Keeneland Picks for Thursday, April 23:
While Wednesday’s card left something to be desired, today’s nine-race program offers several opportunities for followers of Mr. Ed to put money in their pocket. A note re: whereabouts of jockey Tyler Gaffalione. While he is not listed to ride today, he is expected to ride the final two days of the Keeneland meet. Again, no stakes but several very playable contests. Looking at yesterday’s results, Jockey Jose Ortiz, with four trips to the Winner’s Circle, including the final three races on the card, led the riders, while eight different trainers had a win apiece. At the windows, the average $2 ticket returned just shy of $10. And Mr. Ed had one of his best days of the meet. Looking ahead to Thursday, first post is 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. Here are Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN picks.
Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Selections for Thursday (4/23)
Race 1 — $72K CLAIMING for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed likes favorite #6 GETHSEMANE (3-5 morning line) for top trainer Brad Cox and leading rider Irad Ortiz, Jr., as expensive one-time winner takes class drop. If he breaks, he should have his way with five others.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 Daily Double of 6/3 & $5 DD of 6/2,8. ($20)
Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) — $90 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 5½ furlongs on the grass
Mr. Ed has three he likes: #3 THROUGH THE YEARS (7-5 morning line) for Wesley Ward with Joel Rosario, and #2 TOLSTOY (4-1) with Flavien Prat, or #8 WARTIME (9-2) trained by Steve Asmussen.
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $58K CLAIMING for 3YO fillies going 6½ furlongs
My confidence in trainer Whit Beckman is unwavering. He trains #4 MYA PAPAYA (7-2 morning line) with young Ben Curtis returning after a 10+ lengths romp in the slop at Fairgrounds. Coed can handle a step up in class. You go girl.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 4 (2:36 p.m. ET/11:36 a.m. PT) — $85K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs going 7 furlongs
Veteran Upstate-NY trainer Jeremiah Englehart brings promising sophomore #6 NEIGH BABY (2-1 morning line) south in search of maiden-breaker. Jose Ortiz once rode the son of Omaha Beach in NY. Chalk one up for shipper.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $20 To Win. ($20)
Race 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT) — $130K ALLOWANCE for 4YOs & Up going 1⅛-mile on the turf
Superior horseman Graham Motion returns to KY with gelding #8 SOLEIL VOLANT (4-1 morning line) and calls Johnny Velazquez back to ride.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place ($20)
Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 4YOs & Up going 1½-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes #6 TRICKY KITTY (3-1 morning line) for the excellent team of Brendan Walsh and Flavien Prat. Second try at a marathon sets up for one cool cat. #3 WORRY BE GONE (2-1) for Brad Cox and/or #5 ONTARIO (4-1) with Irad Ortiz, Jr. complete tough trio.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exact Box of 3,5,6. ($30)
Race 8 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YO fillies going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes either of two: #2 AEGIS (2-1 morning line) for underperforming trainer Joe Sharp, who makes a huge rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz, Jr., and #10 POISE (7-2) for winningest all-time trainer Steve Asmussen with Bro Jose on board. Son of Gun Runner looks like a future superstar.
KEENELAND SELECTION; $5 Daily Double of 2,10/2,5. ($20)
Race 9 (5:16 p.m. ET/2:16 p.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares, 4YOs & Up going 1⅛-mile on the turf
To complete late DD, Mr. Ed likes #2 MARY LOIS (8-1 morning line) for Chad Brown and new rider Flavin Prat, and #5 WHITETHORN (4-1) for Todd Pletcher and Irad Ortiz, Jr. Time for either of these to exit maiden ranks.
TOTAL WAGERS: $130
