Mr Ed’s Best Bets for Entire Churchill Downs Card
Welcome to Kentucky Derby Day and Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs best bets.
The first post at Churchill is at 10:30 a.m. ET/7:30 a.m. PT with the Kentucky Derby post at 6:57 p.m. ET/3:57 p.m. PT.
>>More Kentucky Derby analysis and picks from VSiN’s experts.
MR. ED’S TOP SELECTIONS AT CHURCHILL DOWNS
Race 4 (12:04 p.m. ET/9:04 a.m. PT) — $200K Knicks Go Stakes for 4YOs & up, at 1-mile
Mr. Ed likes #6 BEST ACTOR (5-2 morning line) for team of Brad Cox and Flavien Prat. Strictly a get-even wager as I had him in March when he laid an egg in New Orleans Classic at Fair Grounds. Guy loves Churchill where he’s 2 for 2 and will relish cutback to mile. Give the man an Oscar.
Churchill Downs Best Bets: $10 to Win and $5 Exact Box 1,6,8. ($40)
Race 5 (12:36 p.m. ET/9:36 a.m. PT) — G2 $100K Twin Spires Turf Sprint for 3YOs & up at 5 ½ furlongs
I’m betting #8 MISCHIEF MAGIC (4-1 morning line), import from Ireland, packs enough speed in the stretch to handle this group of turf specialists. Trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by legendary Larry Dettori, the colt is full of magic.
Churchill Downs Best Bet: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 8 (2:46 p.m. ET/11:46 a.m. PT) — G2 $600K Pat Day Mile for 3YOs
Mr. Ed has three for the money: #7 WHO DEY (10-1 morning line) with jockey Brian Hernandez; #8 TOP CONOR (5-2) with Jose Ortiz riding, #12 NASH (3-1) with Florent Geroux in the saddle.
Churchill Downs Best Bet: $5 Exacta Box of 7,8,12. ($30)
Race 9 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT) — G2 $600K American Turf Stakes at 1 1/16 for 3YOs
Mr. Ed likes import #5 LEGEND OF TIME (7-2 morning line), for British trainer Charlie Appleby, who has won four of five races in Great Britain. Softer the turf the better. Legendary rider Larry Dettori rides colt for first time.
Churchill Downs Best Bet: $20 to Win and $5 Exacta Box of 5,6,14. ($50)
Race 10 (4:31 p.m. ET/1:31 p.m. PT) — G1 $1 million Churchill Downs Stakes at 7 furlongs for 4YOs & up
I’ll take a stab with #7 TRACK MATE (12-1 morning line) with youngest jockey Keith Asmussen and oldest trainer ‘The Coach’ Wayne Lukas. If colt can repeat last two, he’ll have a hat trick. Works indicate he’s ready for extra ground. Check mate.
Churchill Downs Best Longshot: $5 Win, Place & Show. ($15)
Race 11 (5:27 p.m. ET/2:37 p.m. PT) — G1 $1 million Old Forester Turf Classic at 1 ½-mile for 4 YOs & up
With soft turf, Mr. Ed trusts the Appleby-Dettori duo with British invader #11 NAVAL POWER (7-2 morning line) in marathon grass test. Permission to come aboard?
Churchill Downs Best Bet: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 12 (6:57 p.m. ET/3:57 p.m. PT) — G1 $5 million KENTUCKY DERBY at 1 ¼-mile for 3YOs
Now is the time for #7 HONOR MARIE (20-1 morning line) to shine. What’s not to like? Sharp trainer (Beck Whitworth); sneaky-good rider (Ben Curtis), stretching out, two wins over track, and mid-gate post position. Look for son of Honor Code to pass tiring speedsters deep in stretch. It’s an honor to have Derby winner!
Churchill Downs BEST BET OF DAY: $20 to Win and $5 Exacta Box of 2,7,8,17. ($60)
Races 13-14 (8:00 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) Get out of town Late Daily Double
Race 13: #2 DISCREET MISCHIEF (5-2 morning line); #9 GENERAL PARTNER (2-1) & #13 PIRATE (12-1)
Race 14: #1 DIVE BOMBER (9-5 morning line); #3 GUN PARTY (7-2) & #12 TIMEOUT (6-1)
Churchill Downs BEST $5 DAILY DOUBLE: 2,9,13/1,3,12. ($45)
TOTAL WAGERS: $280
TRACKING MR. ED: I failed to cash any tickets on Kentucky Oaks Day, but Mr. Ed is alive in the Oaks-Derby Double with the Oaks winner #5 Thorpedo Anna paired with #1 Dornoch, #2 Sierra Leone, #7 HONOR MARIE (Derby top pick), #8 Just a Touch and #17 Fierceness. Guess one could say Oaks fans got soaked and Mr. Ed (-$202, after scratches) took a bath.
