Keeneland Picks for Saturday, April 11:
THE KEENELAND SCENE: Mr. Ed wishes he could report a big winning day in the $400 Keeneland Betting Challenge. Unfortunately, not today. That boat has sailed. What he can report is a good time was had by all those competing and at trackside. A few examples: Friday was College Scholarship Day, with close to 10K young folks, clad in bow ties, blazers, and sundresses, on hand hoping to claim some $$$$ for education. Meanwhile, on the third floor of the clubhouse, a few hundred mostly senior citizens joined Mr. Ed, competing for big cash awards.
YESTERDAY AND TODAY: The lone jockey or trainer to win more than a single race was HOFer Johnny Velasquez, who booted home back-to-back scores in Races 7 and 8, rewarding backers $16.14 and $6.02, respectively. Mr. Ed only VSiN win paid $42.20 on a $20 wager. Other highlights at the windows included another bomb returning $93 in Race 6 from the Eric Foster barn. Without the bomb, the average $2 win ticket returned $11.36. Moving on to today, the 11-race card is loaded with several excellent stakes, headlined by the R10 $400K G3 Lexington Stakes at a mile for 3YOs. The opener goes to post at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. Here’s a brief look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections.
Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Selections for Saturday (4/11)
Race 1 — $53K MAIDEN CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed likes a pair in the first leg of early DD: #1 SPEED SKATER (7-2 morning line) for sizzling team of Brad Cox and a big rider upgrade to Flavien Prat stretching out; and #6 NUTS AND BOLTS (9-2) for veteran Kenny McPeek’s barn.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 1,6/3,6. ($20)
Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) $48K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & Up going 7 furlongs.
Mr. Ed’s duo to complete DD are #3 STANDARD DEDUCTION (7-2 morning line) for trainer Chris Block with crafty Jareth Loveberry riding; and #6 BEALE STREET BOY (3-1) for popular local conditioner Ben Colebrook, who adds blinkers and brings Luan Machado back to ride. Either one will do.
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $50K ALLOWANCE for 4YOs & Up going 1⅛ mile
My choice is #4 MONEY RUN (5-2 morning line) with Flavien Prat in the saddle for West Coast-based trainer Peter Miller. Distance specialist fits the bill.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 4 (2:36 p.m. ET/11:36 a.m. PT) —$110 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going 6½ furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #8 ROCKIN ROBIN (3-1 morning line) for celebrated HOF trainer Mark Casse and with a big rider upgrade to Tyler Gaffalione. It’s about time, Tyler.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s money is on consistent #3 COMPREHENSIVE (5-2 morning line) for the highly productive Brian Lynch barn. Jockey Mario Gutierrez retained for a fifth shot at a maiden breaker. Play with outsiders #10 & #12.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 3,10,12. ($30)
Race 6 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT) — $130K OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 4YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed’s pick is #3 ORIGINAL SIN (8-1 morning line) for hot Brendan Walsh barn, who brings Tyler Gaffalione back for a return visit to Winner’s Circle. Look for late foot.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for 4YOs going a mile on the grass.
I like these three: #4 CIRO DI MARZIO (4-1 morning line) for crafty Wesley Ward with Joel Rosario; #6 ARKHIPOV (8-5) with Prat aboard, and #7 NOBLE CONFESSOR (3-1) for HOF trainer Todd Pletcher and Gaffalione. Three for the money.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 10 (5:48 p.m. ET/2:48 p.m. PT) — $400K LEXINGTON STAKES for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed likes #9 EZUM (2-1 morning line) for Brad Cox with Flavien Prat in the saddle, and #10 CONFESSIONAL (7-2) for Cox and Irad Ortiz Jr. Either one to begin DD.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 Daily Double of 9,10/3,6. ($40)
Race 11 (6:20 p.m. ET/3:20 p.m. PT) $110 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs going 11/16-mile on the grass
To complete the DD, play #3 ROYAL GUARD (5-1 morning line) for Cox barn and Irad Ortiz, and #6 WEST END KID (9-2) for William Walden and Gaffalione. Load up the Brink’s.
TOTAL WAGERS: $180
“Keep in mind, friends and followers, a bad day at the track beats a good day anywhere else.”
