Keeneland Picks for Thursday, October 23:
TRACKING MR. ED: All-time winningest trainer Steve Asmussen was the lone conditioner or jockey to win more than one race on Wednesday. However, the biggest score of the day belonged to trainer John Ennis and rider Edgar Morales. They teamed up to capture Race 5 with their maiden #5 COCO CONNECT, who paid $54.34 on a $2 Win ticket. Speaking of which, the average $2 ticket, aided by the aforementioned coed’s score, returned just shy of $14. And, Mr. Ed had a good day, making a #4 BEELINE to the cashier window after Race 6 to collect $16.60. Thursday’s 9-race program, headlined by Race 9 $150K Allowance contest for fillies and mares, goes to post at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. Sunny skies with highs in the low-70s are expected. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN picks.
Mr. Ed’s picks at Keeneland for Thursday (10/23)
Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going about 7 furlongs
Yes, there is no Daily Double today. Race 1 is way too tough, even for Mr. Ed. In this maiden contest, he likes the favorite, first-time-starter #6 LEADING CHANGE (8-5 morning line) for the top team of trainer Brad Cox and jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. The expensive son of Gun Runner appears ready to score at first asking.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $150K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 5½ furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed likes #3 TWIRLING QUEEN (2-1 morning line), another favorite, this one trained by Jose D’Angelo with Luis Saez riding. Sprinter, with six trips to Winner’s Circle, has enough back class to handle a lackluster bunch. If she breaks on top, she’ll finish on top.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 4 (2:36 p.m. ET/11:36 a.m. PT) — $63K STARTER ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed is betting on a trio: #3 PAPA YO (7-2 morning line) with promising young rider Ben Curtis; #5 ASKARI (4-1) with talented rider Luis Saez, and #6 SWEETALKINGBOURBON (5-2) with Jose Ortiz aboard.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going a mile on the grass
Mr. Ed refuses to give up on rookie trainer Whit Beckman, who sends out #2 REAL DRAMA (9-2 morning line) with legendary Frankie Dettori for the horse’s second career start. Looking for the coed to benefit from the cutback. Note: Beckman had a winner on Wednesday.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 6 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT) — $55K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile
Route comes down to a two-horse race between a pair of well-bred two-time starters dropping in class, #4 NUANCED (7-2 morning line) and #5 PRIVATE SHOW (5-1), my choice for trainer Brad Cox with new rider Luis Saez. Mr. Ed’s counting on a public display of speed.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place & $2 Exacta Box. ($24)
Races 7-9 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — $1 PICK 3
R7: 1,7,9
R8: 2,3,4,6
R9: 1,6,10 ($36)
Race 8 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT) — $130K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies & mares, 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
In a super-competitive sprint, Mr. Ed likes #4 SAM’S TREASURE (6-5 morning line) for excellent trainer Paulo Lobo with top rider Irad Ortiz coming back to ride. I’ll bet her with three others: #2 TANYA SHOWERS (3-1), #3 CARESS (4-1), and #6 ERVADEAN (6-1).
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 4/2,3,6. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $170.
FRIDAY AT KEENELAND: Major league stakes racing returns on Friday with Race 6, the $250K DEAN DORTON MYRTLEWOOD sprint for 2YO fillies and Race 9 $400K G2 VALLEY VIEW turf mile for 3YO fillies. Also on the 10-race card are several allowance and high-quality claiming contests. Sunny skies with highs in the low-70s are in the forecast.
