Keeneland Picks for Wednesday, October 8:
HORSING AROUND: There’s nothing quite like having a few winners to get Mr. Ed’s handicapping juices flowing. Then, again, there’s nothing like a D minus, mid-week, puny eight-race card at Keeneland to stem the flow. At first glance, it appears 80% of today’s runners have either won none or one race. Most serious horseplayers, after taking one look at the program, would move on to Thursday’s past performances or go fishing. Since Mr. Ed’s job is to publish his picks, rain or shine, and post them on VSiN.com, he’s decided to combine the best of both worlds and go fishing for winners.
TRACKING MR. ED: After the first three days of racing at Keeneland, HOFer Johnny Velazquez leads all riders with seven wins, followed by Tyler Gaffalione and Irad Ortiz, Jr. with four each. Brendan Walsh and Todd Pletcher are tied atop the trainer standings with five wins, followed by Wesley Ward with four. With rain in the forecast for Wednesday, expect many scratches, resulting in short fields and sloppy conditions. First post is 1:00 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. Here’s the bait, now let’s go fishing.
Mr. Ed’s Picks at Keeneland for Wednesday (10/08)
Race 1 — $58K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed begins the dismal day with some Daily Doubles. He likes two in the first leg: #4 HANDSOME PANTS (4-1 morning line) drops in class, takes blinkers off, gets gelded and rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz, Jr. for Kenny McPeek; and #8 PROTECTIVE (2-1) for the powerful Repole barn, trained by Joe Sharp and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Daily Doubles of 4,8/7,8. ($20)
Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) — $55K MAIDEN CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going six furlongs
To complete the DD, Mr. Ed likes a pair: #7 DIDN’T IT RAIN (8-5 morning line), a hunch bet for veteran trainer Al Stall, Jr. and jockey Jane Elliott, and #8 NORTHERN VOYAGE (7-2) for West Coast trainer Peter Eurton with big rider switch to Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $55K STARTER ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed takes a shot with experienced mudder #7 BETTERA (6-1) for Windy City-based trainer Armando Hernandez with rider upgrade to Tyler Gaffalione. The wetter the better.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 to Win & Place. ($10).
Race 4 (2:36 p.m. ET/11:36 a.m. PT) — $53K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 2YOs going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed likes two of three for the money: #6 GRAY IS OKAY (7-2 morning line) drops in class, switches to dirt and gets rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz, Jr. for trainer Chris Hartman; #7 TINGUS PINGUS (5-2) for trainer Mike Maker with Tyler Gaffalione in saddle, and #13 CONSEQUENTIAL (3-1) on also eligible list for top team of Kenny McPeek and Irad Ortiz, Jr.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT) — $69K CLAIMING for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed likes longshot #2 OUTLIER (12-1 morning line) for low-key trainer Rick Hiles, who retains jockey Mario Gutierrez. Second back since the break. The wetter the better.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Win, Place & Show. ($15)
Race 6 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT) — $110 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile on the turf
My pick is #4 GOLD SOVEREIGN (3-1 morning line), young son of English Channel, gets distance relief, retains Jose Ortiz for outstanding trainer Chad Brown. Gold mine.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
I like Daily Doubles with these three in first leg: #3 NO WHAT IFS (2-1 morning line), enjoys sloppy conditions; #4 PRETTY SURE (6-1) for super-hot team of Brendan Walsh and Tyler Gaffalione, and #6 LADY GO GO (3-1) with young rider Irving Moncada for excellent trainer Tom Drury, Jr. A Keeneland Trio.
KEENELEND SELECTION: $5 Daily Double: 3,4,6/7. ($15)
Race 8 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT) — $130K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
My solo pick to complete the Daily Double is #7 CAMEO PERFORMANCE (7-5 morning line) for hot Brendan Walsh Barn with Tyler Gaffalione returning to ride. Second back from break, recent work says he’s ready to win.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
TOTAL WAGERS: $110
LOOKING AHEAD: Thursday’s 10-race program at Keeneland is a vast improvement over today’s unusually disappointing card. The highlights are three better-than-average allowance contests and a pair of competitive maiden special weight events. MAKE NOTE: It appears the weather in Lexington will continue to be unsettled. First post on Thursday is 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. Mr. Ed will return with his exclusive VSiN selections.
