Churchill Downs Picks for Saturday, April 25:

SAY GOODBYE TO KEENELAND: The meet ended as a celebration of chalk with only a pair of final-day winners returning more than double-digits for a $2 Win ticket. The average payoff was $8.70. In the race for the meet’s leading trainer, Brad Cox finished on top with 17 winners. Special mention goes to Wesley Ward, who posted his 300th win at Keeneland. As for riders, Irad Ortiz Jr. led the jockey colony with 22 victories. Special mention goes to veteran HOFer Johnny Velazquez with 15 wins. Recapping the final day’s numbers, Johnny V. led all riders with three wins. As for trainers, not surprisingly, Brad Cox and Wesley Ward had a pair of winners apiece.

SAY HELLO TO CHURCHILL DOWNS: Let the Derby Week countdown begin. Opening Day’s 10-race card offers everything from maiden special weight contests, to claiming, to allowance to the $200K Race 9 Roxelana Stakes. Saturday’s first post is 12:45 p.m. ET/9;45 a.m. PT. Many of the same cast of characters from Keeneland (everyone knows their names) — Cox, Ward, Brown, the Bros Ortiz, Gaffalione and Prat — will be on hand at Churchill. And, Mr. Ed will return with his exclusive VSiN selections. While the tracks are expected to be FAST & FIRM, umbrellas may be the order of Opening Day, according to the Louisville weatherman.

Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs Selections for Saturday (4/25)

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Race 1 (12:45 p.m. ET/9:45 a.m. PT) — $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares, 3YOs going 1¼ miles 
Mr. Ed opens CD meet wagering with a pair in Leg 1 of a DD: #1 TOO MANY MIKES (8-1 morning line) for trainer Graham Motion with huge rider upgrade to Tyler Gaffalione while stretching coed out; and #3 ATI GIRL (3-1) for Bill Mott, who also switches riders to Irad Ortiz, Jr.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 1,3/1,7 ($20)

Race 2 (1:20 p.m. ET/10:20 a.m. PT) — $92K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 2YOs going 4½ furlongs
To complete the DD, Mr. Ed is backing #1 SARGENT BILKO (7-2 morning line) for Eddie Kenneally with Jose Ortiz up, or #7 UNCLE WITH MONEY (6-1) for Rey Hernandez with Luis Saez riding. Both are capable of breaking maiden status.

Race 3 (1:56 p.m. ET/10:56 a.m. PT) — $63K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going a mile
Mr. Ed’s chalky pick is #2 BARBRATINA (2-1 morning line) on the class drop for Joe Sharp with Irad Ortiz, Jr. returning after failing to break in last. Blinkers come off as Irad seeks to make amends. Move impresses Mr. Ed.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)

Race 4 (3:05 p.m. ET/12:05 p.m. PT) — $45K CLAIMING for 4YOs & Up going 6 furlongs 
In a competitive contest, Mr. Ed picks #5 LORD MAJESTY (5-2 morning line) with a huge rider upgrade to Tyler Gaffalione for sneaky smart trainer David Jacobson, ships the gelding to CD for class drop. Smooth move. Eight in-the-money finishes sign of consistency. 
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 to Win & Place. ($10)

Race 7 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT) — $1 Pick 4*
R7: 2,4,7
R8: 3,6
R9: 4,6
R10: 2,3,8 ($36)
*In the event of a scratch, the post-time favorite will serve as a substitute pick.

Race 7 (4:44 p.m. ET/1:44 p.m. PT) —  $78K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 4YOs & Up going a mile on the grass
Mr. Ed takes a shot on #2 SHEILA’S LION (6-1 morning line) for Keith Desormeaux, who brings capable Axel Concepcion back as rider upgrade. Winning move.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 to Win & Place. ($10)

Race 8 (5:15 pm ET/2:15 p.m. PT) —$36K CLAIMING For 3YOs & Up going 6 furlongs 
Mr. Ed likes #3 SHADOW COAST (7-2 morning line) for high-percentage trainer Rohan Crichton, who rehires Luis Saez to repeat earlier winning effort at CD.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 to Win & Place. ($10)

Race 9 (5:46 p.m. ET/2:46 p.m. PT) — $200K ROXELANA STAKES for fillies and mares, 4 YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed is betting on three: #4 LOTSANDLOTSOFCANDY (7-2 morning line) for Paul McGee with Brian Hernandez, Jr. in the saddle; #6 ZEITLOS (5-1) for Steve Asmussen, who brings back hot jock Jose Ortiz to ride, and #7 VINCEY GIRL (9-2) for Jose D’Angelo and leading rider Irad Ortiz, Jr.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win on #6 & $5 Exacta Box of 4,6,7 ($40)

TOTAL WAGERS: $146

SUNDAY AT CHURCHILL DOWNS: If you like a card full of low-quality maidens and claimers, you‘ll enjoy playing the lackluster Day 2 card in Louisville. There are better ways to spend an afternoon than trying to find winners on this program. But your humble horseplayer Mr. Ed dug deep and found a few money-making opportunities that he’s paid to share. Here’s the good news: The race cards will gradually get better during the coming week as anticipation grows for Oaks & Derby days next Friday and Saturday. First post Sunday is 12:45 p.m. ET/9:45 a.m. PT. Caution: There is an 80% chance of showers. FYI: Track is closed on Monday. Mr. Ed returns on Tuesday for the week through Derby Day.

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