Mr. Ed’s Penn National Picks for Friday, June 27:
BACK TO THE FUTURE: A long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away (the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania), Mr. Ed was sharpening his journalistic chops as a promising young copy editor at The Patriot-News in the capital city of Harrisburg. Behold, the racing gods bestowed a gift! Penn National Race Track opened nearby, less than 20 miles from my backyard. No more trips to Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York or Saratoga Springs to satiate his craving for horse racing action. With Penn National close to home, a weekly trip there was often enough to satisfy his racing-gambling appetite. Unfortunately, PN was serving up hash while Mr. Ed had tasted steak (Secretariat, Dr. Fager, Kelso, etc.) at the nation’s more established racing venues and OTBs. However, upon placing in a pair of handicapping contests, Mr. Ed settled in and became a devout PN fan and visitor. Flash forward to racing today; PN is serving up the best racing menu in the nation, highlighted by the $400K G3 Penn Mile. Race 1 goes off at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT. Mr. Ed has identified several races worth a wager. Here are his exclusive VSiN picks:
Mr. Ed’s Penn National Picks for Friday (06/27)
Race 1 (5:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. PT) — $34.5K OPTIONAL CLAIMING FOR 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a pair: #1 ELLIE’S BOYFRIEND (5-2 morning line), who gets a significant rider upgrade to Angel Rodriguez from area trainer Brandon Kulp. Sharp work appreciates gelding like rail post, and #3 CAJUN VIBES (3-1) with jockey Vlad Diaz seeking repeat win.
PENN NATIONAL SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 1,3/2,4. ($20)
Race 2 (5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT) — $50K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going about 5 furlongs on the turf
To complete the winning ticket, Mr. Ed likes two: #2 GIFT OF GAB (5-2 morning line) for MD-based trainer Suzanne Stettinius with Carol Cedeno on board; and #4 SHOSHANAH (6-1) for promising trainer Kyle Horlacher with Rodriguez riding. Mare has a pair of wins at the track.
Race 3 (6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT) — $75K LYPHARD STAKES for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Three for Mr. Ed’s money: #3 NATURE’S CANDY (6-1 morning line) with Andy Hernandez, mare #10 PACHELBEL (8-1) with Kendrick Carmouche riding, and #11 PRINCESS JAVONCIA (8-1) with top-notch Flavien Prat in PA to ride.
PENN NATIONAL SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 4 (6:35 p.m. ET/3:35 p.m. PT) — $75K ALPHABET SOUP HANDICAP for PA-bred 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY is #9 EFF THIRTY FIVE (5-2 morning line) for hot MD-based trainer Brittany Russell who imports top-jock Irad Ortiz, Jr. to ride. Winning combination.
PENN NATIONAL SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 5 (7:10 p.m. ET/4:10 p.m. PT) — $150K THE PENN OAKS for 3YO fillies going a mile on the turf
When the stakes get tough, Mr. Ed gets winning. He likes #8 LOVE AND POETRY (6-1 morning line) for red hot Cherie DeVaux crew arriving in PA with cagy rider Jose Ortiz. Isn’t it romantic!
PENN NATIONAL SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box with 6&9. ($20)
Races 5-8 (7:10 p.m. ET/4:10 p.m. PT) — $1 PICK 4
PENN NATIONAL SELECTIONS:
R5: 1,3,6,8,9
R6: 7
R7: 2,4,6
R8: 1,2,6 ($45)*
*When and if a horse is scratched, the post-time favorite is the substitute pick
Race 6 (7:45 p.m. ET/4:45 p.m. PT) — $400K G3 PENN MILE for 3 YOs
The race of the day attracts a field of eight aspiring sophomores. Irish-bred #7 ZULU KINGDOM has the look of a future superstar. With Flavien Prat on board, Mr. Ed likes his chances, even at chalky odds. Zulu rules!
PENN NATIONAL SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 9 (9:12 p.m. ET/6:12 p.m. PT) — $21K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
With a tip of his cap to good old times at PN, Mr. Ed closes out the card with a talented horse-for-the-course (9-3-4-2), #6 WHEN YOUR STRANGE (4-1 morning line). Veteran trainer George Albright hires local jockey Ricardo Chiappe. Go cash your ticket.
PENN NATIONAL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
TOTAL WAGERS: $165
BACK TO CHURCHILL DOWNS: With a week to go in the Spring meet, upstart Joe Sharp sits atop a tight race for winningest trainer. Sharp, with 16 wins, leads the annual powerhouse stables of Brad Cox with 15 and Steve Asmussen with 10. As for winning riders, Jose Ortiz leads Luis Saez 47-44, according to the Daily Racing Form. Saturday’s stakes-rich,12-race card is headlined by the $1M G1 Stephen Foster on the dirt for older horses going 1⅛-mile. Six of the seven top thoroughbreds entered have banked in excess of $1 million, led by Cox’s #6 HIT SHOW with $8,406,928 and #5 MYSTIK DAN with $4,417,570. However, #4 SIERRA LEONE is the 5-2 favorite. Post time for the Race 11 Foster is 6:03 p.m. ET/3:03 p.m. PT. Mr. Ed will be here on VSiN.com with his Foster selection and approximately $200 in total Saturday action. Between now and then, please join Mr. Ed in keeping “The Coach,” HOF trainer D. Wayne Lukas, in your thoughts and prayers.
