Editor’s note: Just like he did during the 40-day Saratoga meet last summer, Ed Sehon (aka Mr. Ed) will provide VSiN readers with daily picks during the 15-day Keeneland meet that opened last Friday and runs through Friday, April 29. Sehon’s selections are meant to give an overview of how to attack each day’s card through the use of Best Bets on individual horses as well as multi-race wagers (which are meant to give a more comprehensive look at the card, so feel free to pick-and-choose from the selections in those races and mix with your own handicapping). He generally tries to do it on a bankroll of (about) $100 a day, though will sometimes go higher on bigger days like he did on Blue Grass Stakes Day. On Wednesday, he had another winning day thanks to hitting a $121.10 Pick 3, so here’s his plays for Thursday:
Races Nos. 1-2 (1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT)
SPECIAL $4 DAILY DOUBLE (cost $16)
Race 1: #1 Duel Fuel/#1A Till Then (4-1 morning line) and #3 Higher Authority (3-1)
Race 2: #4 Hippie Trail (5-2) and #7 Dominicana (7-2).
Race No. 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT)
I like a $2 Exacta Box of #1 Lafitte’s Fleet (5-1 morning line), #3 Stage Left (5-2) and #6 Nottoway (2-1) Wager: $2 Exacta Box (cost $12).
Race No. 4 (2:36 p.m. ET/11:36 a.m. PT)
Mr. Ed likes #7 Lyrical Poet (2-1 morning line). “Speedy sprinter returns from break for masterful conditioner Wesley Ward, who also owns gelding. Son of super sire Kitten’s Joy, with Irad Ortiz Jr. riding, should have front to himself from start to finish. Poetry in motion. Wager: $20 to Win.”
Race No. 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT)
I like #4 Rhubarb Martini (8-1 morning line). “Pay attention. One of Mr. Ed’s favorite handicapping angles is to pick a horse who appeared to have talent, but failed to complete his last race. This guy was bet down to $2.80 on the dollar in March when he unseated his rider. Journeyman Declan Cannon gets leg up from hot trainer Eddie Kenneally. Look for Improvement on class drop. Stirred, not shaken. Wager: $5 to Win and Place.”
Races Nos. 6-9 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT)
Mr. Ed likes the following $.50 Pick 4 (cost $36)
Race 6: 2,3,4
Race 7: 1,7,8,9
Race 8: 3,6,7
Race 9: 2,4
Race No. 6 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT)
Mr. Ed likes #4 Fieldstone (5-1 morning line). “I’ve been waiting for another opportunity to back up-and-coming rider Adam Beschizza. Kid’s record (22-2-1-3) may not sit atop standings, but considering the depth of jockey colony and the claimers he’s been relegated to riding, Adam’s just OK with me. Trainer Joe Sharp retains him for this wide-open turf mile. Wager: $5 to Win and Place.”
Race No. 8 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:41 p.m. PT)
I like #3 Disappearing Act (3-1 morning line). “West Coast trainer Richard Baltas brings 5-year-old mare east for $120,O00 allowance turf marathon. Solid work up road at Churchill Downs and return of top jock Flavien Prat point to all-out effort. Mr. Ed is buying this gal’s act. Wager: $10 to Win.”
TOTAL WAGERS FOR WEDNESDAY: $114
TOTAL WAGERS THROUGH SATURDAY: $743
TOTAL MONEY CASHED: $839.10
TOTAL PROFIT: $96.10