Churchill Downs Picks for May 31:

TRACKING MR. ED: The mutuels ceasefire, negotiated after Friday’s bombing of the windows at Churchill Downs (see Mr. Ed’s Saturday comments), held overnight. Witness the parade of chalk yesterday, with an average $2 win ticket returning a paltry $7.18 (shortest price in recent memory). Fan favorite jockey Flavien Prat led all riders with three wins, while bros. Irad Ortiz Jr. and Jose each had a pair. As for conditioners, leading trainer Brad Cox and charismatic Bob Baffert had two wins apiece. And Mr. Ed bounced back from his rare winless day on Friday. Looking ahead to Sunday, first post is at 12:45 p.m. ET/9:45 a.m. PT. Cloudy skies with a high in the mid-70s are forecast. Tracks are expected to be FAST & FIRM. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN picks.

Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs Picks for Sunday, 5/31

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Race 1 (12:45 p.m. ET/9:45 a.m. PT) — $50K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed has an early DD beginning with speedy #1 MORODER (4-1 morning line), who ships in from Thistle Downs for trainer Timothy Hamm with a big jockey upgrade to Irad Ortiz, Jr., and #4 SHADOW COAST (5-2) for excellent trainer Rohan Crichton with Luis Saez returning to ride. Class drop can’t hurt.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 1,4/1,3. ($20)

Race 2 (1:15 p.m. ET/10:15 a.m. PT) — $62K CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going a mile
To wrap up a successful DD, Mr. Ed’s betting on either #1 QUINN’S PROMISE (9-5 morning line) for veteran KY trainer Dale Roman and rail-running rider Corey Lanerie, or #3 DON’T BE SALTY (3-1) for conditioner Joe Sharp, who adds blinkers and top jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr.

Race 3 (1:44 p.m. ET/10:44 a.m. PT) — $36K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile 
Mr. Ed’s longshot of the day is #1 HARDTOBLAME (8-1 morning line) with Johan Rosado riding for trainer Steve Asmussen, who recently claimed the underachieving gelding. Never underestimate Asmussen to be on the winning side of a deal.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)

Race 4 (2:14 p.m. ET/11:14 a.m. PT) — $55K CLAIMING for 4YOs & up going 6 furlongs 
Mr. Ed plays a trio: #2 LORD MAJESTY (5-2 morning line) for trainer Carlos David and under-rated rider Amir Mendoza; #6 RAISING KANE (12-1) for Steve and Keith Asmussen, and #7 BEBEDOURO (3-1) for the team of trainer Joe Sharp and Tyler Gaffalione. 
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 2,6,7 ($30)

Race 5 (2:46 p.m. ET/11:46 a.m. PT) — $62K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going a mile
Expensive, gelded son of Omaha Beach, #3 ADMIRAL HALL (9-2 morning line), is Mr. Ed’s play. Trained by David Jacobson and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, all the underachiever needs to do to win is to avoid traffic.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)

Race 7 (3:51 p.m. ET/12:51 p.m. PT) — $141K ALLOWANCE for 3YO fillies going 5½ furlongs on the turf
Mr. Ed’s pick is Irish-bred speedy #6 SAPPHIRE BEACH (5-2 morning line) for savvy horseman Rusty Arnold with Jose Ortiz returning to ride. Gal may never look back.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)

Race 8 (4:23 p.m. ET/1:23 p.m. PT) — $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & up going 6½ furlongs
Special longshot play for followers of Mr. Ed: #3 IMPRACTICAL (15-1 morning line) for favorite up-and-coming trainer Whit Beckman with Axel Concepcion returning to ride. Nothing impractical about longshot winner.
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $5 to Win, Place & Show. ($15)

Race 9 (4:56 p.m. ET/1:56 p.m. PT) — $127K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs going a mile
Mr. Ed’s final play is #4 REBEL INSTINCT (3-1 morning line) for the powerful trainer-jockey team of Brad Cox and Irad Ortiz, Jr. First-time Lasix is all the late-blooming colt needs to repeat mile win. 
CHURCHILL DOWNS SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)

TOTAL WAGERS: $130 

ON TO BELMONT WEEK AT SARATOGA: The five-day Belmont Racing Festival kicks off on Wednesday; climaxes on Saturday with the Belmont Stakes, and concludes next Sunday at the historic Upstate NY racing venue. Mr. Ed, longtime Saratoga patron and frequent Belmont Stakes attendee, is poised to have his most productive handicapping week of 2026. Beginning Wednesday, be sure to check in here each of the five days for his exclusive VSiN selections.

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