Churchill Downs Picks for June 13:
YESTERDAY’S NEWS: Friday results were a mixed bag. While Mr. Ed’s picks only lit up the toteboard once, jockey Francisco Arrieta was red hot, winning three, while young rider Ben Curtis had a pair of scores. No trainer won more than one, while at the windows, the average Win ticket returned $13.11.
TODAY AT CHURCHILL DOWNS: The fact that several top jockeys (Ortiz Bros., Gaffalione and Johnny V. among them) are riding elsewhere made handicapping the 11-race card a difficult exercise. Headlining the program are a pair of cheap stakes and three Maiden Special Weight contests. With his horseplaying mind muddled, Mr. Ed isn’t promising followers a successful day — just keep an eye on red-hot rider Francisco Arrieta. First post is 12:45 p.m. ET/9:45 a.m. PT. However, Race 8’s BIG SHOT OF THE DAY is worth a bet. Here are Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections at Churchill Downs, plus a few bonus plays at Monmouth Park.
Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs Picks for Saturday, 6/13
Race 1 — $76K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile
Mr. Ed’s betting on either of two in the first leg of DD: #1 MIRAGE (2-1 morning line) for trainer Norm Casse with new rider Florent Geroux while stepping up and adding blinkers; and #2 WEAPONIZED (9-2) for trainer Genaro Garcia with Amir Mendoza returning. Few will see the winner coming.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 1,2/3,6 ($20)
Race 2 (1:15 p.m. ET/10:15 a.m PT) — $48K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3 YOs & up going 6½ furlongs
Mr. Ed’s choices are either #3 SCUFFLE (3-1 morning line) for savvy trainer Phil D’Amato with Francisco Arrieta returning, and #6 MIZZOU (5-2) for top NY horsewoman Linda Rice, with Jaime Torres up. Taking a big class drop.
Race 3 (1:44 p.m. ET/10:44 a.m. PT) — $92K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 4½ furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #7 BELLEZA LATINA (9-2 morning line) for trainer Carlos Munoz with (guess who?} Francisco Arrieta, Mr. Ed’s jockey of the day! Speedy coed and rider return after Show debut a few weeks ago.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 4 (2:15 p.m. ET/11:15 a.m. PT) — $71K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 4 YOs & up going 6½ furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #4 SASSY AND BOLD (7-2 morning line) with Declan Cannon picking up the mount for trainer Brian Knippenberg. She’s been bold, just not sassy enough.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 5 (2:47 p.m. ET/11:47 a.m. PT) — $127K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs and up going 1-3/16 miles
The pick is #5 PAGODE (9-5 morning line) for always-tough Brad Cox barn with Axel Concepcion picking up the ride. First off claim from Paulo Lobo. Use #7 FEAR OF UNION (8-1) over & under.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 Exacta Box. ($20)
Race 6 (3:19 p.m. ET/12:19 p.m. PT) — $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s willing to take a shot on expensive filly #7 EPIC FASHIONISTA (5-2 morning line) for trainer Mark Casse with Francisco Arrieta in the saddle.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (3:53 p.m. ET/12:53 p.m. PT) — $141K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s money is going on a trio: #1 AUSTERE (2-1 morning line) for Brendan Walsh with Declan Cannon riding; #2 SMILING ELLIE (3-1) for Mark Casse with Francisco Arrieta riding, and #5 MIWA (9-2) for trainer Joe Sharp with Axel Concepcion riding.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 8 (4:25 p.m. ET/1:25 p.m. PT) — $89K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 7½ furlongs
Mr. Ed’s BIG SHOT OF THE DAY is #1 SYSTEMIC CHANGE (6-1 morning line), owned and trained by Linda Rice with Cristian Torres riding. Popular winner of more than $500K and 12 of 30, gelding appears ready to fire on the turnback.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 9 (4:56 p.m. ET/1:56 p.m. PT) — $175K MONOMOY GIRL OVERNIGHT STAKES for 3YO fillies going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed likes any of these three in the first leg of DD: #3 LA RASCASSE (4-1 morning line) for young trainer Will Walden; #5 PERCY’S BAR (7-5) for Ben Colebrook, and #6 SNEAKY GOOD (3-1) for Brad Cox.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 Daily Double of 3,5,6/1. ($30)
Race 10 (5:28 p.m. ET/2:38 p.m. PT) — $225K CHORLEYWOOD STAKES for 4YOs going 1⅜ miles on the grass
Mr. Ed’s pick is #1 BURNHAM SQUARE (2-5 morning line), an expensive gelding for popular trainer Ian Wilkes with Brian Hernandez riding. He’s simply the best.
MONMOUTH PARK BONUS PLAYS (Bet all $10 to Win):
Race 4 G2 $150K EATONTOWN STAKES — #4 DON’T JINX IT (9-2 morning line)
Race 5 $125K PEGASUS STAKES — #6 BABY VINO (9-2 morning line)
Race 9 G3 $150K SALVATOR MILE — #6 BISHOP’S BAY (9-5 morning line)
TOTAL WAGERS: $190
