Saturday Best Bets at Keeneland
Many horseplayers look forward to the first weekend in May for the Run for the Roses, but Mr. Ed gets VSiN.com/horses readers started in the Kentucky racing season with weekend picks during the Keeneland Spring Meet.
After Friday’s opening day, we have the Blue Grass Stakes – Keeneland’s top Kentucky Derby prep race – and a strong undercard.
Races Nos. 1-2 (12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT)
Nothing like good, old-fashioned $4 Daily Double to kickstart the day. Mr. Ed likes:
Race 1: 1,10
Race 2: 1,4 (cost $16)
Race No. 4 (2:15 p.m. ET/11:15 a.m. PT)
I like #8 Chasing Time (5-1 morning line). Jockey Joel Rosario returns aboard veteran sprinting son of Not This Time, for Asmussen. Race sets up perfectly as he goes an extra half-furlong from outside post. Back class, regular work pattern bolster victory claim. No time like the present. Wager $10 to Win and box in $2 Exactas with 2,4,5 ($22).
Race No. 5 (2:50 p.m. ET/11:50 a.m. PT)
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET OF DAY is #7 Run Classic (3-1 morning line). A true horse-for-course, this 5-year-old son of super sprinter Runhappy blistered local oval earning 105 Beyer Speed Figure last November. Sharp trainer Calhoun cuts speedball back to 7 furlongs and retains Leylu Gutierrez in effort to repeat classic run. Wager $10 Win – and – are you feeling lucky? – $4 Daily Double with 7 in next race ($14).
Race No. 6 (3:25 p.m. ET/12:35 p.m. PT)
I like #7 Pleasant Passage (5-2 morning line) to compete mid-card Daily Double. Place finish in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies only blemish on gal’s record. Gaffalione returns to ride for Shug. Just like her daddy, she’s more than ready. Wager $10 ($10).
Races Nos. 7-11 (4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT)
Mr. Ed likes a $50 Pick 5 ($36)
Race 7: 2
Race 8: 5,8,12
Race 9: 1,3,7,11
Race 10: 1,2
Race 11: 2,3,14
Race No. 9 (5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT)
Today’s the day #3 Verifying (3-1 morning line) punches his Kentucky Derby admission ticket in the Grade 1, $1 million Blue Grass Stakes. Expensive 3-year-old son of Triple Crown winner Justify will gobble up extra ground, score in stretch. Cox-Gaffalione connection tough. Trust – but verify. Wager: $10 Win and box in Exactas with 1,7,11 ($22).
FRIDAY WAGERS: $100
FRIDAY CASHED: $34.10
NET BANKROLL: -$65.90
SATURDAY WAGERS: $120