Mr. Ed’s Keeneland Picks for Wednesday, April 9:
TRACKING MR. ED: Horseplayers who have been following my commentary and selections over the past few years are well aware of my everlasting love of Keeneland. Torrential rains over my Old Kentucky Racing Home last week played havoc with the track’s racing strips and can be blamed for poor attendance and lackluster racing. However, track officials must accept responsibility for allowing Sunday’s card to be run over a questionable, slick, sloppy surface. While the dirt and turf ovals have dried out, unfortunately, with the exception of yesterday’s Blue Grass card, the really good horses remain in their stalls. Today’s eight-race card is unquestionably the weakest ever to be run at Keeneland. The lineup consists of three cheap claimers, a poor Maiden Special Weight and four low-level allowances. Come on, Mr. Racing Secretary, let the good horses out. The short meet will be over (April 25th) before we know it.
BLUE GRASS DAY RESULTS: I hate it when I get on a horse like Burnham Square, who won the Blue Grass Stakes by a whisker — AFTER I got off him. He was my pick when he won the Holy Bull Stakes, then I got off him after he ran a dull fourth in the Fountain of Youth Stakes. These 3YOs are a tough bunch to gauge. Mr. Ed was on him until he got off him. No one said handicapping was easy — even for an aging “know-it-all” like Mr. Ed. In other developments, top jockey Luis Saez was injured in a spill but was reported to be on the mend. Flavien Prat had three winners and Jose Ortiz had a pair. Ian Wilkes and Brad Cox each had a pair of winners. The average $2 Win ticket paid $12.80. Let’s take a look at Mr. Ed’s picks for Wednesday.
Mr. Ed’s Selections at Keeneland for Wednesday, April 9
Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) —$57K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 6 ½ furlongs for $20K price
Mr. Ed likes longshot #5 KANT BEAT THE ROCK (8-1 morning line). Gelded 7YO has banked more than $200K from his 37 races. Based on his experience, I think the old guy has another victory in him — just like Mr. Ed! Robertino Diodoro trains with Jose Ortiz in the saddle.
KEENELAND PICK: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
I like #7 DR. PARK (6-5 morning line) for his new West Coast-based trainer Peter Eurton. Posted 81 Beyer Speed Figure in debut while finishing fourth. Favorite rider, Flavien Prat, climbs aboard. The doctor will see you soon — in the Winner’s Circle.
KEENELAND PICK: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT) — $130K ALLOWANCE for 4YOs & up going 5 ½ furlongs on turf
Mr. Ed likes the hot trainer-jockey combo of Michael Stidham and Ben Curtis with #6 BOLTAGE (8-1 morning line). Winner of last at Fair Grounds in February, 4YO rested and ready to repeat. He likes to sprint.
KEENELAND PICK: $10 to Win. ($10)
Races 5-9 — $.50 pick 4
R5: 6,8,9
R6: 1,4
R7: 5,6,8,10
R8: 10,11,13 ($36)
Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed likes #6 LION OF JUSTICE (8-5 morning line) for steady trainer Brad Cox and top rider Flavien Prat. Debut winner steps up after earning 92 speed figure. Hear him roar. I’ll use him in combo with #5 CUT THE DUST (12-1), #8 TOUCHY (9-2) and #10 SKATE AWAY (4-1).
KEENELAND PICK: $20 to Win and $5 Exacta Boxes. ($50)
TOTAL WAGERS: $126
MASTERS PICK: Ludvig Aberg (22-1)
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