Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Picks:
TRACKING MR. ED: As I grow older, I start every day with a plan to grow wiser, learning from the errors of my ways and striving to correct them. After Saturday’s card at Keeneland, I have a feeling that young jockey Luan Machado and aging Mr. Ed share this trait. Machado is the rider who stood up mid-stretch earlier in the week, mistakenly thinking he had crossed the finish line. How do you think race fans reacted to this unforgivable sin? Some online actually wanted him suspended from riding. As a public handicapper, believe me I know how it feels when I have an 0-for day. I go back to work and post my picks the next day (see below). Instead of listening to the naysayers, Machado got back on all his scheduled mounts. The result: He had a pair of winners yesterday. Others had good days, too. Tyler Gaffalione increased his lead in the jockey standings with three winners. Irad Ortiz Jr. had two scores. As for this afternoon, Keeneland’s nine-race card begins at 1:00 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. And, here are older but wiser Mr. Ed’s Keeneland picks.
Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Picks for Sunday (10/20)
Race 1 (1:00 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT) — $55K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 2YO fillies and mares going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed is shooting for a Daily Double with #7 NO PARDON (5-2 morning line) winning combo of Rodolphe Brisset and Tyler Gaffalione, and #8 CURLS NITE OUT (8-1) for Midwest-based trainer Chris Block and up-and-coming rider Jareth Loveberry.
KEENELAND PICK: 7&8.
Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) — $48K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6 ½ furlongs
To complete the Daily Double, Mr. Ed likes one of three: #1 SCOTTISH STORM (5-1 morning line) for Wesley Ward; #4 AIR IT OUT (9-2) for the Asmussen father-son team, and #8 D DAY (4-1) for Rob Atras.
KEENELAND PICK: $5; DAILY DOUBLE of 7,8 & 1,4,8. ($30)
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 5 ½ furlongs on turf
Mr. Ed likes #8 CHEETAH LADY (4-1 morning line) for up-and-coming trainer Whit Beckman, who hires Jose Ortiz to ride. In lone start at 6-1, she got bumped in the stretch before finishing second. Speed cat.
KEENELAND PICK: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:36 p.m. ET/11:36 a.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 6 ½ furlongs
The #4 MIGHTY MADISON (6-5 morning line) towers above the field for trainer Phil Bauer with top jock Irad Ortiz Jr. named to ride. The expensive daughter of Nyquist returns after a brief break and turns back. Mighty good favorite.
KEENELAND PICK: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 6 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going a mile on turf
Mr. Ed likes three for the money: #4 HAY STACK (9-2 morning line) for Whit Beckman with top rider Irad Ortiz on board; #5 JUST THE SKY (8-1) for improving barn of Cherie DeVaux with Johnny Velazquez riding, and #8 BIG TROUBLE (6-1) with Frankie Dettori.
KEENELAND PICK: $5 Exacta Box of 4,5,8. ($30)
Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — $130K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 1 ⅛-mile
I’m betting on #11 RAISE CAIN (5-1 morning line) to get his third win at Keeneland as he stretches out from sprint for Ben Colebrook, who scores a big rider upgrade to Jose Ortiz. Cain mutiny.
KEENELAND PICK: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 8 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT) — G3 ROOD & RIDDLE $300K for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 1 ½-miles on turf
Mr. Ed likes three to capture the first leg of the late Daily Double: #6 SURPRISINGLY (6-1 morning line), with Irad Ortiz Jr. for Todd Pletcher; millionaire #7 CHOP CHOP (5-1) for Brad Cox and Luan Machado, & Irish import #9 ETERNAL HOPE (4-1) for Charlie Appleby & Frankie Dettori.
Race 9 (5:16 p.m. ET/2:16 p.m. PT) — $53K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 2YOs going six furlongs
I like a pair, #3 SELL IT (9-2 morning line) for trainer John Ennis with Edgar Morales & #4 ALL THE LUCK (3-1) for powerful team of Saffie Joseph Jr. and Tyler Gaffalione. Mr. Ed is buying all the luck he can get.
KEENELAND PICK: $5 DAILY DOUBLE OF 6,7,9 & 3,4. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $130
Mr. Ed will return on Wednesday with his Keeneland picks.
