Keeneland Picks for Saturday, April 18:
KEEPING SCORE: After Irad Ortiz Jr. booted home another four winners on Friday, Mr. Ed’s beginning to think Keeneland is his world and we’re only living in it. Other efforts worth recognition are jockey Flavien Prat with a pair of wins. In the race for leading trainer, Wesley Ward and Todd Pletcher each had a pair of winners. Trainer Brad Cox and Irad teamed up to capture the day’s feature contest, the G2 DOUBLEDOGDAY STAKES with #1 ALPINE PRINCESS. At the windows, the average $2 win ticket paid a chalky $9.80.
HORSING AROUND ON SATURDAY Into every horseplayer’s life … a little rain must fall, putting a damper on one’s efforts to find winners at the track. For example, showers appear to be a certainty on Saturday at both Keeneland in Lexington, KY, and Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, AK. Below, regardless of the wet weather forecast, Mr. Ed offers his top prospects at Keeneland and serves up a sweet stakes pick from Oaklawn: the Arkansas Derby. Mr. Ed believes the stakes-rich, 11-race card at Keeneland, the toughest of the meet so far, must be approached with caution. As he reminded players last week, sometimes the bet never made is the best bet. First post at Keeneland is 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections (expect multiple scratches if the weather is inclement) for Saturday.
Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Selections for Saturday (4/18)
Race 1 — $110 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed likes a pair in Leg 1 of early DD: #2 SONG OF SARAH (2-1 morning line), for excellent trainer Danny Gargan, who retains top rider Joel Rosario, and #5 BABYSITTER (9-2), expensive late-blooming filly from Brendan Walsh barn, who adds blinkers with big rider upgrade to Luis Saez.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 2,5/1,8. ($20)
Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) — $49K CLAIMING for 3YOs & Up going 1⅛ mile
To close out the DD, Mr. Ed’s betting on #1 D DAY SKY (9-2 morning line) for West Coast trainer Peter Eurton and Tyler Gaffalione, and #8 WHISKEY SHOT (9-5) for Rudy Brisset, who brings back Flavien Prat to ride the first-time gelding.
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going 5½- furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed’s choice is #8 PERFECT FIGURE (5-1 morning line), making her second start for trainer Wesley Ward following a claim from Brad Cox. Flavien Prat rides for the first time. She loves to finish in the money. She has the look of a winner.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 4 (2:36 p.m. ET/11:36 a.m. PT) — $55K STARTER ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile
I’ll take a shot with a mudder, #6 ARMED N DANGEROUS (10-1 morning line) for trainer Rick Sillaman, who gets popular local jock Brian Hernandez to accept the ride. Gelding has won two of four wet track starts. That’s good enough for Mr. Ed to bet.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)
Race 6 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for 3YO fillies going 1 3/16-mile on the grass
Mr. Ed takes note when savvy rider Flavien Prat picks up a ride on an improving filly for the top Brad Cox barn. He’s betting on favorite #9 KENTUCKY BELLE (8-5 morning line) to bury a weak field of coeds. This bell gets rung.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 9/3,4,7 ($15)
Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT ) — $130K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 4YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes three for the money: #3 KALAHARI DREAMS (7-2 morning line) with Luis Saez returning to saddle for trainer Phil Bauer; #4 KEEP IT EASY (6-1), shipping in from Tampa Bay for Dale Romans; #7 WHATCHATALKINABOUT (8-5) for sprint superstar Wesley Ward with rider upgrade to Joel Rosario. A solid threesome.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 3,4,7. ($30)
Race 9 (5:16 p.m. ET/2:16 p.m. PT) — $350K G3 BEN ALI STAKES for 4YOs & Up going 1 3/16-mile
Mr. Ed likes longshot gelding for trainer Whit Beckman, #9 HONOR MARIE (10-1 morning line). Gelding was Mr. Ed’s Derby horse and ran an honest race. Jockey J.D. Ramos is in Lexington to ride. Bomb’s away.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)
Race 10 (5:48 p.m. ET/2:48 p.m. PT) — $400K G2 ELKHORN STAKES for 4YOs & Up going 1½ miles on the turf
My pick is veteran campaigner #8 TAWNY PORT (9-2 morning line), trained by young Miguel Clement, who brings Joel Rosario back to ride. Watch for the gelding to close like a runaway freight train.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 11 (6:20 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YO fillies going about 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed is a long-time fan of trainer Steve Asmussen, who sends out #3 FAST GUN (6-1 morning line) with Tyler Gaffalione on board. Fast son of Gun Runner closes out an excellent card.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
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Oaklawn Park Race 11 (6:40 p.m. ET/3:40 p.m. PT) OAKLAWN HANDICAP
Best race of the day shapes up as a three-way battle among multi-millionaires. Mr. Ed’s pick is #5 JOURNALISM (5-2 morning line). Trained by Mike McCarthy, ridden by Jose Ortiz, he looks primed for a huge effort. Favorite #3 SOVEREIGNTY (4-5) returns for the Bill Mott barn. Needs race to beat these tough, old guys. Tab for Fall campaign. Also in the fight #1 WHITE ABARRIO (7-2) with top jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr.
OAKLAWN SELECTION: $20 to Win; $5 Exacta Box of 1,3,5. ($50)
TOTAL WAGERS:$195
“Never mind the horse is blind, just keep loading the wagon.” – late, great John Madden
