Keeneland Horse Racing Picks and Predictions for Saturday, October 18

Keeneland Picks for Saturday, October 18:

TRACKING MR. ED: Top rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. led all jockeys and trainers with three wins, followed by low-key Francisco Arrieta with a pair of victories. No post time favorites were winners, as attested to by the average $2 Win ticket paying $14.31. Mr. Ed, coming off one of his best days of the meet on Thursday, had to wait till the finale to post a winner on Friday.

SATURDAY AT KEENELAND: Players are being treated to an excellent 10-race program from the bluegrass country with a pair of very competitive stakes topping the bill: R7 The $350K G3 PERRYVILLE STAKES for 3YOs, and R9 The $400K G2 RAVEN RUN STAKES for 3YO fillies. Sunny skies are expected with first post at 1:00 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections for the two stakes as well as several others on the 10-race card.

Mr. Ed’s Picks at Keeneland for Saturday (10/18)

Race 1 (1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT) — $37K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
In the first half of a Daily Double, Mr. Ed likes either #1 PLAY THE TRUMPET (4-1 morning) with Tyler Gaffalione riding for trainer Dave Jacobson, or #6 INDY MAGIC (3-1) for trainer Carlos David, dropping in second off claim, with Luis Saez on board.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $5 Daily Double: 1,6/9,11. ($20)

Race 2 (1:32 p.m. ET/10:32 a.m. PT) — $85K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 1 1/16-mile 
To win the DD, Mr. Ed’s betting on either #9 SECTION (8-1 morning line) for low-key trainer Fergus Bogle, who attracts Irad Ortiz, Jr. to ride, or #11 QUARRY (8-1) for excellent trainer Tom Drury with Tyler Gaffalione returning after a Show effort at Churchill Downs.

Race 3 (2:04 p.m. ET/11:04 a.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s pick is chalky #7 GLAM SLAM (9-5 morning line) for East Coast conditioner John Servis with leading rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. returning to saddle after a pair of Place finishes in first two MSW contests.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)

Race 4 (2:36 p.m. ET/11:36 a.m. PT) — $120K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile
I like the chances of #4 NECESSITY (5-2 morning line) for trainer Norm Casse, who brings Irad Ortiz, Jr. back to ride 3YO coed. She missed by a neck in longer return race. It’s necessary for her to be involved early.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win & $5 Exacta Boxes 5,9. ($30)

Race 5 (3:08 p.m. ET/12:08 p.m. PT) — $150K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & up going 5½ furlongs on the turf
I like gelding #10 NOBALS (3-1 morning line) for hot trainer Larry Rivelli, who brings low-profile jock Jareth Loveberry along for the ride. Tested against graded competition, it’s his time to enter the Winner’s Circle.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win & $5 Daily Double of 10/5. ($15)

Race 6 (3:40 p.m. ET/12:40 p.m. PT) — $350K G3 PERRYVILLE STAKES for 3YOs going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes the chalk play, #5 CAPTAIN COOK (6-5 morning line) off his last 103 speed figure, winning The G1 Jerkens at Saratoga. Pletcher trains, Irad Ortiz rides. ‘Nuf said! 
KEENELAND SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)

Race 7 (4:12 p.m. ET/1:12 p.m. PT) — $110K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YO fillies going 6 furlongs
I’m betting on sharp trainer Al Stall’s #8 SOLEMN VOW (3-1 morning line) with Tyler Gaffalione aboard the expensive, experienced filly. Mr. Ed’s willing to take a vow.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)

Races 8-10 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT) — $1 Pick 3
R8: 1,3,4,5,11
R9: 8,9,10,11
R10: 7,8,12 ($60)

Race 9 (5:16 p.m. ET/2:16 p.m. PT) — $400K G2 RAVEN RUN for 3YO fillies going 7 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s BIG STAKES PLAY OF THE DAY is #8 USHA (9-2 morning line), shipper from the West Coast for super trainer Bob Baffert. Never out of the money, coed’s assignment is to beat probable favorite #9 RAGTIME. With leading rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. recruited to ride my choice, it looks like a two-filly contest to Mr. Ed.
KEENELAND SELECTION: $20 to Win & $5 Exacta Box of 8&9. ($30)

TOTAL WAGERS: $195

SUNDAY AT KEENELAND: It’s a nine-race card with an assortment of allowance, claiming and maiden claiming contests. Word from the backstretch is rain (50% chance) on tap during the afternoon. Mr. Ed will return with his Keeneland Selections. Post time for first race is 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT.

NFL PICK OF WEEK (3-2)*
LA Rams -2.5
*(against the spread)

The post Keeneland Horse Racing Picks and Predictions for Saturday, October 18 appeared first on VSiN.