Keeneland Picks for Friday, October 3:
TRACKING MR. ED: If today’s Opening Day program at Keeneland is any indication, fans playing the ponies at the oh-so-special Lexington, KY, facility are in for an afternoon of super-competitive racing. For instance, of the six horses entered in Race 7, the $400K G2 STOLL KEENON OGDEN PHOENIX, four have lifetime earnings in excess of $1 million. And topping the super-charged card is Race 9, the $650K G1 DARLEY ALCIBIADES, featuring 2YO coed superstar, Tommy Jo. The remainder of the program consists of three stakes, as well as several challenging allowance and maiden contests. First post is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT under sunny skies. Here are Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections.
Mr. Ed’s Picks at Keeneland for Friday, October 3
Race 1 — $55K STARTER ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-miles
Mr. Ed gets the Fall meet started with a Daily Double. He likes #2 MISS ELLARY (7-2 morning line) with talented Tyler Gaffalione returning in the saddle for trainer Lauren Robson, and #7 NERAZURRI (5-2) with huge rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz, Jr. for conditioner Angel Quiroz. Either coed is capable of a winning effort.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 2,7/6,9. ($20)
Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) — $55K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 2YOs going 6½ furlongs
I like a pair here, too: #8 PERFECT AUDIBLE (5-1 morning line) sounds like a winner for Team Asmussen (father Steve & son Keith); and #9 FAME CHASER (3-1) for Wesley Ward and Walter Rodriguez. Either one for the money.
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 1 1/16-mile on turf
Mr. Ed’s pick is #5 TRUST ACCOUNT (9-2 morning line) with Tyler Gaffalione returning to saddle for hot-shot turf trainer Brendan Walsh. Well-bred coed needs a better break. I trust connections.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:36 p.m. ET/11:26 a.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for 2YO fillies going 6 furlongs
Here are three for the money: #1 KINGSOLVER (3-1 morning line) for tough combo of trainer Rudy Brisset and rider Flavien Prat; #4 SPA PROSPECTOR (6-1) for popular TV analyst/savvy trainer Tom Amoss with Jose Ortiz up, and #7 DONNA ROMANO (9-5) for trainer Brad Cox and tip-top rider Irad Ortiz, Jr.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & up going about 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed takes a shot with #5 HITCHCOCK (8-1 morning line) for sharp West Coast trainer Peter Eurton with rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz, Jr. Quick recent work and extra distance points to excellent effort by expensive son of Quality Road.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 6 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed listens to #2 HEAR THE QUEEN (7-2 morning line) as the coed makes the move to grass a winning one. Brad Cox trains, Irad Ortiz rides.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Races 7-10 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — $.50 Pick 4*
R7: 2,3,4,5
R8: 1,2,4,8,12
R9: 3
R10: 2,3,4,10 ($40)
* In the event of a scratch, the post-time favorite is the substitute pick.
Race 9 (5:16 p.m. ET/2:16 p.m. PT) — $650K G1 DARLEY ALCIBIADES for 2YO fillies going 1 1/16-mile
In final prep for Breeders’ Cup, odds-on favorite #3 TOMMY JO (2-5 morning line) meets five other coeds. Daughter of Into Mischief is trained by HOFer Todd Pletcher with fellow HOFer Johnny Velazquez aboard. She’s the real deal.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $40 to Win. ($40)
TOTAL WAGERS: $180
WEEKEND AT KEENELAND: Look for Mr. Ed’s picks for both Saturday and Sunday as Keeneland presents its annual Fall Stars Weekend. Six graded stakes are on tap for Saturday, highlighted by the Race 10 $1,250,000 G1 COOLMORE TURF MILE (5:48 p.m. ET/2:48 p.m. PT).
