Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Picks for Sunday, April 13:
TRACKING MR. ED: Short-priced winners ruled the day at Keeneland as the average $2 Win ticket, inflated by a $40 score, returned $12.20. Leading rider Luis Saez, on his second day back from an injury, led the talented jockey colony with three wins. Eleven different trainers each won a single contest. Mr. Ed, off to a disappointing start at the meet, posted a pair of winners for the second consecutive day. Now, let’s take a look at his picks for Sunday.
Mr. Ed’s Selections at Keeneland for Sunday, April 13
Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) — $48K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes three for the money: #2 LEAN MUSIC MACHINE (8-5 morning line) ships up from Gulfstream where he was a consistent sort vs. tougher, Saez rides; #7 AERATE (10-1), Lanerie rides again for Rusty Arnold, #11 STORMPROOF (7-2), second start for sharp Wesley Ward.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mile on turf
I like the probable post-time favorite #9 DUBLIN’S KNIGHT (9-5 morning line) gets a big rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz Jr. for sharp trainer Brendan Walsh (9-3-2-0) can handle added distance and second turn. Good knight.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 4 (2:36 p.m. ET/11:36 a.m. PT) — $150K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 4YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY is #2 TOP GUNNER (4-5 morning line) for powerful coupling of Brad Cox and Flavien Prat, entered for the bargain basement claiming price of $175K. Son of Into Mischief earnings headed for million-dollar mark. Class drop, early speed keys to victory.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $30 to Win. ($30)
Race 6 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT) — $110 MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mile on turf
I like three: #2 THIRTEEN COLONIES (4-1 morning line) for small-time trainer Phil Antonacci who attracts big-time rider, Irad Oritiz Jr.; #8 ANEW (9-2) first time for conditioner Bill Walden with Johnny V., and #10 EXECUTIVE (3-1) with top-notch team of Mott and Prat. Three for the money.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Races 7-9 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — $1 PICK 3
R7: 1,4,10
R8: 4,6,7,10
R9: 2,10 ($24)
Race 8 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT) — G3 $350K GIANT’S CAUSEWAY STAKES for 3YO fillies and mares going 5 ½ furlongs on turf
Mr. Ed likes #6 DANCE MACABRE (8-1 morning line) for superior horseman Christophe Clement and new rider Joel Rosario. Very consistent gal. I’ll pair her with #4 FUTURE IS NOW (9-5) with out-of-town jockey Paco Lopez, #7 PANDORA’S GIFT (6-1), also for Clement with Irad Ortiz Jr. in irons, and #10 JUST A CARE (9-2) with HOFer Johnny V. for Brian Lynch.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box, 6/4,7,10. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $164
NO RACE TRACK FOR OLD MAN: After researching, writing about and picking horses “eight days this week,” ageless Mr. Ed needs a few days off to rest and recuperate. He might not be so tired had he offered up more winners for VSiN followers. Now that the first extra-long week of the Spring meet at Keeneland is behind us, he will have a chance to review the thus far less-than-satisfactory results. Mr. Ed is confident that better days lie ahead. And what does an old horseplayer do with time away from the races? He begins studying for the NFL draft, continues to follow pro golf, listens to VSiN, watches Bosch and spends time with Mrs. Ed and two cats, Texas Pete and Jade. Rest assured, Mr. Ed will return on Wednesday.
