Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Picks:
TRACKING MR. ED: With only four days remaining in the Keeneland fall meet, the leading rider is Tyler Gaffalione (20 wins), followed by Luis Saez (15) and Jose Ortiz (13). Brad Cox tops the trainer standings with 11 victories, followed by Rudy Brissett (9) and Brendan Walsh (7). And Mr. Ed’s new favorite jockey, Luan Machado (5), who placed after misjudging the finish line last Wednesday, has booted home four winners. For his error in judgment, stewards fined Machado $2,500 and suspended him for three days (to be served after the Keeneland meet). I hope he wins many more. In other Keeneland news, the track begins the final week of the autumn meet with a Pick 5 carryover of $301,896, which runs from Race 4 through Race 8. I expect the final pot to exceed $1 million. First race post time today is 1:00 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s selections, including his special Pick 5.
Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Picks for Wednesday (10/23)
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $63K STARTER ALLOWANCE for 3YOs and up going 1 3/16-mile
Mr. Ed likes three: #1 GILDED CRACKEN (5-2 morning line) for sharp Joe Sharp barn with top rider Tyler Gaffalione returning to the saddle; #6 CURLIN’S GESTURE (7-2) with my man Luan Machado for trainer Marianne Scherer and #9 MINISTERIAL (5-1) for wizard Wesley Ward and Hall of Famer Johnny Velazquez.
KEENELAND PICK: $5 Exacta Box 1,6,9. ($30)
Race 4 (2:36 p.m. ET/11:36 a.m. PT) — $69K CLAIMING for 3YOs and up going 1 1/16-mile
I’m betting #5 STRAVA (4-1 morning line) has enough back class to kick off the Pick 5 carryover ticket. I also like #4 SHOW TIME (5-1) to be in the Leg 1 mix.
KEENELAND WIN PICK: $10 to Win on #5. ($10)
MR. ED’S SPECIAL $0.50 PICK 5
R4: 4, 5
R5: 6, 10
R6: 5, 6, 11
R7: 1, 6, 7
R8: 4, 10 ($36)
Race 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares 3YOs and up going 1 1/16-mile on turf
Mr. Ed likes #10 BIRDWATCHING (6-5 morning line) for trainer Arnaud Delacour with James Graham riding. Choice looks to break her maiden after a pair of narrow losses in the previous two. Fly birdie, fly!
KEENELAND PICK: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 6 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YO fillies going 1 ⅛-mile
I’m betting on three for the money: #5 INTRICATE (3-1 morning line) for the hot trainer-jockey combo of Walsh and Gaffalione; #6 LANDED (7-2) for Ward and Velazquez; and #11 MUSICAL NOTE (8-1) for Cox and Prat.
KEENELAND PICK: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — $140K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs and up going 5 ½ furlongs on turf
Mr. Ed likes #1 ARREST ME RED (7-2 morning line) for trainer Wesley Ward and legendary jockey Frankie Dettori. Millionaire son of Pioneerof the Nile shortens in bid for sixth win of the year. Right on red.
KEENELAND BEST BET: $20 to Win. ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $156
BREEDERS’ CUP COUNTDOWN: Fourteen races at Del Mar, five on Friday, Nov. 1, and nine on Saturday, Nov. 2. I’m already studying Past Performance charts.
