Keeneland Picks for Friday, April 24:

MR. ED’S FINAL DERBY DIRTY DOZEN +1

For all fans and followers, here is Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN ranking of his top 13 (of probable 20) entries in the Kentucky Derby to be run at Churchill Downs at 6:57 p.m. ET/3:57 p.m. PT on May 2. Subject to change between now and then.

  1. FURTHER ADO (4-1 morning line) Brad Cox (trainer), Johnny Velasquez (jockey)
  2. COMMANDMENT (9-2) Brad Cox, Luis Saez
  3. RENEGADE (5-1) Todd Pletcher, Irad Ortiz, Jr.
  4. EMERGING MARKET (6-1) Chad Brown, Flavien Prat
  5. THE PUMA (8-1) Gustavo Delgado, Javier Castellano 
  6. FULLEFFORT (10-1) Brad Cox, Tyler Gaffalione 
  7. SILENT TACTIC (10-1) Mark Casse, Christian Torree
  8. POTENTE (12-1) Bob Baffert, Juan Hernandez
  9. SO HAPPY (12-1) Mark Glatt, Mike Smith 
  10. CHIEF WALLABEE (15-1) Bill Mott, Junior Alvarado
  11. GOLDEN TEMPO (15-1) Cherie DeVaux, Jose Ortiz
  12. ALBUS (20-1) Riley Mott, Manny Franco
  13. PAVLOVIAN (20-1) Doug O’Neill, Edwin Maldonado

FINAL DAY OF KEENELAND MEET: One look at today’s lackluster, 10-race card and Mr. Ed thought 99% of all the horses stabled at Keeneland had shipped up the road to Churchill Downs overnight, leaving only pets and ponies to race today. Well, the card is as it is, and Mr. Ed found a few entries worth playing. First post on the last day at Keeneland is at 1:00 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. The tracks are listed as FAST & FIRM with a chance of showers. Here are Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections for Friday.

Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Selections for Friday (4/24)

Race 1 — $48K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile 
Mr. Ed likes either of two: #3 BACKSIDE (9-5 morning line) running second race with blinkers for the powerful team of leading trainer Brad Cox and top jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. or #4 QUALITY SPIRITS (7-5) for veteran trainer Eddie Kenneally with young Ben Curtis on board for the third time. Just beginning to hit his stride.
KEENELAND SELECTION$ $5 Daily Double of 3,4/5,9 ($20)

Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies and mares going 5½ furlongs on the turf
To complete the DD, Mr. Ed likes either favorite #5 SHINING MOMENT (7-5 morning line) for Wes Ward and Irad Ortiz, Jr. or #9 JOKER’S CHIC (9-2) also for Ward with Gerardo Corrales making his second career start.

Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $48K MAIDEN CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3 YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile 
I’m willing to give #2 SPEED SKATER (6-5 morning line) a second shot on the rink for Brad Cox and Flavien Prat after close Placing a couple of weeks ago. Slight class drop is all cool, daughter of KEEN ICE needs to net score.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)

Race 4 (2:36 p.m. ET/11:36 a.m. PT) — $58K CLAIMING for 3YOs going 6 ½-furlongs
Mr. Ed likes three: #1 EPIC SUMMER (9-5 morning line) with Joel Rosario for trainer George Weaver; #2 DAMASCUS  STEEL (5-2) for the powerful team of Brad Cox & Irad Ortiz, and #3 NINE BALL (9-2) rider Jamie Torres and young trainer Riley Mott.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 1,2,3. ($30)

Race 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT) — $77K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOS & Up going 6 furlongs
Looks like 6th trip to the track and class drop are all #5 MAINSTREAM (6-5 morning line) needs to break his maiden. Team of Brad Cox and Irad Ortiz, Jr. post another chalky winner. 
KEENELAND SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)

Race 6 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 4Y0s & Up going about 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #1 SASSY PRINCESS (9-2 morning line) with Tyler Gaffalione riding; #2 TRUST FUND PHILLY (2-1) with Joel Rosario up, and #3 ABSOLUTE HONOR with Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the saddle. Best jockeys = best results.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 1,2,3. ($30)

Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — $69K STARTER ALLOWANCE for 4YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s SPECIAL PLAY OF THE DAY is #3 SWILL (5-1 morning line) for bombs-away trainer Eric Foster with low-profile jockey Fernando De La Cruz. Second start with savvy team sends gelding to the Winner’s Circle.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)

Race 8 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT) — $350K G3 BEWITCH STAKES for fillies and mares, 4YOs & Up going 1½ miles on the grass
My stakes pick is #6 MRS. ASTOR (4-1 morning line) for excellent trainer Jonathan Thomas with sharp rider upgrade to Jose Ortiz. West Coast invader has won four of the last six. Classy lady is poised for No. 5.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)

Race 9 (5:16 p.m. ET/2:16 p.m. PT) — $110 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs going 6 furlongs
Trainer Whit Beckman has longshot #6 IMPRACTICAL (10-1 morning line) headed in the right direction. Axel Concepcion returns to ride; expensive colt has what it takes to break maiden. 
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)

TOTAL WAGERS: $170

OPENING DAY AT CHURCHILL DOWNS: After a challenging Spring meet at Keeneland, it’s time to move Mr. Ed’s VSiN horseplaying circus up I-75 to Louisville for the beginning of Derby Week. Mr. Ed will be here tomorrow with his top selections from the 10-race card, highlighted by the $200K ROXELANA STAKES, a 6-furlong sprint for fillies and mares. First race goes to post at 12:45 p.m. ET/9:45 a.m. PT. Unfortunately, the weather forecast calls for a 70% chance of rain. Stay dry, my friends.

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