Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs Picks for Saturday, April 26:
KEENELAND WRAP-UP: Opening Day was cancelled due to a monsoon. Much of Closing Day was run in heavy rain. Significant meet events included Flavien Prat winning the riding title with 20 wins and Brandon Walsh leading all trainers with 10 trips to the Winner’s Circle. As for the final day, Prat won a pair of races and Chad Brown led trainers with three victories. The average $2 Win ticket returned $9. Mr. Ed posted a winning exacta for the second consecutive day. On to Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby.
WELCOME TO CHURCHILL DOWNS: With the Kentucky Derby a week away, the historic Louisville, KY, track kicks off its annual Spring Meet with a challenging, evening 10-race card. Featured is Race 9, the $200K Roxelana Stakes for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up. Eight females will compete with #2 SANDY BOTTOM, the morning line favorite at 5-2. The traditional evening card kicks off at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m.PT. Here are Mr. Ed’s exclusive picks for VSiN.
Mr. Ed’s Selections at Churchill Downs for Saturday, 04/26
Race 1 (5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT) — $45K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes either of these: #7 SYNTHESIS (7-2 morning line) veteran sprinter picks up Irad Ortiz Jr. to ride for the David Jacobson barn; #8 HOODLUM (3-1) for Al Stall Jr. with Luis Saez aboard. Has Win and Place over track.
CHURCHILL SELECTIONS: $5 Daily Double of 7,8/5,7 ($20)
Race 2 (5:28 p.m. ET/2:28 p.m. PT) — $141K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going a mile on turf
I like two to complete the Double: #5 MISSION OF JOY (9-5 morning line) for the formidable team of Graham Motion and Irad Ortiz Jr., classy; and #7 NO MO CANDY (2-1) with Frankie Dettori riding for Saffie Joseph Jr., has won three of four.
Race 4 (6:26 p.m. ET/3:26 p.m. PT) — $127K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes three: #3 SAM’S TREASURE (3-1 morning line) for the proven team of Wesley Ward and Joel Rosario; #6 SUNDANCE FEATURE (2-1), Luis Saez retains mount, and #7 LORD I WONDER (6-1) for superior Kentucky trainer Al Stall Jr.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 5 (6:57 p.m. ET/3:57 p.m. PT) — $58K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile
My choice is favorite #4 CAROLO RAPIDO (5-2 morning line) for Michael Maker and up-and-coming rider Luan Machado. Big class drop key to victory.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 6 (8:04 p.m. ET/5:04 p.m. PT) — $67K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6½ furlongs
Mr. Ed’s LONGSHOT OF THE DAY: Al Stall Jr. sends out #9 DAIQUIRI SOMMELIER (10-1 morning line), switches rider to youngster Luan Machado and drops to claiming price. Trip to Winner’s Circle? Daiquiris on Mr. Ed!
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)
Race 8 (9:09 p.m. ET/6:09 p.m. PT) — $76K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
I like #4 BREAD TO RUN (9-2 morning line), moving from dirt to turf and stretching out for trainer Rudy Brisset with rider switch to Luis Saez. No loafing.
CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Races 8-10 (9:09 p.m. ET/6:09 p.m. PT) — $1 PICK 3
R8: 1,4,8,9
R9: 2,5,7
R10: 3,8,10 ($36)
TOTAL WAGERS: $131
MR. ED’S DERBY HALF DOZEN:
(in no particular order)
With a week to go till the Run for the Roses, Mr. Ed, after hours of research, has narrowed his top selections down to six excellent 3YOs. In his humble opinion, Mr. Ed believes there are no more than a half-dozen quality entrants with a legitimate chance of winning the mile-and-a-quarter contest. Connections of the remaining 14 thoroughbreds can afford an exclusive suite on Millionaire’s Row for themselves and a dozen friends, guests, family and business associates. Mint juleps will flow freely as lobster, shrimp and crab cakes are consumed by the dozen. Mr. Ed has been there, once a lifetime ago. Trust me, unless someone else is footing the hefty bill ($1K & up per person), stay home and watch the race on a 90” TV screen with friends, a bottle of Buffalo Trace, bar mix and sprigs of fresh mint. Enough said — it’s time to thin the herd. Here is my short list of probable Kentucky Derby winners (subject to change):
CITIZEN BULL — Baffert’s best, but suspect West Coast figures.
EAST AVENUE — from hot Walsh barn; beaten by nose in Blue Grass
PUBLISHER — a rare maiden from Asmussen; thoroughly tested
BURNHAM SQUARE — I’ve been on him, off him; running style fits
JOURNALISM — Mr. Ed earned his diploma the hard knocks way
TAPPAN STREET — lightly raced by Cox; can only get better
