Mr. Ed’s Churchill Downs Picks for Friday, June 6:

TRACKING MR. ED: Talk about stiff competition: On the second day of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga, ten different trainers and nine different riders won the ten different races. The only jockey to win a pair of races was Flavien Prat (races 5 and 6). In all his years of race-going and handicapping, Mr. Ed can only recall a few instances of this phenomenon. It is a testament to the fierce level of competition at the special five-day meet. Thanks mostly to a pair of big upsets, the average $2 win ticket returned a healthy $17.10. On to today’s 14-race car, which begins at 11.40 a.m. ET/8:40 a.m. PT. and concludes nearly eight hours later. Unfortunately, there is an 80% chance of precipitation. So, be sure to bring your rain gear. Finally, after two dismal days of poor results, Mr. Ed is prepared to deliver winners over the final three days at the Spa. Here are Mr. Ed’s exclusive selections.

Mr. Ed’s Saratoga Selections for Friday, June 6

Race 1 (11:40 a.m. ET/8:40 a.m. PT) —$95K ALLOWANCE for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs 
Mr. Ed likes #6 MUNNINGS EXPRESS (5-2 morning line) for savvy horsewoman Linda Rice, who taps go-to rider Jose Lezcano, and #10 BELLACOSE (6-1) for the powerful team of Wesley Ward and HOFer Johnny Velazquez. I like either one.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Daily Double, 6,10/6,11. ($20)

Race 2 (12:16 p.m. ET/9:16 a.m. PT) — $100K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies & mares, 3YOs & up going 7 furlongs
I like second-time starter #6 SURPRISE (6-1 morning line) for top trainer Brian Cox, or first-time starter #11 RESURGE (4-1) for HOF trainer Bill Mott to seal the double deal.

Race 3 (12:52 p.m. ET/9:52 a.m. PT) — $115K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3 YOs & up going 5½ furlongs on turf
Three for the money: #3 WORKS FOR ME (8-5 morning line) with Flavien Prat returning to saddle; #4 RUN CURTIS RUN (6-1) with Joel Rosario riding, and #5 URBAN LEGEND (5-1), ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 3,4,5. ($30).

Race 7 (3:16 p.m. ET/12:13 p.m. PT) — $110K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mile on turf
Mr. Ed’s LONGSHOT OF THE DAY is a pure hunch play on Irish-bred #6 BIG BEAUTIFUL (12-1 morning line), trained by Tony Dutrow and ridden by Javier Castellano. Returned with a win and followed it with speedy bullet work.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)

Race 9 (4:28 p.m. ET/1:28 p.m. PT) — $500K G1 OGDEN PHIPPS STAKES for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up going 1⅛-mile
Mr. Ed likes a trio: #3 LESLIE’S ROSE (7-2 morning line) for Todd Pletcher and Irad Ortiz, Jr.; #5 CANDIED (3-1) with Pletcher and Manny Franco up, and #7 RANDOMIZED (9-2) for Chad Brown, who retains Joel Rosario. Any two will do.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)

Race 11-13 (5:46 p.m. ET/2:46 p.m. PT) — $2 PICK 3
R11: 3,4
R12: 6,8
R13: 5,8,9 ($24)

Race 13 (7:04 p.m. ET/4:07 p.m. PT) — $500K G1 JUST A GAME STAKES  for fillies and mares, 4YOs & up
Mr. Ed’s Friday finale bet: #5 KEHOE BEACH (9-2 morning line) for Wesley Ward with Irad Ortiz, Jr.; #8 EXCELLENT TRUTH (5-2) Irish-bred gal from Chad Brown barn with Flavien Prat, and #9 CHOISYA (4-1) British-bred mare for Simon Crisford who changes riders to Luis Saez. International flavor to the finale.
SARATOGA SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)

TOTAL WAGERS: $154

BELMONT STAKES DAY AT THE SPA: In the opinion of this aging handicapper, there are only six great events in horse racing each year: two days of the Breeders’ Cup, the Travers, Kentucky Derby, Preakness and the Belmont (at Saratoga, too). While this year’s Belmont Stakes might be short on dramatic expectations, several of the seven graded stakes on the undercard look to be thrilling events. Mr. Ed is busy putting the final touches on his selections (most late in the card), which will be posted here this evening. Unfortunately, rain is in the forecast, so handicap accordingly. Post time for the $2 million G1 Belmont Stakes (Race 13) is 7:04 p.m. ET/4:07 p.m. PT. The 14-race program kicks off at 10:45 a.m. ET/7:45 a.m. PT. And remember, a bad, rainy day at the track beats a good sunny day anywhere else.

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