Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Entries:
RETURN TO CHALK CITY: After Wednesday’s card, where longshots ruled the day, Thursday’s nine-race program produced a festival of favorites, where the average $2 win ticket paid a meet-low $6.05. Jose Ortiz was the only rider to have a multi-win day with three. Nine different trainers posted one win apiece. Friday’s 10-race program begins at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. Popular jockey Tyler Gaffalione returns after spending two days on the bench for a whip violation. He’s listed to ride in six races. Let’s look at Mr. Ed’s Keeneland picks.
Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Picks for Friday (10/18)
Race 1 (1:00 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT) — $66K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going about 7 furlongs on turf
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #4 BLACK POWDER (4-1 morning line) for Eddie Kenneally, who hires Luis Saez to ride; #6 VITTORIO (7-2) for the Asmussen father-son team, and #8 OWN THE FIELD (3-1) Michael Maker and Irad Ortiz Jr. Three for the money.
KEENELAND PICK: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $53K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up about going 7 furlongs
I like #10 BOLD D’ORO (7-2 morning line) for low-profile trainer Greg Compton and underrated jockey Cristian Torres. Rest and stretch out suits speedster. Go bold.
KEENELAND PICK: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 4 (2:36 p.m. ET/11:36 a.m. PT) — $140K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on turf
I’m betting on STIR CRAZY (9-2 morning line) to come from off the pace to run down the rest of the field. Mike Maker trains with Luis Saez in the saddle … after all these years.
KEENELAND PICK: $10 To Win & Place ($20)
Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — $100 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going about 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #2 NOSLEEPTILBROOKLYN (9-5 morning line) for sharp trainer Brian Lynch, who signs Jose Ortiz to pilot young gal. Expensive daughter of Ghostzapper poised to score for Flying Dutchmen barn. Don’t sleep on classy filly.
KEENELAND PICK: $20 to Win & Box in $5 Exactas with 8,12. ($40)
Races 8-10 (4:44 p.m. PT/1:44 p.m. PT
To cap off the card, Mr. Ed likes $1 Pick 3:
R8: 3,6
R9: 5,8,10
R10: 6,8,10 ($18)
TOTAL WAGERS: $128
SATURDAY PREVIEW: A pair of high-quality sprint stakes, G3 $300K Perryville and G2 $35K Raven Run top the 10-race card at Keeneland. Mr. Ed looks forward to posting his picks here at VSiN.com.
