Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Picks:
MR. ED’S KEENELAND PICKS: Fall Stars Saturday served up a plateful of chalk for Mr. Ed and many winning race fans on-site at Keeneland, at OTBs, in racebooks and online. The average $2 Win ticket returned a fan-friendly $7.72. Jockeys Jose Ortiz and Luis Saez had three winners each, while trainers Cherie DeVaux and Chad Brown each had a pair.
TODAY AT KEENELAND: Today’s race menu is either feast or famine for hardcore players. Consisting of five maiden contests, two allowances, and three tepid stakes, even the most skilled handicapper will be hard-pressed to identify a profitable game plan. Mr. Ed welcomes the challenge. First race post time is 1:00 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. The premiere event is the G1 $600K Juddmonte Spinster (Race 9), featuring trainer Brad Cox’s superstar mare Idiomatic (3-5 morning line). Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s selections.
Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Picks for Sunday, October 6
Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) — $55K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 2YO fillies going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #10 WHEREVER WE ARE (4-1 morning line) for trainer Wesley Ward, who excels at developing speedy youngsters, including the winner of Saturday’s first race. HOF jockey Johnny Velazquez recruited to ride.
KEENELAND PICK: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT) — $130K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs going 5 ½ furlongs on the turf
I accepted a bad beat on #2 RUN CARSON (4-1 morning line) in Mahoney Stakes at Saratoga in August. I’m willing to give sophomore a chance for redemption. Trained by mid-Atlantic veteran Kelsey Danner, up-and-comer Adam Beschizza was recalled to ride. Pick has never finished out of the money (5-5) and I see no reason why he should today. Win Carson.
KEENELAND PICK: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 6 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT) — $50K STARTER ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going 6 ½ furlongs
I like #7 LLOYD (6-1 morning line) a lot for Monmouth-based trainer Panagiotis Synnefias, whose starters are winning at a 25% rate. Reliable Tyler Gaffalione a big rider upgrade. Lloyd looks live.
KEENELAND PICK: $5 Win & Place. ($10)
Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed betting on #8 TUSCALOOSA (4-1 morning line) to score first time out for trainer Rodolphe Brisset. Tyler Gaffalione rides the expensive son of Candy Ride.
KEENELAND PICK: $5 To Win & Place. ($10)
Races 8-10 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT) — MULTI-RACE WAGER
R8: 2,5,6
R9: 1
R10: 2,4,9,10
KEENELAND PICK: $2 Pick 3. ($24)
Race 9 (5:16 p.m. ET/2:16 p.m. PT) — G1 $600K JUDDMONTE SPINSTER for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 1 ⅛-mile
Mr. Ed’s BEST BETS OF THE DAY is lightning speedy #1 IDIOMATIC (3-5 morning line). Mare towers over field and threatens to go gate-to-wire for top trainer Brad Cox. Regular rider Florent Geroux in irons.
KEENELAND PICKS: $40 to Win & $10 DAILY DOUBLES OF 2,4,9,10. ($40)
TOTAL WAGERS: $144
A LOOK AHEAD: After taking a few days off to clean the cat litter boxes, discard 10 days worth of DRF charts and betting on Sunday and Monday Night Football, Mr. Ed will be back ‘capping Keeneland’s Day 4 of 17 on Wednesday. The eight-race card consists of low-level allowances and maiden contests. On Thursday, I’ll take my semi-annual trip across the mountains to the bluegrass country to report live from Keeneland for a few days.
