Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs Picks for Wednesday, April 30:
TRACKING MR. ED: Wednesday kicks off four days of Derby Week at Churchill Downs, culminating with the annual Kentucky Derby at dusk on Saturday. The fact that more than a thousand railbirds showed up at dawn for morning works on Monday attests to the growing popularity of the first race of the Triple Crown. While Mr. Ed will not attend Derby Week activities this year, you will be able to ponder his picks, including the entire Derby card, here on VSiN through Saturday. Wednesday’s 10-race card is as good as any mid-week program I can recall. Unfortunately, rain is in the forecast through Saturday afternoon. First race post time today is 1:10 p.m. ET/4:10 p.m. PT. Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s picks.
Mr. Ed’s Selections at Churchill Downs for Wednesday, April 30
Race 3 (1:45 p.m. ET/10:45 a.m. PT) — $48K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed likes three: #3 PAVED IN GOLD (5-2 morning line) gets class relief while retaining Colby Hernandez in the irons; #5 OLD TRACE (7-2), stretching out with Jose Ortiz riding and #8 ONE MOR STORY (4-1) with Joel Rosario retaining mount while dropping in class.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 4 (2:15 p.m. ET/11:15 a.m. PT) — $134K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 5 furlongs on the turf
I’m betting on #11 URBAN LEGEND (7-2 morning line) for veteran trainer Jose D’Angelo, who gives top rider Irad Ortiz Jr. a third chance to score. Expensive gelded son of Into Mischief drops after bullet work. Mr. Ed believes it.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 5 (2:45 p.m. ET/11:45 a.m. PT) — $57K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #7 FOCUSYN (7-2) for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., who hires Irad Ortiz Jr. after several fast works and a class drop. Prefers a fast racing surface.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (3:47 p.m. ET/12:47 p.m. PT) — $1 PICK 4
R7: 1,4,7,9
R8: 1
R9: 1,6,11
R10: 1,4,7 ($36)
Race 7 (3:47 p.m. ET/12:47 p.m. PT) — $127K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going a mile on the turf
I’m hoping this quartet will sing: My main pick is favorite #4 CLASSIC Q (3-1 morning line) for HOF trainer Mark Casse with top jock Jose Ortiz stretching back out with better post; coupling her with long shot #1 LIKELY PERSPECTIVE (20-1), who adds blinkers for superior trainer Al Stall Jr.; # EXPATRIATE (9-2) with Flavien Prat and #9 HOPE MISSION (7-2) for powerful combo of Brendan Walsh and Irad Ortiz Jr.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($40)
Race 8 (4:19 p.m. ET/1:19 p.m. PT) — $200K ISAAC MURPHY MARATHON for 4YOs & up going 1 1/2-mile
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY is #1 HONOR MARIE (7-2 morning line), my pick to win last year’s Kentucky Derby. Trained by up-and-comer Whit Beckman, this is the colt’s second race as a 4-year-old. Young rider Ben Curtis climbs back aboard. On my honor role.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 9 (4:52 p.m. ET/1:52 p.m. PT) — $300K WILLIAM WALKER STAKES for 3YOs going 5½ furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed’s betting on #6 MAKEIT TO CHEYENNE (4-1 morning line) for journeyman conditioner Joe Orseno, who enters the lightly raced gelding after a pair of impressive wins. I’m looking for the sprinter to get there. Irad Ortiz Jr. returns in sthe addle.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $176
THURBY AT THE DERBY: Once upon a time, leading up to the 1970s (yes, Mr. Ed remembers) about 100,000 racing fans squeezed into the aging clubhouse and grandstand at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. Out-of-towners attending the Derby began to outnumber local folks. So locals decided that they would show up the day before, claiming Friday at the Derby as their own. Early in the 21st century, Friday crowds, with the popularity of Friday-Saturday packages, began to match Saturday. Thus, Thurby was born. No telling how many folks will be at Churchill Downs on Thurby, but those who do will be treated to an exciting 12-race program, accompanied by mint juleps, designer outfits and friends. If you can’t attend Thurby at the Derby, count on Mr. Ed to be here at VSiN.com with his picks.
