Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Picks for Friday, April 18:
TRACKING MR. ED: Another chalky day at the races. Without the benefit of a longshot’s $54 score, the average $2 win ticket returned $5.11, not enough to cover the price of admission. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who leads the tight rider standings with 15 wins over Flavien Prat with 14, was the day’s lone double winner. No single trainer won more than a single race. In the top trainer standings, Brad Cox with 8 wins narrowly leads Wesley Ward with 7. Friday’s 10-race card kicks off at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. The forecast is for unsettled weather, with a high of 78. Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s picks.
Mr. Ed’s Selections at Keeneland for Friday, April 18
Race 1 (1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT) — $78K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
It’s trainer Wesley Ward’s world; we are only betting in it. I like #1 TUNISIAN SPRING (4-5 morning line) for Ward and Jose Ortiz and #4 FROST MOUNTAIN (9-2), for Michael Stidham, with young Ben Curtis riding.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 DAILY DOUBLE of 1,4/1,4. ($20)
Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) — $80K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2Y0s going 4 ½ furlongs
I like #1 VICTORIA’S SHANCES (3-1 morning line) for Ward and Gerardo Corrales and #4 EPIC DESIRE (7-2) for Todd Pletcher and Johnny Velazquez.
Race 4 (2:36 p.m. ET/11:36 a.m. PT) — $63K CLAIMING for fillies and mares 4YOs & up going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #4 SUNNY ISLE BEACH (4-1 morning line) for trainer Matt Shirer, who rehires Adam Beschizza to ride. Second off a layoff, cuts back in distance. It’s a day at the beach.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT)— $130K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up going 1 ½ miles on the turf
I’m betting on #1 BOURBON THIEF (6-1 morning line) for Ian Wilkes, who rehires son-in-law Chris Landeros to ride. Sharp win at Gulfstream Park is a firm foundation for stretching out to marathon. Keep your hands off my Buffalo Trace.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 6 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT) — $58K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 6 ½ furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #3 DIVINE (5-2 morning line) for trainer Rudy Brisset, who hires leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr. and adds blinkers; #5 ZEN MOMENT (7-5) for Walsh-Prat combo, and #7 ITWILLBEFUN (9-2) for Kenny McPeak and Jose Ortiz on the stretchout.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)
Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — $75K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YO fillies & mares going 6 furlongs
My choice is #7 ORDER RESTORED (6-1 morning line) for 33% win trainer John Ortiz with Jose Ortiz in the saddle. Pitch last in slop. She can handle a slight upgrade.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 8 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT) — $140K ALLOWANCE for 4 YOs & Up going 5 ½ furlongs
Mr. Ed’s LONGSHOT OF THE DAY is #13 DOUBLE CLUTCH (12-1 morning line). Trainer Rusty Arnold hires Johnny V. to ride his stable out of a slump. Gelding has speed figures good enough to score from the outside post. Clutch play.
KEENELAND SELECTIONS: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)
Race 9 (5:16 p.m. ET/2:16 p.m. PT) — G3 $350K DOUBLEDOGDARE STAKES for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed likes two: #5 TARIFA (3-1 morning line) and #6 CANDIED (8-5).
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 DAILY DOUBLE of 5,6/2,10. ($20)
Race 10 (5:48 p.m. ET/2:48 p.m. PT) — G3 $120K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 4YOs & Up going 1 1/16 mile on the turf
I’ll dare to complete the wager with #2 MYSTIFYING (9-5 morning line) and #10 ALIMARA (9-2).
TOTAL WAGERS: $125
SATURDAY AT KEENELAND: Two excellent stakes, the G2 $400K ELKHORN and the G3 $350K BEN ALI, headline the 11-race card on the final Saturday of the Spring meet. Post time for the first race is 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. The forecast is for unsettled weather with a high in the 70s. Mr. Ed will return with his exclusive VSiN picks.
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