Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Picks:
SATURDAY AT KEENELAND: With fewer than two weeks to go before the two-day Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar, the elite superstars are training in the morning or walking the shedrow, leaving afternoon racing to run-of-the-mill, lower-class starters. Hence, more difficult, subpar racing cards like today. As for Friday, jockey Luis Saez won three consecutive races, while Tyler Gaffalione, fresh off his two-day suspension, won a pair. Just when I thought payoffs had returned to chalk, up popped Race 9 with a $65 for $2 winning ticket. Here are Mr. Ed’s Keeneland picks.
Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Picks for Saturday (10/19)
Race 1 (1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m PT) — $79K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a pair: #3 LIL BREEZZY (9-2 morning line) for NY-circuit conditioner Jeremiah Englehart and jockey Junior Alvarado & #6 WISCONSIN GIRL (5-2) for trainer Paul McEntee and Frankie Dettori for the first leg of a Daily Double.
Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) — $57K CLAIMING for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
I like two to complete the wager: #2 STAND BY YOU (7-2 morning line) for trainer James Watkins with go-to rider Geraldo Corrales & #9 AWESOME ANNMARIE (3-1) for NY trainer-owner David Jacobson and top rider Irad Ortiz Jr.
KEENELAND PICK: $5 Daily Double of 3,6/2,9. ($20)
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 5 ½ furlongs on turf
Irish import #5 HIT THAT REVIEW (3-1 morning line) for the powerful duo of Brendan Walsh and red-hot rider Tyler Gaffalione is my choice. Slight cutback should suit the son of No Nay Never. Beaten choice in the last two, it’s his time to shine.
KEENELAND PICK: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:36 p.m. ET/11:36 a.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 2YOs going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed likes three: #3 AUTHENTIC STRIKE (5-2 morning line) for meet-leading team of Rudy Brisset-Tyler Gaffalione; #5 GLOBAL LEGEND (7-2) for Mark Casse and Jose Ortiz, and #7 JACK’S TIME (8-5) for Kelly Von Hemel and Luis Saez.
KEENELAND PICK: $5 Exacta Box of 3,5,7 ($30)
Race 6 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs going 6 1/2-furlongs
My choice is Irish import #4 WICO (3-2 morning line) for Wesley Ward, who hires Frankie Dettori to get the expensive colt home ahead of all others. Class drop is key.
KEENELAND PICK: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 7 (4:12 p.m. PT/1:12 p.m. PT) — G3 $300K PERRYVILLE STAKES for 3YOs going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #10 LOCKED (7-2 morning line) for super trainer Todd Pletcher, who retains top rider Jose Ortiz to score again. Son of Gun Runner finished third in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Son of gun is loaded.
KEENELAND BEST BET: $30 to Win. ($30)
Race 8-10 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT) — $130K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mile on turf
Mr. Ed likes $2 Pick 3
R8: 3,10,12
R9: 5
R10: 1,3,6,10 ($12)
Race 9 (5:48 p.m. ET/2:48 p.m. PT) — G2 $350K RAVEN RUN STAKES for 3YO fillies going 7 furlongs
Leading rider Tyler Gaffalione aboard #5 EMERY (7-5 morning line) is Mr. Ed’s selection. Winner of 4 of 6, Brad Cox trains son of super sire More Than Ready. Choice towers above others.
KEENELANE PICK: $30 to Win. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $152
SUNDAY PREVIEW: The nine-race card is littered with a few allowances, maiden and claiming contests. The lone exception is Race 8, G3 $300K ROOD & RIDDLE DOWAGER marathon for fillies and mares 3YOs & up. Post time for the first race is 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m PT. Mr. Ed plans to be on hand with his selections.
NFL: 3-3*
DETROIT LIONS +2.5
(*against spread)
