WEDNESDAY RECAP: Another day, another -$94. Mr. Ed is not a happy camper after lackluster efforts from nearly all his selections. Thursday’s card is very weak (see below), but the weekend stakes racing and weather forecast look promising … As for Wednesday successes, leading rider Luis Saez had a three-bagger, upping his win total to 42, seven ahead of Jose Ortiz, who had a single score. Joel Rosario had a pair of victories … Michael Maker continues to lead all trainers with 21 wins, three ahead of Chad Brown … Many favorites prevailed, resulting in a paltry average Win ticket paying $5.55 … Those getting the $1 Pick 6 correct, cashed tickets for $2,210.
IRAD INDEX: Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. had one winner ($4.70) from five mounts ($2 each = $10), for a net loss of $5.30. Mr. Ed knows how he feels.
THURSDAY AT THE SPA: With morning lines laden with chalky choices, today’s 10-race card well could produce the lowest average Win payout of the meet … Today’s feature, the $100,000 Union Avenue Handicap (Race No. 9, 5:39 p.m. ET/2:39 p.m. PT) for NY-bred fillies & mares is a ho-hum affair which has attracted a mediocre sorority of six … Even worse, it is surrounded by several low-class maiden and claiming events — and sloppy conditions are expected … If you need a day off from the races, take it today — and save your energy and dollars for the upcoming weekend. Unfortunately for Mr. Ed, his deal with VSiN doesn’t contain a day-off clause, so here are his selections:
BEST BET #1 (Race No. 3, 2:15 p.m. ET/11:15 a.m. PT)
Claiming game guru Wayne Potts enters #1 Tenderness (5-2 morning line) main track only, second off claim. Cuts back, gets big rider upgrade to Jose Ortiz. Love me some Tenderness. Wager: $10 to Win on 1. ($10)
BEST BET #2 (Race No. 6, 3:55 p.m. ET/12:55 p.m. PT)
West Coast trainer extraordinaire Bob Baffert returns #6 Fenway (7-5 morning line) to his birth state, adds blinkers, attracts Johnny Velazquez. Might be green ($) monster. Wager: $10 to Win & Place on 6. ($20)
$0.50 LATE PICK 4 (Races Nos. 7-10, 4:29 p.m. ET/1:29 p.m. PT)
Race 7: 6,7,10,11
Race 8: 3,6,9
Race 9: 1,6
Race 10: 1,5,6,11 ($48)
EXACTA EXTRA (Race No. 8, 5:05 p.m. ET/2:05 p.m. PT)
Mr. Ed favors any two of these three: #3 Gambling Cat (7-2 morning line); #6 Battle Bling (9-2) & #9 Kerik (10-1). Wager $2 Exacta Box of 3,6 & 9. ($12)
TOTAL WAGERS: $90
UPCOMING FEATURES
Friday: $120,000 Skidmore, turf sprint for for 2-year-olds
Saturday: Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama Stakes at 1 1/4-mile for 3-year-olds: Grade 2, $200,000 Lake Placid Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on turf & $120,000 Smart N Fancy Stakes, turf sprint for fillies & mares, 4-year-olds and up
Sunday: $120,000 Summer Colony at 1 1/8 miles for fillies & mares, 4-year-olds and up
