Laurel Park Picks for Saturday, May 16:
HORSING AROUND BALTIMORE (circa 1973): Mr. Ed is fortunate to have spent his teen years growing up within 75 miles of Baltimore, while nurturing his life’s passion for horse racing and handicapping. The day he got permanently hooked on the ponies occurred at Pimlico Race Course when he watched the great Secretariat capture the Preakness Stakes. Please don’t waste your time counting the decades since that day. Suffice to say, “Big Red” was truly a thoroughbred for the ages.
BLACK-EYED SUSAN DAY RESULTS & TODAY’S SELECTIONS: Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. and jockey Tyler Gaffalione teamed up on favorite #10 MY MISS MO ($7.70) to capture the 152nd running of the $300K G2 BLACK-EYED SUSAN STAKES. Other Friday standouts included hometown favorite horsewoman Brittany Russell with three victories, while husband Sheldon Russell and Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Jose Ortiz each had a pair of scores. At the windows, the average $2 win ticket returned a hefty $10.16. As for Saturday, horseplayers will be treated to a stakes-laden 14-race program topped by the lucky R13 $2,000,000 G1 PREAKNESS STAKES. Post time for Race 1 is 10:30 a.m./7:30 a.m. PT. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN picks.
Mr. Ed’s Preakness Day Picks for Saturday, 5/16
Race 1 — $58K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going 5½ furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed is a long-time follower of trainer Michael Stidham, who sends out favorite #7 EPIC STYLE (8-5 morning line) with popular jock Jose Ortiz on board. A repeat of his sprint last month should be enough to defeat this aging crew.
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (12:16 p.m. ET/9:16 a.m. PT) — $125K SKIPAT STAKES for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes two of three for the money: #2 PASSAGE EAST (3-1 morning line) for the team of local trainer Hugh McMahon and jockey Sheldon Russell; #3 KAPPA KAPPA (5-2) with Johnny Velazquez up, and #7 MODO (9-5) for high percentage trainer Kinnon LaRose, who recruits Ortiz bro, Irad Jr., to ride.
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $5 Eacta Box. ($30)
Race 5 (12:51 p.m. ET/9:51 a.m. PT) — $54K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going a mile on the grass
Mr. Ed’s pick is second-time-starter #4 SASSARI (5-2 morning line) for low-key, yet skillful trainer Graham Motion, who sticks with local jockey Mica Sanchez. Repeat of debut is all the coed needs to win.
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 6 (1:28 p.m. ET/10:28 a.m. PT) — $100K SIR BARTON STAKES for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed likes two of three for the money: #2 BIG CUDDLE (9-2 morning line), stretching out for local trainer Gary Capuano with young rider Yedsit Hazelwood; #4 FINAL STORY (2-1) for extra sharp conditioner Brad Cox with Irad Ortiz, Jr. riding, and #7 REAGAN’S HONOR (7-5) for popular trainer Cherie DeVaux with Derby-winning jockey Jose Ortiz aboard.
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 2,4,7. ($30)
Race 7 (2:07 p.m. ET/11:07 a.m. PT) — $150K CHICK LANG STAKES for 3YOs going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed is sticking with the 3YO he rode into Spring on, #4 OBLITERATION (6-5 morning line) for winningest all-time trainer Steve Asmussen, who brings Jose Ortiz back to ride speedy sophomore. We have yet to see the best of this guy. Bet on him.
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 8 (2:48 p.m. ET/11:48 a.m. PT) — $150K G3 MARYLAND SPRINT for 3YOs going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s new favorite trainer (see R13 pick), Whit Beckman, sends out #1 BRING THE SMOKE (10-1 morning line). New conditioner, same rider (Tyler Gaffalione) and without blinkers. Mr. Ed’s counting changes will suit gelding well. Where’s there’s smoke, there’s fire!
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 9 (3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT) — $100K JAMES MURPHY STAKES for 3YOs going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed loves the connections of maiden #3 ZIHNAL (6-1 morning line). Second start for son of super-sire, Quality Road. Gelding, owned by Augustin Stables and trained by Johnathan Thomas, gets a major-league rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz, Jr. Holder of best speed figure in contest. Bombs away!
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 10 (4:11 p.m. ET/1:11 a.m. PT) — $250K G3 DINNER PARTY STAKES for 3YOs & Up going 1⅛-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed is betting that horse-for-course gelding #3 CRUISE THE NILE (9-5 morning line) will use home-track advantage to defeat a tough field of foes while stretching out for Graham Motion barn. On cruise control.
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 11 (4:53 p.m. ET/1:53 p.m. PT) — $150K G3 GALLORETTE STAKES for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up
Mr. Ed is betting on an all Chad Brown Exacta Box of #3 ACCENT (3-1 morning line) with rider upgrade to Flavien Pratt and #7 CHILD OF THE MOON (5-2), ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr.
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $10 Exacta Box. ($20)
Race 13 (7:01 p.m. ET/ 7:01 p.m. PT) — $2,000,000 G1 PREAKNESS STAKES for 3YOs going 1 3/16-mile
Mr. Ed’s pick should come as no surprise to VSiN friends and followers. The rapidly improving Whit Beckman-trained #2 OCELLI (6-1 morning line), based mostly on his flying third-placed finish under Tyler Gaffalione in the KY. Derby, is all Mr. Ed needs to bet him to win the Preakness. He’s also using unbeaten #1 TAJ MAHAL (5-1) for sharp Team Russell, and #6 CHIP HONCHO (5-1) for Steve Asmussen and Derby-winning rider Jose Ortiz.
PREAKNESS AT LAUREL PARK SELECTIONS: $20 to Win & $5 Exacta Boxes. ($50)
TOTAL WAGERS: $210
