Mr. Ed’s Gulfstream and Oaklawn Best Bets
TRACKING MR. ED: Last Saturday’s results were disappointing, as the best he could do was cash a $5 Exacta for $59.50. After scratches, wagers totaled $180, resulting in a net loss of $120.50. Trust me, folks, there are greener pastures ahead on the Road to the Roses between now and the first Saturday in May. On to Saturday’s Gulfstream best bets and some bonus Oaklawn best bets.
KENTUCKY DERBY WATCH LIST: (1) Dornoch; (2) Sierra Leone; (3) Catching Freedom; (4) Timberlake; (5) Mystic Lake; (6) Deterministic; (7) Conquest Warrior; (8) Hades; (9) Fierceness; (10) Liberal Arts ; (11) Tuscan Gold and (12) Muth, who is prepping for the Preakness Stakes today for Bob Baffert, whose horses are suspended from racing in Kentucky.
JOCKEY & TRAINER NOTES: While the high-riding Ortiz Bros. stay home at Gulfstream, Tyler Gaffalione heads west to Oaklawn where he picks up nine mounts, including Liberal Arts in the Arkansas Derby. Also at Oakland, keep an eye on young Keith Asmussen, son of winningest all-time trainer Steve, where he’ll be riding a number of races for his father as well as D. Wayne Lukas at the Hot Springs oval. Back in South Florida, out-of-towner, always tough Joel Rosario will be on hand to ride upstart Seminole Chief in the Florida Derby.
LET’S PLAY TWO! With Kentucky Derby qualifying-points races being contested today at Gulfstream and Oaklawn, Mr. Ed again offers his best selections from both challenging race cards. It’s his version of BOGO. The Florida Derby tops the 14-race, stakes-rich program at Gulfstream (first post at 11:30 a.m. ET/8:30 a.m. PT), while the 13-race Arkansas Derby program kicks off at Oaklawn (first post at 1:05 p.m. ET/10:05 a.m. PT).
Mr. Ed’s Gulfstream Best Bets
Race 6 (1:56 p.m. ET/10:56 a.m. PT) — G2 $200K Pan American Stakes at 1 ½-mile on turf, 4YOs & Up
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY is #6 TAWNY PORT (9-5 morning line). The seasoned grass campaigner towers over the lackluster field. Making his second start of the season for deep Clement barn, the millionaire should break sharply and never look back under skillful rider Irad Ortiz, who has scored with him before. Drink the port.
Gulfstream Best Bet: $20 to Win and $5 Daily Doubles with 3,5 & 6 in Race 7. ($35)
Race 7 (2:26 p.m. ET/11:56 a.m. PT) — G3 $150 Ghostzapper Stakes at 1 1/16-mile for 4 YOs & up
I like any of three to complete Daily Double: #3 IL MIRACOLO (9-2 morning line); #5 TUMBARUMBA (2-1) and #6 STEAL SUNSHINE (9-5). Three for the money.
Gulfstream Best Bet: $5 Exacta Box of 3,5,6. ($30)
Race 10 (4:06 p.m. ET/1:06 p.m. PT) — The G3 $150K Orchid Stakes at 1 ½-mile on the turf, fillies & mares, 4YO & up
Mr. Ed is betting pricy #4 SURPRISINGLY (5-2 morning line) will enjoy added distance and a huge rider upgrade to Jose Ortiz. Pletcher trains for the powerful Repole cavalcade of winners. No surprise here.
Gulfstream Best Bet: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 14 (6:42 p.m. ET/3:42 p.m. PT) — The G1 $1 million Florida Derby at 1 ⅛-mile, 3YOs
Mr. Ed likes #9 CONQUEST WARRIOR (3-1 morning line). Winner of last two over surface, $1 million son of City of Light appears ready to meet challenge of graded competition. Shug McGaughey trains and Jose Ortiz retains the ride. Two others, #2 HADES (7-2) and #10 FIERCENESS (8-5) are formative foes.
Gulfstream Best Bet: $10 to Win and $5 Exacta Box of 2,9 & 10. ($40)
Mr. Ed’s Oaklwan Best Bets
Race 10 (6:12 p.m. ET/3:12 p.m. PT) — $250K Matron Stakes at 6 furlongs, fillies and mares, 4YO & up
Mr. Ed likes northeast invader LEELOO (3-1 morning line) to outsprint nine other speed specialists for trainer Ignacio Correas. JJ Hernandez rides. Steady works add to the appeal.
Oaklawn Best Bet: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 11 (7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT) — G3 $750K Fantasy Stakes at 1 1/16-mile, 3YO fillies
I like three for the money: NY invader #1 MY MANE SQUEEZE (3-1 morning line) for Maker and Prat; 8 WEST OMAHA (4-1) for Cox and Gaffalione, and #11 LEMON MUFFIN (9-2) for Lukas and young Asmussen.
Oaklawn Best Bet: $5 Exacta Box of 1,8,11. ($30)
Race 12 (7:47 p.m. ET/4:47 p.m. PT) — G1 $1.5 million Arkansas Derby at 1 ⅛-mile for 3YOs
My pick is MUTH (8-5 morning line) for Baffert and regular rider Hernandez. He’s won 3 of 5 while never being worse than second. The fan favorite comes east to boost his $700K bankroll. The sophomore son of Good Magic shows a string of solid works. I also like #2 TIMBERLAKE (9-5) and #9 MYSTIK DAN (5-2) to get a slice of the purse pie.
Oaklawn Best Bet: $20 to Win and $5 Exacta Box of 2,7,9. ($50)
TOTAL WAGERS: $205
CLOSED SATURDAY & SUNDAY: No racing at Santa Anita due to inclement weather forecast.
OFF TO KEENELAND: Next weekend, Mr. Ed plans to file his exclusive VSiN.com picks from the rolling hills of Kentucky, where he’ll be on hand for the always-competitive Bluegrass Stakes, featuring his current choice, DORNOCH, in the final major points prep for the May 4th Kentucky Derby.
