Kentucky Downs Picks for Thursday, August 28:
TRACKING MR. ED: You’re looking live inside the mind of VSiN veteran horseplayer and recovering journalist Ed Sehon as he attempts a feat few touts have ever attempted before — publicly handicapping two race cards on the same weekday. His exclusive Saratoga picks are already posted on the VSiN site. Now it’s time for his key selections for Kentucky Downs (KD). For those unfamiliar with the aforementioned track, it’s located approximately 20 miles east of Nashville, TN, and each year it hosts the most lucrative race meet in North America. Consisting of seven racing day programs spread over a two-week period, the track offers a total purse of more than $40 million. While the money primarily attracts top Kentucky-based owners, trainers and jockeys, those from Florida and New York also love to compete over the rolling all-turf, countryside course. Words cannot describe its uniqueness. Before making a bet on a Kentucky Downs race, I encourage players to watch a race or two to better understand the course’s beauty and undulating difficulty. It’s truly like no other race course.
THURSDAY AT KENTUCKY DOWNS (KD): Opening day consists of an 11-race all-turf card with full fields and races varying in length from 6½ furlongs to 1½ miles. Total purse money: $7.8 million. Among those first-class jockeys participating are Jose Ortiz, Tyler Gaffalione, Joel Rosario, Frankie Dettori and Luis Saez. Trainers on site include Bill Mott, Mark Casse, Miguel Clement, Steve Asmussen, Brad Cox and Chad Brown. Today’s featured stakes is Race 11 – $500K Keeneland Sales Tapit for 3YOs going 1 Mile, 70 yards. Cloudy skies with a high near 80 are expected. Post time for the first race is 1:25 p.m. ET/10:25 a.m. PT. Here are Mr. Ed’s picks for Thursday.
Mr. Ed’s Kentucky Downs Picks for Thursday (8/28)
Race 2 (1:58 p.m. ET/10:58 a.m. PT) — $170K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 6½ furlongs over the turf
Mr. Ed likes #13 SHOULD’VE (7-2) for excellent trainer of youngsters, Wesley Ward, with Joel Rosario in irons. Hoping coed draws into over-booked field.
KENTUCKY DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 3 (2:31 p.m. ET/11:31 a.m. PT) — $200K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1½ miles over the turf
I like three: #1 HOLY FOLEY (9-5 morning line) for trainer Brian Lynch with recently returned Tyler Gaffalione. Last three races impressive; #5 YOUKNOWNOTHING (5-2) with Joel Rosario for Miguel Clement, and #7 STELLIFY (7-2) for Brad Cox with Florent Geroux returning to ride.
KENTUCKY DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 4 (3:05 p.m. ET/ 12:05 p.m. PT) — $210K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 6½ furlongs on the grass
Mr. Ed likes #6 CROWN IMPERIAL (5-1 morning line) with Tyler Gaffalione for hot trainer John Ortiz. Coed has win over quirky surface, gets class relief.
KENTUCKY DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 5 (3:29 p.m. ET/12:29 p.m. PT) — $200K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING going a 1 5/16 mile over the turf
I’m betting on #5 UNREASONABLE (6-5 morning line) with Joel Rosario for Miguel Clement stretching out after impressive win at Saratoga. Reasonable to expect repeat effort.
KENTUCKY DOWNS SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Races 8-11 (5:23 p.m. ET/2:23 p.m. PT) — $.50 Pick 4*
R8: 2,5,6,7
R9: 6,7,10
R10: 5,7,14
R11: 7,9 ($36)
* In the event of a scratch, the post-time favorite is the substitute pick.
Race 10 (6:31 p.m. ET/3:31 p.m. PT) — $500K KENTUCKY SALES TAPIT STAKES for 3YOs & up going a mile and 70 yards on the turf
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #5 MOUNTAIN BEAR (5-1 morning line) with Victor Espinoza returning to ride for trainer Wesley Ward; #7 CAMEO PERFORMANCE (9-2), first-time gelding adds blinkers, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione for excellent trainer Brendan Walsh, and #14 LAGYNOS (8-1) with top rider Jose Ortiz for Steve Asmussen. Any two of three for the money.
KENTUCKY DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $136
NEXT UP AT KENTUCKY DOWNS: Racing resumes at Kentucky Downs on Saturday with an all-turf,11-race card offering more than $10 million in total purses. The main event is the $3.5 million G3 NASHVILLE DERBY INVITATIONAL. Look for Mr. Ed’s exclusive selections here on VSiN.
