MR. ED’S KENTUCKY DERBY DOZEN: Here are the 13 horses (in no particular order) who remain on Mr. Ed’s short list to Run for the Roses on May 2nd: Canaletto,* Brant*, Nearly, Paladin, Class President, Commandment, Hulkamania*, Litmus Test, Renegade, Further Ado*, Talkin*, Powershift* and So Happy*. 

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(*entered to start today)

TAMPA BAY DOWNS DERBY DAY: There’s no better place for horseplayers and handicappers to bet on Saturday than Tampa Bay Downs. Ditto for top East Coast trainers and riders. For example, top jockey Flavien Prat is on hand and listed to ride in 10 of the 12 races, including the Derby. Mr. Ed’s willing to bet Prat may very well win at least half of those dozen. I’ll track his performance and report back results next week. Saturday’s 12-race card goes to post at 12:15 p.m. ET/9:15 a.m. PT with the R11 Derby scheduled to start at 5:35 p.m. ET/2:35 p.m. PT. Here are Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN picks.

Mr. Ed’s Selections for Tampa Bay Downs, Saturday (3/07)

Race 1  — $25K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 4YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes a pair in the first leg of DD: #4 MAMA DRAMA (3-1 morning line), for sharp trainer Gerald Bennett with popular local jock Samy Camacho, and #5 MONA L (7-5) for excellent trainer Juan Arriagada with Antonio Gallardo in irons. A pair of tough ladies.
TAMPA BAY DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 4,5/1,6. ($20)

Race 2 (12:45 p.m. ET/9:45 a.m. PT) — $60K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs going 7 furlongs
I’m betting on either of two: #1 MAYKOMOTION (4-1 morning line) for George Weaver barn with Johnny V. picking up mount, and #6 RESOLUTE WILL (3-1) for the powerful combo of Chad Brown and Flavien Prat. Either will do.

Race 3 (1:27 p.m. ET/10:27 a.m. PT) — $70K HANDICAP for fillies and mares, 4YOs & Up going 7 furlongs
Lots to like about fast filly #5 MYSTIC LAKE (3-5 morning line) for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. with Flavien Prat who retains mount. Millionaire daughter of Mo Town is one tough cookie. Mr. Ed loves this one.
TAMPA BAY DOWNS SELECTION: $10 Daily Double of 5/2. ($10)

Race 4 (1:56 p.m. ET/10:56 a.m. PT) — $125K G3 CHALLENGER STAKES for 4YOs going 1 1/16-mile
Mr. Ed likes speedy #2 DISCO TIME (3-5 morning line) for tip-top trainer Brad Cox with top rider Flavien Prat returning to complete chalky Daily Double.

Race 5 (2:26 p.m. ET/11:26 a.m. PT) — $60K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 4YOs & Up going 1⅛-mile on the grass
Bet #3 PORTFOLIO DURATION (7-5 morning line) and never look back. British-bred, Tampa-based filly prepared to wire the field. Gal may never look back with Prat on board.
TAMPA BAY DOWNS SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)

Race 7 (3:27 p.m. ET/12:27 p.m. PT) — $125K COLUMBIA STAKES for 3YOs going 7 furlongs 
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #2 PROTON (3-1 morning line) for popular trainer Graham Motion with Johnny V. riding; #3 CONGRESSIONAL (4-1) for Miguel Clement and Flavien Prat, and #5 ALPYLAND (9-5) for Mark Casse and HOFer Javier Castellano. As easy as 2-3-5.
TAMPA BAY DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)

Race 9 (4:29 p.m. ET/1:29 p.m. PT) — $.50 Pick 4*
R9: 4,6,8
R10: 3,5,7,9
R11: 4,5,9
R12: 8,10,11 ($54)
*In the event of a scratch, the post-time favorite is the substitute pick.

Race 11 (5:35 p.m. ET/2:35 p.m. PT) — $400K G3 TAMPA BAY DERBY for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mile 
Mr. Ed likes #9 CANALETTO (5-2 morning line) with Flavien Prat for Chad Brown, over/under #4 HULKAMANIA (20-1) for excellent trainer Whit Beckman; and maiden #5 POWERSHIFT (7-2) for HOFers Todd Pletcher and Johnny Velazquez.
TAMPA BAY DOWNS SELECTION: $10 Exacta Box of 9/4,5. ($40)

TOTAL WAGERS: $184

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