Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Picks for Saturday, April 19:
GOOD FRIDAY RESULTS: It was a very good day for gin-swilling hunch players as Gin Gin, conditioned by a top trainer (Brendan Walsh) and ridden by a top jockey (Jose Ortiz), scored a giant 38-1 upset, winning the featured G3 Doubledodgedare stakes. The win was Walsh’s second on the card. Sharp conditioner Wesley Ward also had a pair of winners. Hard-charging Luis Saez led all the riders with three trips to the Winner’s Circle. The average $2 ticket, aided by three double-digit payoffs, returned $18.90, the highest of the meet. Once again, for the second time this week, Mr. Ed’s picks laid an egg. He’s busy scrambling it for breakfast while searching for winners on Saturday.
SATURDAY AT KEENELAND: Saturday is Mr. Ed’s favorite horseplaying day of the week. Best races, best horses, best trainers, best jockeys … you get my drift. They all add up to as good as horse racing gets. With two highly competitive stakes supported by an additional nine-race undercard, who could ask for anything more? After today, with the Keeneland meet winding up and with Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby (two weeks from today on May 3) on the horizon, quality racing will cool down for a while. So, Mr. Ed will take full advantage of today’s action with $185 in plays. Here are my picks:
Mr. Ed’s Selections at Keeneland for Saturday, April 19
Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs going 7½ furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #6 HOMER’S ODYSSEY (9-2 morning line) for super-trainer Steve Asmussen, who hires young jockey Joseph Ramos to guide the expensive colt home first.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $50K STARTER ALLOWANCE for 4YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
My pick is #9 COPPERLITE (5-2 morning line) for Ramsey family trainer Nolan who attracts top jock Jose Ortiz to take mount. Colt goes for a hat trick following recent back-to-back wins at Tampa Bay Downs.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($20)
Race 4 (2:36 p.m. ET/11:36 a.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for 3YO fillies going 1 3/16-mile on the turf
I like three for the money: #4 GOLDEN SUNSHINE (4-1 morning line), goes back on Lasix for Eoin Harty barn, Dettori to ride; #6 GOOD TEMPER (3-1) for sharp young trainer William Walden, Rosario rides, and #7 FIXIN TO BEE (8-5) for Rusty Arnold and Johnny V.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT) — $58K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6 ½ furlongs
Mr. Ed’s pick is favorite #7 TOP GUN ROCKET (9-5 morning line) set to fire for Riley Mott and Junior Alvarado. Needs to regain Churchill Downs form. To the moon, Alice, to the moon.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 6 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT) — $88K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 6 ½ furlongs
Mr. Ed’s PRICE PLAY OF THE DAY is #6 GILCREASE (8-1) for favorite trainer Al Stall Jr., who sends 5YO out after a brief break. Solid works say he’s more than ready for return. Laparoux climbs back aboard.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)
Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — $140K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up going 5 ½ furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed’s betting on #3 CLOUDWALKER (6-1 morning line). Winner of two over Keeneland turf, filly returns for excellent Walsh barn. Big rider upgrade to Jose Ortiz who has the gal walking on air in the stretch.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Races 9-11 (5:26 p.m. ET/2:26 p.m. PT) — $1 PICK 3
R9: 2,6
R10: 1,4,6,7,8
R11: 7,14,15 ($30)
Race 10 (5:48 p.m. ET/2:48 p.m. PT) — $350K BEN ALI STAKES for 4YOs & up going 1 3/16-mile
This is one tough stake. Mr. Ed gives five a shot, but settles on #7 UNO MAS BOURBON (7-2 morning line) on top for hot Ian Wilkes barn. Seasoned gelding picks up excellent KY-circuit rider Brian Hernandez. I’ll spread my bet.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exacta Boxes, 7/1,4,6,8. ($40)
TOTAL WAGERS: $185
SUNDAY AT KEENELAND: Track closed for Easter holiday. Racing resumes on Wednesday, April 23.
