Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs Picks for Saturday, June 28:
“GO AHEAD, MAKE MY DAY”: So said Mr. Ed. And the Churchill Downs racing secretary answered my plea for quality racing with a 12-race blockbuster card culminating in the $1 million G1 Stephen Foster stakes for 4YOs and up going 1⅛-mile. If the first six non-stakes races put you to sleep, the final six (all stakes) beginning just before 4 p.m. ET are certain to awaken the handicapping juices of even the most cynical of horseplayers. Just ask Mr. Ed. The final half-dozen races are chock-full of champions — the likes of Mystik Dan, Thorpedo Anna, Sierra Leone — and challengers like Taxed, Flying Mohawk and Mindframe. So, open your file, study the past performances, and check out Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections before making your picks.
Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs Picks for Saturday (06/28)
Race 2 (1:15 p.m. ET/10:15 a.m. PT) — $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile on the turf
I like #4 KAVANAUGH (4-1 morning line), well-bred colt for improving young trainer John Ortiz, who hires underrated jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr. to ride. The move to grass and the cutback in distance are both good moves. Look for him late.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 3 (1:45 p.m. ET/10:45 a.m. PT) — $127K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs going 1⅛-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes #8 EXCITE (2-1 morning line) for the first-class combo of Bill Mott and Irad Ortiz, Jr. Team goes for a repeat victory while moving to grass. No curbing Mr. Ed’s enthusiastic support for chalk.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:15 p.m. ET/11:15 a.m. PT) — $89K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 7 1/2 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s betting on two of three finishing first and second: #3 GUNNER BAY (5-1 morning line) moves up in class for new owner; #4 EL MAGNIFICO (3-1) for tip-top Joe Sharp barn, and #10 CLASSIC CAR WASH (4-1), who gets rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz, Jr.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 5 (2:45 p.m. ET/11:45 a.m. PT) — $83K STARTER ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Don’t let Mr. Ed fool ya, he loves #3 LAMBO (3-1 morning line), a nickname for Mrs. Ed, for David Jacobson’s barn with Jose Ortiz seeking repeat win effort of two weeks ago. Improving son of Uncle Mo is my hunch bet.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (3:52 p.m. ET/12:52 p.m. PT) — $500K G2 FLEUR DE LIS STAKES for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY is #3 THORPEDO ANNA (3-5 morning line), winner of 10 of 13, for Kenny McPerk and partner Brian Hernandez. Gal knows how to win regardless of conditions. Get in line to cash ticket.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 8 (4:25 p.m. ET/1:25 p.m. PT) — $250K TEPIN STAKES for 3YO fillies going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s LONGSHOT OF THE DAY is #2 SOMETHING STRONGER (10-1 morning line). Trained by superior conditioner Al Stall, Jr., and ridden by journeyman jockey James Graham, the filly sports a win over the track as she continues to improve with every race. Stretching out to a mile fits her style. Fast work attests to readiness.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Races 9-12 (4:58 p.m. ET/1:58 p.m. PT) — $.50 ALL STAKES PICK 4
R9: 1,3,4
R10: 2,3,5,7,8
R11: 1,2,3,4
R12: 1,2,3 ($90)*
* In the event of a scratch, the post-time favorite becomes the substitute pick
Race 9 (4:58 p.m. ET/1:58 p.m. PT) — $250K G2 KELLY’S LANDING STAKES for 3YOs & up going 6 1/2 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #1 DR. VENKMAN (5-2 morning line) for West Coast trainer Mark Glatt with Antonio Fresu in the saddle. Ultra consistent, versatile son of Ghostzapper draws an ideal post for competitive sprint. Doctor zaps foes.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 11 (6:03 p.m. ET/3:03 p.m. PT) — $1 million G1 STEPHEN FOSTER STAKES for 4YOs going 1 ⅛ mile
Mr. Ed goes with #5 MYSTIK DAN (3-1 morning line) for Kenny McPeek and Brian Hernandez, Jr. on top and bottom of three others: #1 FIRST MISSION (4-1); #2 MINDFRAME (7-2) and #4 SIERRA LEONE (5-2). All are proven winners.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win on 5 and $5 Exacta Boxes of 5/1,2,4. ($40)
TOTAL WAGERS: $230
SOME SONGS OF STEPHEN FOSTER (1826-1864)
Camptown Races
My Old Kentucky Home
Beautiful Dreamer
Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair
Oh! Susanna
