Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Picks:
Keeneland is Mr. Ed’s happy place. Three weeks of high-stakes racing action, punctuated by generous purses, quality horses, the very best jockeys and trainers in the game, and unequaled, down-home Kentucky hospitality. If you like to gamble, drink bourbon and cash tickets, Keeneland is where to spend a Spring or Autumn afternoon. Upon arriving at the immaculate sprawling facility nestled in the rolling bluegrass outside Lexington for the first time in 1999, my handicapping mentor remarked, “A losing day here beats a winning day at any other track.” Two dozen years and at least 40 visits to Keeneland later, my degenerate pal’s words still ring true. (Note: Mr. Ed plans to be at his favorite track next weekend to compete in a $400 live money handicapping contest as a guest of longtime track executive and good friend Jim Goodman.) Let’s take a look at Friday’s Keeneland picks.
HORSES, JOCKEYS & TRAINERS TO WATCH: Several Breeders’ Cup aspirants, including millionaires Nakatomi, Nobals, Gear Jockey, Fluffy Socks, Gina Romantica, Talk of the Nation are entered to run over the next two days. Many of the nation’s premiere pilots are participating, including Luis Saez, Tyler Gaffalione, Frankie Dettori, Mike Smith, Umberto Rispoli, Manny Ortiz, Dylan Davis, Flavien Prat, and Jose Ortiz. Noted horsemen on hand include Hall of Fame members Steve Asmussen, D. Wayne Lukas, Bob Baffert, Bill Mott, and Mark Casse, as well as odds-on HOFers Chad Brown, Wesley Ward, and Brad Cox. For the next 17 racing days, Keeneland is where the thoroughbred action is!
OPENING DAY AT KEENELAND: Highlights of the 10-race card include the G2 $350K Ogden Phoenix sprint (Race 7), the G2 Jessamine stakes (Race 8) and the G1 $600K Darley Alcibiades (Race 9) for 2YO fillies, all preps for the Breeders’ Cup on November 1&2. Post time for today’s first race of Fall Stars Weekend is 1:00 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.
Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Picks for Friday, October 4
Race 1 (1:00 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT) — $64K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed likes two: #6 GATLINBURG (4-1 morning line) for the Asmussen father-son team. Return to dirt and stretch out better suits running style, and conditioner David Jacobson drops #7 PARKWAY (5-2) in class while retaining regular rider Ramon Vasquez. Road leads to Winner’s Circle.
KEENELAND PICK: $5 DAILY DOUBLES OF 6,7 with 3,8. ($20)
Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going a mile on turf
I like a pair: Closer #3 TEST SCORE (3-1 morning line) for excellent trainer Graham Motion and top NY-based rider Manny Franco, and #8 WEST BEACH (5-2), tactical youngster for Brendan Walsh who brings back crafty Tyler Gaffalione to ride.
KEENELAND PICK: Second leg of DAILY DOUBLES.
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going about 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s choice is #6 LORD I WONDER (5-1 morning line) for veteran excellent KY trainer Al Stall Jr., who hires leading rider Flavien Prat to pilot 3YO daughter of Twirling Candy to first victory. Excellent works indicate she’s ready. No doubt about choice.
KEENELAND PICK: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1 ⅛-mile on turf
I like a trio: #8 SELF CONFIDENT (4-1 morning line) for veteran conditioner Shug McGaughey and Manny Franco; #9 STYLISH SUE (8-1) for Joe Sharp-Frankie Dettori team, and Irish-bred closer #10 OLIVIA MARALDA (3-1), trained by Bill Walden, ridden by Flavien Prat. Easy as 8,9,10.
KEENELAND PICK: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — G2 $350K OGDEN PHOENIX for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF DAY is millionaire #4 NAKATOMI (7-5 morning line) for speed specialist Wesley Ward who retains Tyler Gaffalione in irons. With drop in class, gelding towers above this field.
KEENELAND PICK: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 8 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT) — G2 $350K JESSAMINE STAKES for 2YO fillies going 1 1/16-mile on turf
I like the trio: #2 ISLE OF CAPRI (9-2 morning line) stretching out, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione; #6 DESTINO D’ORO (3-1), trained by Brad Cox; and #8 MAY DAY READY (8-1) with Frankie Dettori. Three for the money.
KEENELAND PICK: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 9 (5:16 p.m. ET/2:16 p.m. PT) — G1 $600K DARLEY ALCIBIADES for 2YO fillies going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed tops off his feast of selections with #8 IMMERSIVE (2-1 morning line) for trainer Brad Cox and rider Manny Franco. Daughter of Nyquist moves up and stretches out following impressive score in G3 Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga. Deep end of the pool.
KEENELAND SELECTIONS: $20 to Win & $5 Exacta Boxes with 6,7. ($40)
TOTAL WAGERS: $160
SATURDAY AT KEENELAND: Two Grade 1 stakes, The First Lady and The Turf Mile headline a rich, challenging 11-race card. Post time is 1:00 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. Mr. Ed will return with his top selections.
