Keeneland Picks for Friday, October 24:
SIGNPOST UP AHEAD: Welcome to CHALK CITY. Going into Thursday’s nine-race program, a TV tout informed those few paying attention that favorites were winning 30% of races, or slightly below the industry average. Earlier in the meet, favorites were winning at close to 40%. Today’s results, with the average $2 Win ticket returning a meager $7.33, drove the favorite winning percentage below the 30% mark. On the track, Irad Ortiz, Jr. led all jockeys with three trips to the Winner’s Circle, followed by Tyler Gaffalione with a pair of wins. Brad Cox, whose barn is heating up, led trainers with a pair of wins. Friday’s 10-race card features a pair of stakes. Sunny skies are expected with a high in the low-70s. Post time for Race 1 is 1:00 a.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections.
Mr. Ed’s picks at Keeneland for Friday (10/24)
Race 1 — $50K CLAIMING for 3YOs going 6½ furlongs
Mr. Ed picks for an early Daily Double: #2 INNOVA (6-1 morning line) from savvy trainer Michael Stidham with talented jockey Luis Saez. Gelding might wire the field. And, #3 RAVENS DREAM (5-1) for winningest-all-time trainer Steve Asmussen with his son Keith in the saddle. Pair teamed up for a score on Wednesday.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 2,3/1,11. ($20)
Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) — $48K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
To complete the DD, Mr. Ed’s betting on either #1 NO MOR STONES (7-2 morning line) for Larry Rivelli barn with Jareth Loveberry riding, or #11 TIZ MY HERO (8-1), who takes a big class drop for Rohan Crichton with Jaime Torres riding.
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $130K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs going 1⅛-mile
Mr. Ed likes classy #6 CHUNK OF GOLD (5-2 morning line) for trainer Ethan West with a huge rider upgrade to Jose Ortiz. Watch choice fly from the gate, last for victory.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs fillies going 1⅛-mile on the grass
Mr. Ed likes trio: #3 KENTUCKY BELLE (7-2 morning line), expensive coed for powerful combo of Brad Cox and Irad Ortiz, Jr.; #4 IMPROBABLE U (6-1) for hot jock Johnny Velazquez, and #11 COUNTERINTUITIVE (4-1), for Chad Brown with Flavien Prat. Any two of three for the money.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 6 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT) — $250K DEAN DORTON MYRTLEWOOD STAKES for 2YO fillies going 6 furlongs
I just had to pick #5 WOODSTOCK (7-2 morning line) for trainer Mike Maker with jockey Luis Saez. In addition to being a promising sprinter, her name takes me back to younger years.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
I’m betting on #9 BRACELET (6-1 morning line) for Brad Cox, whose barn is heating up, who makes a huge rider upgrade to Flavien Prat. It’s stakes win time for the coed.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 8 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT) — $140K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile
I like #6 GENEROUS TIPPER (5-2 morning line) for KY-based trainer Kenny McPeek , who recruits rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. to make stakes score in the first race back from Meydan.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 9 (5:16 p.m. ET/2:16 p.m. PT) — $400K G2 VALLEY VIEW STAKES for 3YO fillies going a mile on the grass
Mr. Ed likes a Late DD of #2 PLAY WITH FIRE (2-1 morning line), returning from break for Chad Brown, who retains Flavien Prat in the irons, and #6 CLASSIC Q (7-2) for Mark Casse with Jose Ortiz riding. Either one keeps Mr. Ed alive for the DD score.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 2,6/4,5. ($20)
Race 10 (5:48 p.m. ET/2:48 p.m. PT) — $63K STARTER ALLOWANCE for 2YOs going 6½ furlongs
I like a pair to complete the DD: #4 JUST LIKE MAX (6-1 morning line) for trainer Genaro Garcia and rider Gabriel Saez, and #5 J J GREY for Kenny McPeek with Emanuel Esquivel in the saddle. Nothing quite like leaving a track with DD money.
TOTAL WAGERS: $120.
CLOSING DAY AT KEENELAND: The closing day of the FallStars meet features a 10-race program, highlighted by three stakes races. With excellent autumn weather expected, Race 1 post time is 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. Look for Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections.
