Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Picks:
TODAY AT KEENELAND: At first glance, Wednesday’s eight-race card appears extremely tough to handicap. At second glance, it doesn’t get any easier. Lacking even a low-class stakes, the program consists solely of allowance, claiming and maiden contests. After the first long weekend of racing, Tyler Gaffalione leads the first-class jockey colony with five trips to the Winner’s Circle, followed by Luis Saez and Jose Ortiz with three apiece. Brad Cox leads the trainer standings with four wins, followed by Cherie DeVaux with three and several others with two. Weather forecast: Sunny and warm. Track conditions: Fast and firm. First race post time is 1:00 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s selections.
Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Picks for Wednesday, October 9
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $60K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #5 NORMANDY HERO (9-2 morning line), trained by Ruby Brisset and ridden by super sharp Flavien Prat. Making his second start back from break, the colt has a win and place over track. I like Ike.
KEENELAND PICK: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 4 (2:36 p.m. ET/11:26 a.m. PT) — $51K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6½ furlongs
Super-consistent #1 STAGE LEFT (2-1 morning line) should get a perfect rail-riding trip as Ramon Vasquez returns in the saddle for David Jacobson. Class drop helps, too.
KEENELAND PICK: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT) — MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 1⅛ miles on turf
If #15 WEIGHTED AVERAGE (7-2 morning line) draws into the race, she should fare well vs. a large field. Well-traveled, expensive 3YO trained by Chad Brown, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.
KEENELAND PICK: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:22 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YO fillies and mares going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #6 MISS ENCHANTED (8-5 morning line). Sprinter cuts back following sharp win at Saratoga. Filly, trained by Dale Romans, picks up services of popular Kentucky-based rider Corrie Lanerie. She’s a charmer.
KEENELAND BEST BET: $20 to Win & $10 Daily Doubles with 1,12. ($40)
Race 8 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE for 3 YOs & up going 1 1/16 miles on turf.
To complete DD, I like #1 GREEN LIGHT (5-2 morning line) for Rudy Brisset and Jose Ortiz and #12 BLACK RAIN (8-1) for Todd Pletcher and Irad Ortiz Jr.
TOTAL WAGERS: $100
A LOOK AHEAD: Saving its big, final Breeders’ Cup preps for Friday-Sunday, Keeneland’s 11-race Thursday card is lackluster at best. Perhaps the track is merely holding its horses in anticipation of Mr. Ed’s semi-annual visit to the bluegrass. The weather forecast is warm and sunny with a fast track and a firm turf course. First race post time is 1 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT.
STER for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 1 â…›-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.
