Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs Picks for Wednesday, June 4:
A NEW YORK STATE OF MIND: The five-day Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Racing Festival kicks off today with a 10-race program featuring the very best and brightest thoroughbreds born (and mostly raced) in the Empire State. The racing menu has six stakes, a pair of maiden special weight contests, an allowance, and even a steeplechase. Today’s card is the price horseplayers must pay for Saturday’s rich, all-star card highlighted by the G1 $2 million Belmont Stakes.
A word about the weather forecast: gloomy. You see, for every day of midweek sunshine (today) at Saratoga, unfortunately, buckets of rain often fall over the weekend. With a tip of his hat to Lou Costello, Mr. Ed is hoping his mudders are eating their fodder.
On a more somber note, the game lost a true gentleman and excellent horseman with the recent death of trainer Christophe Clement. His top assistant, son Miguel, is now running the famed CC stable. Today’s racing begins at 12:40 p.m. ET/9:40 a.m. PT with the $150K G1 Hurdle Handicap (I’ll pass). Here’s a look at my somewhat chalky picks.
Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Selections for Wednesday, June 4
Race 2 (1:13 p.m. ET/10:13 a.m. PT) — $200K MIKE LEE STAKES for state-bred 3YOs going 7 furlongs
I’m betting on three for the money. Speedy #3 PRINCE VALIANT (5-2 morning line) for trainer Todd Pletcher, who retains rider Dylan Davis. #5 TRAIN THE TRAINER (3-1) for Rob Atras, who needs no schooling. Irad Ortiz Jr. rides. And, #6 MO PLEX (2-1) for the tough-to-beat team of Jeremiah Englehart and Manny Franco.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 3 (1:46 p.m. ET/10:46 a.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHTS for NY-bred fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 5½ furlongs on the turf
Sexist Mr. Ed likes #4 MISS IM PULSIVE (7-2 morning line) for the duo of trainer Amelia Green and always-smiling rider Katie Davis. Moving to turf is key to victory.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:19 p.m. ET/11:19 a.m. PT) — $200K COMMENTATOR STAKES for NY-bred 3YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
I like trio: Superquick #1 MAMA’S GOLD (3-1 morning line) shortens up for local, veteran horseman Jim Ferraro; #5 DRAKE’S PASSAGE (4-1), who makes jockey switch to Luis Saez, and #8 BANK FRENZY (7-5), legitimate favorite with Manny Franco, knows how to win.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 6 (3:26 p.m. ET/12:26 p.m. PT) — $200K BOUWERIE STAKES for NY-bred 3YO fillies going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s PLAY OF THE DAY is #5 ACCELERATING (5-1 morning line) for all-time winningest trainer Steve Asmussen, who brings Jose Ortiz back to ride. Team is perfect 2 for 2 sprinting at Spa. Key third race in the form cycle.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 7 (4:02 p.m. ET/1:02 p.m. PT) — $200K KINGSTON STAKES for NY-bred 4YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes #9 HUSH OF A STORM (2-1 morning line) for super trainer Brad Cox, who points the gelding to this contest, citing his earlier win over the oval. Flavien Prat returns to ride. Mr. Ed can relate to old guys who aren’t afraid of winning.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $20 to win. ($20)
Race 8 (4:37 p.m. ET/1:37 p.m. PT) — $200K CRITICAL EYE STAKES for NY-bred fillies 3YOs & up going 1 ⅛ miles
My play is #6 LANDED (3-1 morning line) for one of Mr. Ed’s favorite trainers, Wesley Ward, who stretches 4YO out and brings back HOF jockey Johnny Velazquez. Speedy works indicate the gal is ready to land in the Winner’s Circle.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 9 (5:12 p.m. ET/2:12 p.m. PT) — $200K MOUNT VERNON STAKES for NY-bred fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed ends a successful day on a high note. He likes insider #1 SILVER SKILLET (3-1 morning line), who cooks for Miguel Clement. Joel Rosario returns to ride. Pick is 2 for 3 over Spa grass. And, outsider #10 WHATLOVELOOKSLIKE (7-2) for likable team of Todd Pletcher and Irad Ortiz, Jr.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Doubles of 1,10/1,4. ($20)
Race 10 (5:47 p.m. ET/2:47 p.m. PT) — $90K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHTS for NY-breds, 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile
To complete Daily Double I like #1 SIR OSCAR (9-2 morning line), for smooth trainer Graham Motion and top NY jockey Manny Franco, and #4 COACH CASE (5-2), trained by Miguel Clement (going for back-to-back scores) and ridden by popular NY pilot Dylan Davis.
TOTAL WAGERS: $140
THURSDAY AT THE SPA: The exclusive five-day Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Racing Festival continues tomorrow, featuring five stakes races. First Race goes to the post at 12:40 p.m. ET/9:40 a.m. PT. Mr. Ed will return with several selections on the 10-race card. CORRECTION: The G1 $2 million Belmont Stakes is scheduled to go as Race 13 on the Saturday card. The Racing Festival will conclude with a full card on Sunday (not Saturday as previously reported).
