Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Picks for Wednesday, April 16:
TRACKING MR. ED: Following a dramatic Masters, Mr. Ed took two days to come down off a super-adrenaline high. The final 19 holes might just qualify as the best golf show ever. As for the ponies, today’s eight-race card lacks much to write about. So first, here’s a look at meet stats: Flavien Prat (12) leads jockey standings, followed by the Ortiz brothers (10 each) and Luis Saez (10). As for trainers, Brad Cox (7) leads Brenda Walsh (5), Wesley Ward (4) and Eddie Kenneally (4). Handicapping, Mr. Ed found the following lukewarm plays on today’s card, which begins at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.
Mr. Ed’s Selections at Keeneland for Wednesday, April 16
Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) — $48K MAIDEN CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 4YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s first pick of the week is #14 WHAT’S HER NUMBER* (4-1 morning line). If the filly draws in for trainer Joe Sharp, she’s well prepared to break her maiden. Drop in class and addition of top rider Jose Ortiz point to Sharp’s positive intentions. Dial up the daughter of Dialed In. (*on also eligible list)
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $69K CLAIMING for 4YOs & Up going 1 1/16-miles
Mr. Ed likes #8 SLIP MAHONEY (3-1 morning line), who takes a class drop for new trainer Jose D’Angelo after a show finish in Saratoga stakes last summer. The winner of nearly $500K, the gelding posts solid works. Saez returns to give the field the slip.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:36 p.m. ET/11:36 a.m. PT) — $50K MAIDEN for 3YOs & Up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF THE DAY is #10 DOUBLE BARREL (7-5 morning line) for superior trainer Brad Cox, who hires top jockey Flavien Prat to take advantage of big class drop. The combo adds up to a sure shot.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf
I’ll take a chance with three: #3 CANDY MINE (4-1 morning line) gets Lasix for her second start and move to sod; #6 SOFTWARE (5-1) with big rider upgrade to Flavien Prat and #8 PRACTICAL LOV (7-2) as Johnny V. returns for HOF trainer Bill Mott.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Races 6-8 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT) — $2 PICK 3
R6: 3,5
R7: 1,8,9
R8: 1,3,4 ($36)
Race 6 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for 4YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #3 JUSTIFREAK (4-1 morning line) for hot trainer Eddie Kenneally, who hires Flavien Prat to pilot the first-off-claim son of Justify to outclass the field. Also, don’t discount #5 DARIOUSH (7-2) for Michael Stidham.
KEENELAND SELECTIONS: $10 to Win and $5 Exacta Box. ($20)
TOTAL WAGERS: $126
MR. ED’S KENTUCKY DERBY TOP 10 RATINGS (as of 04/15):
- RODRIGUEZ … hot to trot for Baffert barn; Mike Smith rides
- SOVEREIGNTY … Sharp second in Florida Derby; Mott-Alvarado team
- JOURNALISM … California speedball might take it all. Rispoli a plus
- BURNHAM SQUARE … Mr. Ed on him, off him; could go either way
- LUXOR CAFE … Four consecutive wins in Japan; powerful invader
- TAPPAN STREET … lightly raced; too green to go distance? Cox trains
- EAST AVENUE … fast, but has look of rabbit; Derby road gets tougher
- CITIZEN BULL … in deep end of pool; doubt he can go 1¼ miles
- SANDMAN … Arkansas Derby winner for hot trainer John Ortiz
- FLYING MOHAWK … long shot for up-and-coming trainer Beckman
THURSDAY AT KEENELAND: Nine-race card features four allowance contests and a tough MSW sprint for Kentucky breds. Sharp trainer Ward has four runners on the card entered to run. Post time for the first race is 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. Mr. Ed will be offering his exclusive VSiN selections.
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