucky Derby and the stellar race card that accompanied it. Many of the high-class thoroughbreds who participated in the May 2 race card are scheduled to return to action on Saturday. Six stakes, headlined by the $2 Million G1 Stephen Foster with all-stars WHITE ABARRIO, SOVEREIGNTY and MAGNITTUDE, along with five additional stakes plus several classy Allowance and Maiden Special contests, round out the best program between now and Saratoga meet. First race call to post is 12:45 p.m. ET/9:45 p.m. PT. Rested and ready, Mr. Ed will be here with his exclusive VSiN selections.
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