Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs Picks for Saturday, June 14:
TRACKING MR. ED: I have enough trouble picking winners, but I sure can pick scratches, witness yesterday’s card when two of my best bets (in races 5 & 6) and three others failed to go to post. Looking at Friday’s results, after all was said and run, Brad Cox led all trainers with three trips to the Winner’s Circle, while Luan Machado led jockeys with three winners. Luis Saez had a pair of scores. The average $2 win ticket returned a chalky $7.01. As for Saturday, the 10-race card features a pair of stakes.
Less than ideal conditions are expected after Friday’s heavy rain. Here are Mr. Ed’s picks:
Mr. Ed’s Selections for Saturday (06/14) at Churchill Downs
Race 1 (12:45 p.m. ET/9:45 a.m. PT) — $92K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and maidens, 3YOs & up going 1 mile
Mr. Ed likes a pair: #2 DAWN AFTER DAWN (2-1 morning line) for trainer Brendan Walsh, who adds Lasix, blinkers, and top rider Luis Saez, and #6 MADDIENLIZZYSHONOR (4-1) for excellent trainer John Ortiz, who retains jockey Reylu Gutierrez for cutback to mile.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $5 Daily Doubles of 2,6/2,6. ($20)
Race 2 (1:14 p.m. ET/10:14 a.m. PT) — $35K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile
I like these two to complete wager: #2 KEVIN’S STRIKE (3-1 morning line) for trainer Tom Amoss with new jockey Jose Ortiz, and #6 ENCRYPT (7-2) for sharp young trainer Bill Walden with Christian Torres riding. Are you feeling lucky? If so, bet the 2,6/2,6 Daily Double.
Race 3 (1:43 p.m. ET/10:43 a.m. PT) — $75K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 6½ furlongs
Mr. Ed’s betting on #5 CLAIRE’S RUN (2-1 morning line), expensive second-time-starter for trainer Phil Bauer, who retains Martin Garcia in the irons. Beaten favorite in shorter turf debut. Changes will do her good.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:13 p.m. ET/11:13 a.m. PT) — $134K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YO fillies going a mile on turf
I like a trio: #2 STUDIO HALL (8-1 morning line), promising gal for Bill Walden with Christian Torres; #3 MEAN EILEEN (4-1), trained by Joe Sharp, who retains Frankie Dettori following win in slop, and #6 MILA ROSE (4-1) for HOF trainer Steve Asmussen. Jose Ortiz rides while taking a drop from G3 stakes. Any two of three for the money.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 2,3,6. ($30)
Race 5 (2:45 p.m. ET/11:45 a.m. PT) — $175K MONOMOY GIRL STAKES for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mile
I’m betting on #5 RUNNING AWAY (9-2 morning line) to snap the four-race winning streak of #2 IMMERSIVE (4-5). Johnny Velazquez returns to the saddle for top trainer Wesley Ward. Upset alert.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 6 (3:18 p.m. ET/12:18 p.m. PT) — $78K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile
My choice is #6 PRINCETOWN (5-2 morning line), for HOF trainer Bill Mott and jockey Jaime Torres. Sophomore drops in class, seeking a repeat win following rest. Joins the Ivy League.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Races 7-10 (3:50 p.m. ET/12:50 p.m. PT) — $1 Pick 4
R7: 1,3,6
R8: 1,2,5,7
R9: 6
R10: 3,4,6,7 ($48)
Race 9 (4:55 p.m. ET/1:55 p.m. PT) — $134K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY is #6 NOT THIS BOY (8-5 morning Line) for trainer Bill Cowans with a big rider upgrade to Brian Hernandez. Never worse than second in five starts, gelding excels on wet tracks. He can handle more ground. Boy, oh boy!
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $148
