Turfway Park Picks for Saturday, March 21:
HORSING AROUND: It’s not Mr. Ed’s cup of tea to handicap and play a track he’s unfamiliar with. But, he’s making an exception today with Turfway Park in Ohio. In addition to being a legitimate Winter-Spring stop on the way to the Kentucky Derby (May 2) with the annual $777K G3 Jeff Ruby Steaks, the track is offering a dozen other contests as well, including five additional stakes. The busy card features more than 150 entries from nearly 100 different trainers and 25 riders with first post at 12:45 p.m. ET/9:45 a.m. PT. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections.
Mr. Ed’s Selections for Turfway Park, Saturday (3/21)
Race 1 — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YO fillies going a mile
Mr. Ed will take a shot at the early DD with two in the first leg: #4 ADORABLE MOMENTS (8-1 morning line) for Whit Beckman and barn’s go-to rider, Joseph Ramos, and #5 NICKSIE (5-2) adding blinkers for Tom Drury with HOF jockey Johnny Velazquez.
TURFWAY PARK SELECTION: $5 Daily Doubles of 4,5/1,4. ($20)
Race 2 (1:13 p.m. ET/10:13 a.m. PT) — $102K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s betting either 34-race veteran #1 GLOBAL SENSATION (6-1 morning line) with big rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz, Jr. for Mike Maker, or #4 HOGIE THE PLAYER (5-1) for first-time trainer Troy Wismer with Luan Machado returning to saddle.
Race 4 (2:13 p.m. ET/11:13 a.m. PT) — $102K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going a mile
Mr. Ed says, #5 YES INDEED (5-1 morning line) is his horse right here. Trained by veteran horsewoman Cherie DeVaux and ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., 5YO mare appears ready to score in her Turfway debut. Watch for her in the stretch.
TURFWAY PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (3:43 p.m. ET/12:43 p.m. PT) — $250K LATONIA STAKES for fillies and mares, 4YOs & Up going 1 1/16 mile
Mr. Ed likes #1 LITERATE (8-5 morning line), speedy mare for tip-top trainer Brad Cox, who joins with Luan Machado in pursuit of a hat trick. Fit as a fiddle.
TURFWAY PARK SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 8 (4:13 p.m. ET/1:13 p.m. PT) —$250K RUSHAWAY STEAKS for 3 YOs going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed’s betting on three for the money: #1 J J GREY (4-1 morning line) for popular Kenny McPeek with Joel Rosario up; #4 STEEL IMPERIUM (7-2), making third start for trainer Caio Caramori, and #8 BULL BY THE HORNS (9-2) with rider upgrade to HOFer Johnny Velazquez.
TURFWAY PARK SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 1,4,8. ($30)
Races 9-12 (4:43 p.m. ET/1:43 p.m. PT) — $.50 Pick 4*
R9: 3,7,8
R10:1,9
R11:5,7,9
R12: 2,4,8,10,11 ($40)
*In the event of a scratch, the post-time favorite is the substitute pick.
Race 12 (6:25 p.m. ET/3:25 p.m. PT) — $775K G3 JEFF RUBY STEAKS for 3YOs going 1⅛-mile
While none of the dozen entries jump off the page as a future Kentucky Derby contender, after today, at least one might merit serious consideration. Mr. Ed believes no fewer than five have a chance to earn a spot in the KD starting gate. They are: #8 CHAOS AGENT (10-1 morning line), making second start for Josie Carroll; #10 ARGOS (6-1) gets first-time blinkers for top trainer Brad Cox; #11 STARK CONTRAST (5-2) West Coast invader for Michael McCarthy; #2 FULLEFFORT (7-2), another Cox player with always sharp Irad Ortiz, Jr. returning to saddle, and #4 TWO OUT HERO (8-1), with Gerardo Corrales from Kevin Attard’s excellent barn.
TURFWAY PARK SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 2,8,10 ($30); $5 Exacta Box of 8/2,4 ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $170
