Kentucky Downs Picks for Sunday, August 31:
TRACKING MR. ED: Today’s 11-race card at Kentucky Downs features three high-priced stakes and a handicap, all contested on an all-turf race course chiseled from the rolling hills of western Kentucky. Sunday’s forecast is for partly cloudy skies and a high in the low 80s. First race post is at 1:25 p.m. ET/10:25 a.m. PT. Here are Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections.
Mr. Ed’s Kentucky Downs Picks for Sunday (8/31)
Race 1 (1:25 p.m./10:25 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going a mile
Mr. Ed opens the day with DD play. He likes #1 IMMINENT RISK (3-1 morning line) for the hot Joe Sharp barn with top rider Jose Ortiz aboard. Expecting a big improvement from this debut. Also, taking a shot with #7 CORBET’S CRUSH (9-2) for young Riley Mott. Florent Geroux accepts the mount.
KENTUCKY DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Daily Double 1,7/4,5. ($20)
Race 2 (1:58 p.m. ET/10:58 a.m. PT) — $170K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs going 1½-miles
Mr. Ed is playing a pair: #4 THE JACKAL (6-1 morning line) for trainer Jack Fisher with Forest Boyce riding; #5 ORATOR (7-2) adds blinkers for trainer Shug McGaughey, who gets top jockey Jose Ortiz to ride.
Race 3 (2:31 p.m. ET/11:31 a.m. PT) — $200K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile
Mr. Ed will take a shot with #11 DEGREE OF RISK (6-1 morning line) for trainer Nolan Ramsey, who gives a leg up to popular Tyler Gaffalione. Jockey has had success with the gelding in the past.
KENTUCKY DOWNS SELECTION: $10 Win & Place. ($20)
Race 5 (3:39 p.m. ET/12:39 p.m. PT) — $190K ALLOWANCE for 3 YOs & up going 1 5/16-mile
I’ll take a chance on #10 WARLANDER (10-1 morning line) for trainer Steve Asmussen, who adds blinkers and top jock Jose Ortiz. The youngster should benefit from added distance.
KENTUCKY DOWNS SELECTION: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)
Race 6 (4:13 p.m. ET/1:13 p.m. PT) — $170K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going a mile
Mr. Ed always likes to have #4 LEVERAGE (6-1 morning line) when he can get it! The powerful team of Graham Motion training and Jose Ortiz riding. I look for a big improvement from the debut.
KENTUCKY DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 7 (4:48 p.m. ET/1:48 p.m. PT) — $210K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs going 6½ furlongs
Mr. Ed’s betting on a trio: #5 THAT’S RIGHT (8-1 morning line) with young rider Ben Curtis on board for Joe Sharp; #8 RUN CURTIS RUN (7-2) with Tyler Gaffalione in irons; and #11 LET MY PEOPLE GO (9-2) for Joe Sharp training, Jose Ortiz in the saddle.
KENTUCKY DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
KENTUCKY DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 8-11 (5:23 p.m. ET/2:32 p.m. PT) — $.50 Pick 4*
R8: 2,5,6,7,9,10,11
R9: 2,8
R10: 7,9
R11: 6,9 ($28) PLAY OF THE DAY
* In the event of a scratch, the post-time favorite is the substitute pick.
Race 9 (5:47 p.m. ET/2:47 p.m. PT) — $1,000,000 JUVENILE SPRINT STAKES for 2YOs going 6½ furlongs
Mr. Ed bets #8 OBLITERATION (7-2 morning line) will repeat his huge winning effort in the Sanford Stakes. Tip-top connections: Asmussen trains and Jose Ortiz rides. He’s Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY.
KENTUCKY DOWNS SELECTION: $40 to Win. ($40)
Race 11 (7:05 p.m. ET/4:05 p.m. PT) — $1,000,000 JUVENILE FILLIES STAKES for 2YO fillies going a mile
My pick is #6 MERINGUE (3-1 morning line) for trainer Rudy Brisset. Jockey Luan Machado reunites with the coed. If she can handle stretchout, she’s a winner.
KENTUCKY DOWNS SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $193
