Keeneland Friday Best Bets on Closing Day
TWO FOR THE MONEY, ONE FEELIN’ LOW: It’s been a long week for Mr. Ed having to cope with his dismal Keeneland record. Thank goodness, the end of the Spring meet has arrived (get-out-of-town selections below). On to Churchill … On positive side of ledger, two of my very best handicapping friends — NC Tony and Dave Tuley — recently scored major contest victories. I was with Tony in the Green Room at Keeneland when he captured the $400 buy-in event. His total take, which included a $10,000 seat in the Breeders Cup Betting Challenge in November at Santa Anita, his day’s winning cash voucher and first-place prize money topped $16,000. Following the score, we enjoyed a high-end steak dinner and beverages (on him) at Jeff Ruby’s … Shortly thereafter, my VSiN editor and long-time Las Vegas bombs-away guru Tuley won a seat in the National Horseplayers Championship (to be contested on his home turf in March) for the second time. Congrats, pals … As JFK opined, all ships, including my outlook, rise with the tide. Here are Mr. Ed’s closing-day picks at Keeneland.
Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT)
Mr. Ed likes #4 Viewers Discretion (3-1 morning line). Stretching out and dropping down keys to success for Kellyn Gorder-trained granddaughter of Uncle Mo. Rider upgrade to Gerardo Corrales adds to appeal. This gal’s been close. Today she gets the whole banana. Wager: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT)
Mr. Ed’s LONGSHOT PLAY OF THE DAY. I like #6 The Reds (8-1 morning line) to upset salty bunch of allowance routers. Son on Tonalist, pick gets class relief while going longer for Saffie Joseph barn. Recent string of Palm Meadows works and addition of crafty Luis Saez point to reds-letter day. Wager: $10 to Win and Place as well as boxing in $3 Exactas with 2 and 4. ($32)
Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT)
My BEST BET OF THE DAY is #3 Castlewarden (5-2 morning line). On Mr. Ed’s DRF Watch List since bump cost Brad Cox-conditioned colt win at first asking as heavy favorite. Strong works at Churchill Downs, return of rider Florent Geroux and stretch-out signal positive intentions. Wager: $20 to Win and box $3 Exactas with 6 and 10. ($32)
Races 7-10 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT)
Mr. Ed likes $.50 Pick 4 ($54)
Race 7: 3,6,10
Race 8: 2,4,5,6
Race 9: 1,4,6
Race 10: 3,8,11
Race 9 (5:16 p.m. ET/2:16 p.m. PT)
Mr. Ed’s LAST BET OF THE DAY: Nothing like a #6 Bourbon Heist (4-1 morning line) to close out the meet. Hard to believe 15-race vet only has a single score in his PPs. Trainer Ian Wilkes gives apprentice rider Yoel Navas a leg up in light-weight, second-win effort. Moving gelding to grass after a pair of second-place, synthetic surface finishes aid cause. He should benefit from going longer. Wager: $40 to Win. ($40)
TOTAL DAY 7 WAGERS: $178
6-DAY TOTALS
WAGERED: $755
CASHED: $217.95
BANKROLL: -537.05