Keeneland Picks for Thursday, October 16:
TRACKING MR. ED: Tyler Gaffalione captured Mr. Ed’s mythical Rider of the Day award on Wednesday, winning the final two contests on the short, but entertaining eight-race card at Keeneland. Gaffalione’s late $2 Daily Double paid a healthy $127.60. No other rider or trainer scored more than a single winner. At the windows, the average $2 Win ticket returned $11.37. Moving on to Thursday’s very playable nine-race card, headlined by Race 8, a $130K Allowance for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up, has attracted a competitive field of a dozen coeds. Under expected sunny skies, first race post is set for 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections.
Mr. Ed’s Picks at Keeneland for Thursday (10/16)
Race 1 — $66K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a pair in Leg 1 of the Daily Double: #4 SHEZAFUNKYDRUMMER (2-1 morning line) for Chicago-based trainer Larry Rivelli who drops coed in class and brings back sneaky-good jockey Jareth Loveberry, and #8 MILA ROSE (3-1) for all-time winningest trainer Steve Asmusssen, who rehires top jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. Either filly will be tough to beat.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 4,8/4,10. ($20)
Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) — $53K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 2YO fillies going 6 furlongs
My money’s on either longshot #4 SACRED PRAYER (10-1 morning line) for trainer Ron Moquett with Irad Ortiz, Jr. back in the saddle, and #10 TOPIC THUNDER (9-2), dropping in class for trainer Eddie Kenneally. Both youthful coeds are capable of improvement.
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes his “million-dollar baby” #7 OUR FOREFATHERS (4-1 morning line), son of Constitution, who sold for $1.2M as a yearling. Making his second start for trainer Peter Eurton and jockey Luis Saez, a big step forward is expected.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going 5½-furlongs on the grass
Three for the money: #1 ITS BOURBON THIRTY (8-1 morning line) tries shorter distance for low-profile connections of Jeremiah O’Dwyer and young rider Ben Curtis; #10 OUR STARRY NIGHT (8-1) for excellent trainer Phil Bauer and top rider Luis Saez, and #12 CONFRONT (5-2) for super team of Brad Cox and Irad Ortiz, Jr.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 1,10,12. ($30).
Race 6 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s pick is #8 DR. KAPUR (5-2 morning line). Sharp works indicate Saffie Joseph, Jr.-trained youngster is prepared to improve on impressive Spa debut. Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. replaces Luis Saez.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — $130K OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile
My choice is longshot #7 MACKMAN (8-1 morning line) for trainer Matt Shirer with Ben Curtis riding. Son of Union Rags is returning from six months off from Winter in Arkansas, where he was generally in the mix. It’s time to make a forward move.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 8 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT) — $140K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the grass
Mr. Ed likes #9 PROCTOR STREET (5-2 morning line) for the sharp team of trainer Brendan Walsh and jockey Tyler Gaffalione. Coed has been in the money in five of six starts, with three wins. Daughter of Street Sense just makes dollars and cents.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $20 to Win & $5 Daily Double with 9&10. ($30)
Race 9 (5:16 p.m. ET/2:16 p.m. PT) — $55K STARTER ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
To complete the DD and close out the card, Mr. Ed likes two: #9 DOZEN DIAMONDS (9-2 morning line) for trainer Chris Hartman and jockey Florent Geroux, and #10 GOLDEN IRISH (8-5) for trainer/TV analyst Tom Amoss with Jose Ortiz in the saddle.
TOTAL WAGERS: $130
FRIDAY AT KEENELAND: Yes, we have no stakes, but nonetheless, the 10-race card has plenty of competitive races on which to wager. For those players who like maiden races, the card features four, along with a few allowance and claiming contests. Early Breeders’ Cup alert: The two-day, 14-race event is scheduled for two weeks from today, October 31, and November 1.
