Keeneland Picks for Thursday, April 16:
HORSING AROUND: Veteran jockey Tyler Gaffalione continued his riding rebound from an early April slump by booting home three winners on Wednesday. Not to be outdone, Irad Ortiz, Jr. saved his best riding for the end of the eight-race, midweek program. The two premier riders at the Spring meet are beginning to fire on all cylinders, and I expect both of them will maintain their recent winning ways. Make note: Mr. Ed (his selections below) is using both jockeys throughout his Thursday picks. Wrapping up Wednesday’s news, no trainer had more than a single score, while the average $2 win ticket paid slightly less than $10. Racing resumes at Keeneland on Thursday with the first race going to post at 1:00 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.
Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Selections for Thursday (4/16)
Race 1 — $51K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 4YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a pair in Leg 1 of an early DD: #3 DEVIL OF PARADIS (9-2 morning line) for under-the-radar trainer Michael Evans II and rider Constantino Roman, and #4 SUNSET HARBOUR (8-1) for Carlos David and jockey Mario Gutierrez.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 3,4/1,3 ($20)
Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 4½ furlongs
To capture the early DD, Mr. Ed will take a shot with #1 RUIVA (8-5 morning line) for duo of Wesley Ward with Irad Ortiz riding, and
#3 PERFECT MO (12-1) for longshot specialist trainer Eric Foster.
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going 5½ furlongs on the grass
Mr. Ed’s betting on Danny Gargan’s #2 GELLHORN (6-1 morning line) with jockey Flavien Prat riding the filly for the first time. Overdue to score.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place ($20)
Race 4 (2:36 p.m. ET/11:36 a.m. PT) — $58K CLAIMING for 3YOs & Up going 7 furlongs
My chalky pick is #3 SHANGRALA ROAD (6-5 morning line) for Brian Cox–Irad Ortiz combo. Returns to KY to pick up a second win.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win & $10 Daily Double of 3&5. ($20)
Race 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT) — $140K ALLOWANCE for 4YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes the repeat of Cox-Ortiz, Jr. combo with #5 JUST A TOUCH (8-5 morning line). Just a perfect DD.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Page 6 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 4YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile
Three appeal to Mr. Ed: #3 IVORY AND EBONY (7-2 morning line) for popular KY-based trainer and U.S. Senate candidate Dale Romans who hires jockey Junior Alvarado; and #4 METFARDEH (9-2), a $2.3 million filly trained by HOFer Todd Pletcher with sharp Flavien Prat riding, and favorite #7 CLAIRITA (4-5) for Philip Bauer with Luis Saez aboard. Two of these for the money.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box ($30)
Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — $130K ALLOWANCE for 4YOs & Up going 1½-mile
I like veteran marathoner #8 CHAPMAN’S PEAK (9-5 morning line) for Brad Cox with Irad Ortiz, Jr. Super versatile gelding can run from front or back. In Irad I trust to find the winning route.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 8 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT) — $73K STARTER ALLOWANCE for 4YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile
I like a DD to close out the card. Bet #4 AMERICAN LAW (6-1 morning line) with huge rider upgrade to Tyler Gaffalione, and #5 CLOONEY (2-1) with Irad Ortiz, Jr. Triple threat.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 4,5/3,4. ($20)
Race 9 (5:16 p.m. ET/2:16 p.m. PT) — $140K ALLOWANCE for 4YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile on the grass
Mr. Ed likes #3 COMMON DEFENSE (3-1 morning line) for popular KY-trainer Kenny McPeek with Jose Ortiz riding, and longshot #4 FLYING MOHAWK (15-1) for up-and-coming trainer Whit Beckman with Tyler Gaffalione.
TOTAL WAGERS: $140
UPCOMING WITH MR. ED: The $400K DOUBLEDOGDARE STAKES for the ladies headlines Friday’s very good race card. Also on the program are a pair of competitive Allowance Optional Claimers. First race on the card goes at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. Excellent Spring weather is expected. Mr. Ed will be here with his picks and commentary.
