Keeneland Picks for Wednesday, October 22:
HORSING AROUND: Today kicks off the final few days of the annual FallStars meet. Here are the current standings for leading jockey and leading trainer. Irad Ortiz, Jr., with 18 wins, leads all riders, followed by Luis Saez (14), Jose Ortiz (12), Tyler Gaffalione (11) and Johnny Velasquez (11). As for top trainers, Brendan Walsh has the most wins with nine, followed by Steve Asmussen (seven), Brad Cox (seven), Todd Pletcher (six) and Wesley Ward (six). All of them, with the exception of Pletcher, are listed to compete today. Backstretch whisper: Popular longtime Kentucky-based trainer Dale Romans is considering a dive into the world of KY politics with a run for the U. S. Senate. Also heard that trainer Jimmy Jerkens, back from two years abroad, is in the USA managing conditioner Kenny McPeek’s NY stable. As for today’s eight-race card, everything is FAST & FIRM under sunny skies. First race post time is 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive selections at Keeneland.
Mr. Ed’s picks at Keeneland for Wednesday (10/22)
Race 1 — $49K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed likes a Daily Double beginning with #1 MANAGE XPECTATIONS (1-1 morning line) for veteran KY-based trainer Paul McGee and rider Colby Hernandez, and #8 ONMYWAYTOSAVTHDAY (3-1) for NY-based trainer David Jacobson, who brings Tyler Gaffalione back to ride.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 1,8/3,6. ($20)
Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) — $85K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 1 1/16-mile
To complete the DD, Mr. Ed’s betting on #3 CLASSIC GLIDE (4-1 morning line) for savvy Robert Medina with Tyler Gaffalione in the saddle and longshot #6 LEXICO (20-1) for up-and-coming trainer Whit Beckman with young Ben Curtis riding.
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $58K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
I like favorite #4 COLONEL CALIENTE (5-2 morning line) with Tyler Gaffalione returning to ride for Mike Maker after finishing fourth in slop at Churchill. Cutback in distance should agree with the colonel.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:36 p.m. ET/11:36 a.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & up going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed picks a trio: #1 RAPOPORT (7-2 morning line) off the claim for new trainer Brendon Walsh, who adds blinkers, switches surface, hires top rider and cuts back to a mile; and #3 CLEAR THE BEACH (9-2) who stretches out with Adam Beschizza returning to ride, and #8 MARY’S LAD (20-1), who stretches out for trainer Whit Beckman. Vastly improved effort expected.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT) — $110 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 7½ furlongs
Expensive coed #5 TOUCH OF AN ANGEL (9-2 morning line) is my choice. Trainer Phil D’Amato adds blinkers as he stretches the gal out. Luis Saez returns to ride.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 6 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT) — $130K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed is betting on HOF jockey Johnny Velazquez, who is having an excellent meet, to boot #4 BEELINE (9-2 morning line) home to victory for young trainer Riley Mott. Plan on cashing a Win ticket.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for 2YOs going 1 1/16-mile on the grass
To close out the card, Mr. Ed offers a DD: #1 SADIE EARP (4-1 morning line) for hot trainer Wesley Ward, who joins up with rider Tyler Gaffalione, and #11 MEMORIZED (3-1) for the top team of Chad Brown and Irad Ortiz, Jr. Remember these coeds’ names.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Daily Doubles of 2,11/1,3. ($20)
Race 8 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3 YOs & up going 6 furlongs
To end the day on a winning note, Mr. Ed likes either of these to win finale: #1 NU WHAT’S NEW (3-1 morning line) for trainer Jimmy DiVito who hires HOF jockey Victor Espinoza to ride, or #3 EL PRESTIGiO (4-1) for Steve Asmussen, who makes big rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz, Jr. What’s new, senor?
TOTAL WAGERS: $110
THURSDAY AT KEENELAND: Good news ahead, VSiN racing fans: Keeneland is promising excellent racing menus with a number of juicy stakes over the final weekend of the Fall meet. Unfortunately, Thursday’s program is not worth writing much about: a mixed bag of allowance and claiming contests. Mr. Ed will be back to handicap the final four cards and begin to set the table for Breeders’ Cup 2025 at Del Mar on Friday, October 31, and Saturday, November 1.
