Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Picks:
MR. ED’s Keeneland Picks: Day 1 of the current Keeneland meet got off to an exciting start under blue skies and sunshine, with sharp trainer Brad Cox saddling three winners. NY-based rider Manny Franco was the lone jockey with two trips to the Winner’s Circle. The average Win ticket returned $13.70, bolstered by a $70 winner in Race 3, on a $2 bet.
TODAY AT KEENELAND: Five star-studded stakes (Races 6-10), stepping stones to the Breeders’ Cup in four weeks, highlight today’s classy 11-race card with total purses of more than $3.2 million. The Grade 1 Turf Mile (Race 10), features British import Kikkuli, More Than Looks and Irish-bred Carl Spackler. Post time for the first race is 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections.
Race 1 (1:00 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT) — $55K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 2YOs going six furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a pair: #4 ONE TRUE SHANCE (3-1 morning line) for sprint specialist Wesley Ward and ridden by Walter Rodriguez & first-time starter #9 J DAVID (5-2) for Tom Drury with apprentice jockey Irving Moncada.
KEENELAND PICK: $5 DAILY DOUBLES OF 4,9 with 1,3,9. ($30)
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 trio: #1 STATES’ RIGHTS (5-2 morning line) for trainer Cherie DeVaux; #3 AUTHENTIC GALLOP (9-2) for Tom Amoss, and #9 DREAM SCHEME (4-1) for Brendan Walsh. Lots to like.
KEENELAND PICK: Second leg of DAILY DOUBLES.
Race 6 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT) — G2 $350K WOODFORD STAKES for 3YOs & up going 5 ½ furlongs on turf
I believe millionaire #6 NOBALS (9-2 morning line) holds a class edge in this sprint. Ridden by Geraldo Corrales and trained by veteran Larry Rivelli, gelding should sit perfect trip.
KEENELAND PICK: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — G2 $350 THOROUGHBRED CLUB OF AMERICA for fillies and mares, 3YO & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #6 ZEITLOS (4-1 morning line) for HOF trainer Steve Asmussen and NY-based hot-shot, young jock Jose Ortiz. Winner of more than $800K and seven of 15 contests (including three of last four), daughter of super sire Curlin always in the mix vs. strong fields.
KEENELAND PICK: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 8 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT) — G1 $750K FIRST LADY STAKES for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going a mile on turf
My money is on classy #4 GINA ROMANTICA (3-1 morning line). Chad Brown trains; Jose Ortiz rides. Two for three over Keeneland grass. Isn’t she romantic?
KEENELAND BEST BET: $30 to Win. ($30)
Race 9 (5:16 p.m. ET/2:16 p.m. PT) — G1 $600K BREEDERS’ FUTURITY — for 2YOs going 1 1/16-mile
Toughest race on the card. Mr. Ed narrowed choices to three: #1 FEROCIOUS (8-5 morning line) looks for rail-riding trip by Luis Saez; #5 EAST AVENUE (3-1), easiest of winners in Ellis Park debut, and #10 DAPPER MOON (9-2) looks tough from the outside post. Several of next year’s Kentucky Derby contestants in deep field.
KEENELAND PICK: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 10 (5:48 p.m. ET/2:48 p.m. PT) — G1 $1.25 MILLION TURF MILE for 3YOs & up
Irish-bred #9 CARL SPACKLER (2-1 morning line) for Chad Brown and Tyler Gaffalione is Mr. Ed’s choice. He was on turf-miler for two scores at Saratoga, so let’s go for hat trick. A few other tough guys, #2 KIKKULI (4-1), #3 MORE THAN LOOKS (3-1) and #6 TALK OF THE NATION (8-1) warrant consideration.
KEENELAND PICK: $20 to Win and box in Exactas with 2,3,6. ($50)
TOTAL WAGERS: $180
ON TAP SUNDAY: Mr. Ed will be offering his selections on another outstanding 10-race card at Keeneland, with Race 9, the G1 $600K Juddmonte Spinster in the spotlight. First post is 1:00 p.m. ET/ 10 a.m. PT. Blue skies and sunshine predicted.
DALLAS -2.5
NFL: 2-2*
(*against spread)
