Churchill Downs Picks for May 30:
TRACKING MR. ED: More than one bomb detonated at the Churchill Downs windows early Friday, forcing Mr. Ed to seek underground shelter while finishing his mark-up of Saturday’s card. Starting with the opener, $2 Win tickets returned the following: R1: ($21.26), R3: ($28.22), R4: ($54.50), and R6: ($19.76). Mr. Ed, who got shut out on Friday, is hoping for a ceasefire before Saturday’s card at Churchill.
HORSING AROUND: A horseplaying oldtimer once told Mr. Ed to keep an eye on veteran trainer Dallas Stewart on race day. “Anytime he’s dressed in a suit and tie, he plans on visiting the Winner’s Circle to have his picture taken. If he’s in jeans and Western wear, forget his horse,” he concluded. When young trainer Joe Sharp showed up in the paddock at Churchill Downs yesterday wearing shorts, T-shirt and flip-flops, Mr. Ed didn’t know what to think. As for Stewart’s odds-on winner Friday, American Man in Race 8, Stewart looked cool in a casual shirt. Looking ahead, Saturday’s the day Mr. Ed has been waiting for since the Kentucky Derby: an 11-race Steven Foster Day preview card featuring seven stakes, loaded with top jockeys and trainers. Under expected cloudy skies with a high in the low-80s, first post is at 12:45 p.m. ET/9:45 a.m PT. If ever there’s a day to jump on Mr. Ed’s plays, it’s Saturday! Here are his top exclusive VSiN plays.
Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs Picks for Saturday, 5/30
Race 1 — $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 6½ furlongs
Mr. Ed likes two in early DD: #2 BATTIS GROVE (4-5 morning line) for young Will Walden, who switches riders to Flavien Prat after a promising debut, and #6 CUE DIXIE DUST (12-1), making first start for veteran trainer Eric Reed, who recruits Rafael Bejarano following a pair of impressive works.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Daily Doubles of 2,6/4,8. ($20)
Race 2 (1:15 p.m. ET/10:15 a.m. PT) — $86K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going a mile
To complete the DD, Mr. Ed’s betting on #4 BADGE OF WAR (9-2 morning line) for Matt Wiliams with Gabriel Saez riding, and #8 SKYRO (7-2) with Jose Ortiz, on class drop while turning back to a mile for trainer Joe Sharp.
Race 3 (1:44 p.m. ET/10:44 a.m. PT) — $120 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs going 1⅛-mile
Mr. Ed’s three for the money: #3 SILENT WAY (8-5 morning line), West Coast invader for trainer Peter Eurton with extra sharp rider Flavien Prat; #5 DIRECT STRIKE (5-2) for Brad Cox barn with leading rider Irad Ortiz, Jr, and #9 BOURBON DREAM (9-2) with Jose Ortiz up for trainer Fausto Gutierrez.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 5 (2:47 p.m. ET/11:47 a.m. PT) — $275 AUDUBON STAKES for 3YOs going 1⅛-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s pick is #7 TOUCH OF FIRE (2-1 morning line). Brad Cox trainee steps up in class following second win in three starts with top rider Irad Ortiz returning to saddle.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 7 (3:53 p.m. ET/12:53 p.m. PT) — $275K G3 MINT JULEP STAKES for fillies and mares, 4 YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes #5 PROCTOR STREET (3-1 morning line) for trainer Brendan Walsh, who retains rider Tyler Gaffalione. Coed loves to finish in the money (9 of 11 starts). Mr. Ed wants a little bit more vs. cheap field.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 8 (4:25 p.m. ET/1:25 p.m. PT) — $275K G3 ARISTIDES STAKES for 4YOs going 6 furlongs
Three for the money: #2 CORNUCOPIAN (5-2 morning line) for always-tough trainer Bob Baffert, who brings colt east to sprint with Flavien Prat picking up ride; #3 ROLL ON BIG JOE (9-5) for Bob Hess and regular rider Julien Leparoux, and #6 MADAKET ROAD (9-2) also a member of team Baffert. Irad Ortiz, Jr. returns to ride.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30) & $1 all-stakes Pick 4
R8: 2,3,6
R9: 1,9
R10: 3,9
R11: 3,9,10 ($36)
(Note: In the event of a scratch, the post time favorite is the substitute selection.)
Race 9 (4:56 p.m. ET/1:49 p.m. PT) — $275K G3 REGRET STAKES for 3YO fillies and mares going 1⅛-mile on the grass
Mr. Ed’s pick is #9 TAM TAM (5-2 morning line), improving coed for Phillip Bauer and Junior Alvarado, sports 6-2-2-1 record facing tough opponents. She’ll need lead in order to succeed.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 11 (5:59 p.m. ET/2:29 p.m. PT) — $275K G3 ARLINGTON STAKES for 4YOs going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
In another multi-horse play, Mr. Ed likes millionaire #3 LAGYNOS (5-2 morning line) for trainer Steve Asmussen with regular rider Jose Ortiz; #9 QUATROCENTO (7-2) stretching out a bit with Julian Leparoux riding for Fausto Gutierrez, and another millionaire, #10 BRILLIANT BERTI (9-2), ridden by Brian Hernandez, trained by KD-winning trainer Cherie DeVaux.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $180
