Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Picks for Thursday, April 17:
TRACKING MR. ED: Chalk ruled the day on Wednesday as the average $2 win ticket returned a grinder’s dream $7.72. Unfortunately, our in-house grinder (Mr. Ed) yinged when he should have yanged, resulting in a shutout at the windows. Irad Ortiz Jr. led all riders with three wins. He’s listed to ride five horses today. Wesley Ward had three wins. He has only one mount today. For a mid-week racing program, today’s is excellent. Handicapping the nine races was fun, yet a challenging pleasure. I would not be surprised to see several of the horses entered to reappear on the Kentucky Derby undercard at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 3. Cloudy & cool is the forecast today at Keeneland. The first of nine races goes to post at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. Pay no attention to Mr. Ed’s picks being shut out on Wednesday; here are his selections for today.
Mr. Ed’s Selections at Keeneland for Thursday, April 17
Race 1 (1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT) — $30K STARTER ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
Mr. Ed has an early Daily Double. In the first leg, he likes #3 FIRST OF HIS NAME (3-1 morning line), trained by low-profile William Cowans and ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., gelding wired the field in last at Turfway Park. Tougher test today. Mr. Ed also likes #4 COPPER MISSILE (7-2), trained by newcomer Matthew Sims, will be ridden by young Luan Machado. Look for him in deep stretch.
Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YO fillies going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
To complete the Double I like #4 DOUBLE JEOPARDY (5-2 morning line) with the team of HOF trainer Todd Pletcher and leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr. Gal making second start after impressive debut at Gulfstream Park. I also like #8 RATHER DISTINCT (5-1) for hot trainer Eddie Kenneally, with rider upgrade to Luis Saez. The daughter of Triple Crown winner Justify should be flying in the lane.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 3,4/4,8. ($20)
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $50K CLAIMING for fillies, 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s choice is #9 MILA JUNES (7-2 morning line) for trainer Thomas Van Berg, who gets top jock Flavien Prat to ride daughter of Tapiture. Class drop, rider upgrade, turnback in distance add up to victory.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Races 5-7 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m.) — $1 PICK 3
R5: 4,5,8,9
R6: 3,4,5
R7: 3,8 ($24)
Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — $130K ALLOWANCE for 4YOs going 1 1/2-mile on the turf
I like #3 TUCSON (5-2 morning line) with HOF trainer Todd Pletcher and Irad Ortiz Jr. teaming up again in the grass marathon. Seeking his third consecutive win, the son of Constitution appears to have a bright future. Excellent recent works. Visit Tucson (in the Winner’s Circle). My BEST BET OF THE DAY.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $20 to Win & Place. ($40)
Race 8 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for 3YO fillies going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes three for the money: #1 MILA ROSE (9-5 morning line) for HOF trainer Steve Asmussen, who gives little-known jockey Joseph Ramos a chance to repeat last month’s winning performance at Turfway Park; #5 CAVATELLI (6-1) with huge rider upgrade to Joel Rosario after winning effort on turf in debut, and #7 CARLISLE BAY (8-1), expensive filly for Greg Foley with Jose Ortiz. Previously raced in Canada.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 9 (5:16 p.m. ET/2:16 p.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YO fillies going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
No reason why #9 LOVE YOU ANYWAY (3-1 morning line) can’t win Race 9. Pricy daughter of Tapit drops back in class after a mid-pack finish in the Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs last month. Rusty Arnold trains with Luis Saez back in the saddle. Win or lose, Mr. Ed will love the pick anyway.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
TOTAL WAGERS: $134
FRIDAY AT KEENELAND: — The G3 $350K DOUBLEDOGDARE STAKES for fillies and mares 4YOs & Up headlines the 10-race card. Warm, unsettled weather is in the forecast. Mr. Ed is already studying the program’s past performance charts and will post his picks exclusively here on VSiN.
