Kentucky Downs Picks for Wednesday, September 10:
HORSING AROUND: The seventh and final day of the Kentucky Downs meet finds tight races for both leading trainer and leading rider. It appears the conditioner race comes down to Brad Cox (six wins), and Michael Maker and Wesley Ward, each with five trips to the Winner’s Circle. As for jockeys, Frankie Dettori (eight) holds a single win lead over the Bros. Ortiz — Jose and Irad — with seven apiece. Wednesday’s first of 11 races goes to post at 1:25 p.m. ET/9:25 a.m. PT. The day’s feature race is the $200K G3 Blackwood Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational for 3YO fillies. Sunny skies with a high in the mid-80s are expected. Here are Mr. Ed’s picks.
Mr. Ed’s Kentucky Downs Picks for Wednesday (9/10)
Race 1 (1:25 p.m. ET/10:25 a.m. PT) — $170K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for KY-bred 2YOs going 6½ furlongs
To kick-start a DD, Mr. Ed likes a pair of outsiders: #11 TROPICAL NIGHT (12-1 morning line) for high-percentage trainer Rudy Brisset with skillful rider Tyler Gaffalione, and #12 AMAZING AMANDA (9-2), trained by Mark Casse, ridden by top-jock Irad Ortiz, Jr.
KENTUCKY DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Daily Double 1,12/4,5. ($20)
Race 2 (1:58 p.m. ET/10:58 a.m. PT) — $80K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for KY-bred 2YOs going 6½ furlongs
Mr. Ed’s choices to complete the early DD are #4 BLINGING IT BACK (5-1 morning line), a chance of a double dose of Mark Casse, with rider Flavien Prat, and #5 THE STANDARD (4-1), a scratched pick from the weekend, for Steve Assmusen and the other brother Ortiz, Jose.
Race 3 (2:31 p.m. ET/11:31 a.m. PT) — $220K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 6½ furlongs
I like a trio: #4 IN OUR TIME (9-5 morning line) for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., who retains Tyler Gaffalione for cutback; #5 OEUVRE (9-2), for Chris Block, who rehires Jareth Loveberry to ride, and #8 TIME TO DAZZLE (5-2) for Mark Casse and Jose Ortiz. Time enough for Mr. Ed to win.
KENTUCKY DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 4 (3:05 p.m. ET/12:05 p.m. PT) — $190K ALLOWANCE for KY-bred 3YOs & up going 6½ furlongs
Mr. Ed’s LONGSHOT PLAY OF DAY: #4 VESTURE (12-1 morning line). This one’s the one for friends who still believe in Mr. Ed. Extra-sharp trainer (Bret Calhoun), world-class rider (Irad Ortiz, Jr.), turning back to sprint.
KENTUCKY DOWNS SELECTION: $10 Win, Place & Show. ($30)
Race 6 (4:13 p.m. ET/1:13 p.m. PT) — $190K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going 6½ furlongs
My money is on up-and-coming Midwest jockey Adam Beschizza, repeat rider following Indiana win for trainer Brian Lynch and #9 DID IT DIALED (6-1 morning line). Gelding tries turf for the second time. Mr. Ed’s dialed in to win.
KENTUCKY DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (4:38 p.m. ET/1:38 p.m. PT) — $170K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for KY-bred 2YOs going a mile
Mr. Ed likes #4 FULLEFFORT (5-2 morning line) for superior trainer Brad Cox, who makes a huge rider move, going to Flavien Prat. Colt posted a pair of close-up finishes at Ellis Park. I expect nothing less than maximum effort.
KENTUCKY DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 8-11 (5:23 p.m. ET/2:23 p.m. PT) — $1 Pick 4*
R8: 2,8,9
R9: 3,6,8,9
R10: 2
R11: 4,6,11 ($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) — $2,000,000 G3 BLACKWOOD DUELING GROUNDS OAKS for 3YO fillies going 1 5/16 miles
Trainer Brad Cox closes out super-rich meet by trusting young rider Luan Machado to fire hat trick aboard #2 DESTINO D’ORO (9-2 morning line). In Cox I trust with this youthful high-earning coed. Go for the gold, gal.
KENTUCKY DOWNS SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $156
