Mr. Ed’s Turfway Park and Fair Grounds Best Bets
PLACE YOUR BETS: Mr. Ed cooled off last week as only two of his selections at Gulfstream finished in the money — a $10 Place bet for $34 in Race 5 and a $10 Place bet in Race 12 for $29. For the day, he wagered $160 and earned $63 for a net loss of $97. In an effort to recoup his loss and award his loyal followers, Mr. Ed is offering a two-tracks-for-the-price-of-one column today, featuring stakes-rich, Kentucky Derby-points cards. Today, you get both Turfway Park and Fair Grounds best bets.
NEWS & NOTES: No Derby Dozen update. Look for new standings, incorporating today’s two prep results, next week when Mr. Ed returns to Gulfstream Park for the Florida Derby. And as a bonus, he plans to offer a few picks from Oaklawn Park, highlighted by the Arkansas Derby, as well.
TUSSLE AT TURFWAY: The Jeff Ruby Steaks, at 1 ⅛-mile, featuring a diverse crop of a dozen three-year-olds hoping to punch their ticket to the Kentucky Derby, highlights a 13-race card, which includes several other stakes contests. Out-of-town super riders Luis Saez, Javier Castellano, Frankie Dettori and Jose Ortiz are listed to ride in several stakes … Post time for Race 1 at Turfway is 12:45 p.m. ET/9:45 a.m. PT.
Mr. Ed’s Top Selections at Turfway Park
Race 7 (3:43 p.m. ET/12:43 p.m. PT) — $250K Animal Kingdom Stakes for 3YOs, six furlongs
#8 VOTE NO (5-1 morning line) returns to sprint for Morey-Corrales team. He’s three for five lifetime, including an easy score two back. Guy gets my vote.
TURFWAY BEST BETS: $10 to Win on 8 and $5 Exacta Box of 7,8,10. ($40)
Race 8 (4:13 p.m. ET/1:13 p.m. PT) — $250K Rushaway Stakes for 3YOs, 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed’s betting on #12 FOOTPRINT (6-1 morning line) v. full field of peers. Trainer Kenny McPeek ships the colt in from Oaklawn, adds blinkers, and brings Julien Leparoux back to ride. Look for him flying in the stretch.
TURFWAY BEST BETS: $10 to Win on 12 and box in $5 Exactas with 5,8 & 9. ($40)
Race 11 (5:43 p.m. ET/2:43 p.m. PT)
SPOT PLAY: #6 BAND OF GOLD (5-1)
Race 12 (6:25 p.m. ET/3:25 p.m. PT — G3 $700K Jeff Ruby Steaks for 3YOs, 1 ⅛- mile
This is one tough stakes to swallow. While Mr. Ed would like to single a winner and pronounce him Derby-bound, he counts at least a half dozen legitimate contenders. The best I can offer is a pricy trio: #3 LUCKY JEREMY (8-1 morning line) ships in for hot trainer Morey, Corrales up. #4 NOTED (10-1) for Todd Pletcher, Luis Saez riding; and #8 OTELLO (10-1) for Christophe Clement with Javier Castellano in the irons. Hope for the best.
TURFWAY BEST BETS: $5 EXACTA BOX OF 3,4 & 8. ($3O)
BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS: The Louisiana Derby, another traditional stepping stone for three-year-olds aiming for a spot in the gate at Churchill Downs the first Saturday in May, draws a deep field of 11 colts going 1 ⅛ -mile at the Fair Grounds. Several out-of-town jockeys are listed to ride in stakes, including Johnny Velazquez, Joel Rosario, Tyler Gaffalione, Flavien Prat and Irad Ortiz Jr. Also, keep an eye on local circuit up-and-comer Jareth Loveberry. Post time for Race 1 at Fair Grounds is 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.
Mr. Ed’s Top Selections at Fair Grounds
Race 9 (4:04 p.m. ET/1:04 p.m. PT) — G2 $500K New Orleans Classic at 1 ⅛-mile, 4YOs & up
Mr. Ed likes #9 BEST ACTOR (7-2 morning line) to steal this contest on the front end for top trainer Brad Cox and regular rider Flavien Prat. Oscar-winning performance.
MR. ED’S BEST BET OF THE DAY: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 11 (5:08 p.m. ET/2:08 p.m. PT) — G2 $400K Fair Grounds Oaks at 1 1/16-mile, 3YO fillies
I’m betting on the favorite #6 INTRICATE (2-1 morning line) under Tyler Gaffalione to prevail over the seven sophomore gals. I’ll also link her in the Exactas with #5 TARIFA (8-5) with Flavien Prat and #7 OUR PRETTY WOMAN (4-1).
FAIR GROUNDS BEST BETS: $10 to Win on #6 and $5 Exacta box of 5,6 &7. ($40)
Race 12 (6:42 p.m. ET/3:42 p.m. PT) — G2 $1 million Louisiana Derby at 1 3/16-mile
MR. ED likes lightly raced outsider #11 TUSCAN GOLD (8-1 morning line) to upset the sophomore field in the prestigious Kentucky Derby qualifier. The pricy son of Medaglia d’Oro is trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione. Poised to repeat his maiden romp at Gulfstream, the sophomore should handle the extra distance and is getting Lasix for the second time. Others to respect: #2 HALL OF FAME (8-1), #5 CATCHING FREEDOM (4-1) and #12 TRACK PHANTOM (3-1). Mine the gold.
FAIR GROUNDS BEST BETS: $20 to Win, $10 to Place on the 11. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $200
BRACKETS BUSTER: Mr. Ed has Arizona, Iowa State, Creighton and Marquette in his Final Four.
