Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs Picks for Saturday, June 21:
YESTERDAY & TODAY: Chalk returns ruled the day at the historic Louisville oval on Friday with only a one double-digit payoff on a $2 Win ticket. Also, no trainer or jockey was able to reach the Winner’s Circle more than once. As for Saturday, if you are looking for a first-class racing card, you’ve come to the wrong place. What’s a public punter to do? Get out the ballpoint, multi-colored pens; mark up the past performance charts; grade the speed figures, and say a prayer to the racing gods. In doing so, Mr. Ed found a few races worth a wager. First of the 11-race card goes to post this evening at 6 p.m. ET, with the featured Race 9 $300K G2 Chicago Stakes for older females, scheduled for 10:11 p.m. ET. Here are Mr. Ed’s picks.
Mr. Ed’s Selections for Saturday (06/21) at Churchill Downs
Race 1 (6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT) — $134K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
I like two in the first half of a Daily Double: #6 MO FOX GIVIN (3-1 morning line) for excellent trainer Mark Casse with Irad Ortiz Jr. riding, and #7 WAVES OF MISCHIEF (7-2) for another top trainer Brendan Walsh who adds blinkers and engages Flavien Prat to ride.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 6,7/1,7. ($20)
Race 2 (6:28 p.m. ET/3:28 p.m. PT) — $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed’s betting on either of two: #1 GEARING UP (3-1 morning line) for Brendan Walsh and Luis Saez, and #7 TAP INTO THIS (2-1) for Steve Asmussen and Flavien Prat. Chalk rules.
Race 4 (7:26 p.m. ET/4:26 p.m. PT) — $141K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 5½ furlongs on the turf
I like trio: #2 BLING (2-1 morning line) for Kentucky-based trainer Vickie Oliver; #4 ACCOMPLISHED GIRL (4-1) for Steve Asmussen, and #6 CLOUDWALKER (5-2) for conditioner Brendan Walsh. Two of three for the money.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 5 (7:57 p.m. ET/4:57 p.m. PT) — $71K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #4 LIGHTNING STRUCK (7-2 morning line) for trainer Joe Sharp, who recruits top jock Irad Ortiz, Jr. to ride while giving gelding class boost. Electric move.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 6 (8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT) — $57K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
My pick is #5 CINISTER CIX (4-1 morning line), for trainer Rudy Brisset, who removes blinkers, drops colt in class and hires Flavien Prat to ride. It’s a Cin to win.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (9:05 p.m. ET/6:05 p.m. PT) — $134K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF DAY is #3 ECHO LANE (5-2 morning line) for local trainer Rohan Crichton and go-to rider Luis Saez, who knows the colt well. Nipped in last vs. similar field. A slight cutback is all the colt needs to score.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Races 8-11 (9:39 p.m. ET/6:39 p.m. PT) — $1Pick 4
R8: 2,6,7
R9: 5,9,11
R10: 8,11
R11: 1,4 ($36)
Race 9 (10:11 p.m. ET/7:11 p.m. PT) — $300K G2 CHICAGO STAKES for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #11 ZEITLOS (8-1 morning line) for the tip-top team of Steve Asmussen and new rider Flavien Prat. Second back from layoff and outside post helps her cause. Horse-for-course millionaire daughter of Curlin prepared to pull stakes upset.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win & $5 Exacta Boxes with 5&9. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $156
SPOT PLAY OF THE DAY
$500K Ohio Derby
#2 Chunk of Gold (7-2)
