Kentucky Derby Previews: Predictions for Races at Churchill Downs on Friday, May 2
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Mr. Ed's Churchill Downs Picks for Friday, May 2:
WAGERING ON ED: Yesterday, Thurby's average $2 win ticket returned barely (7 bucks, man). Riders Juan Hernandez and Jose Ortiz each scored a pair of winners. Cherie DeVaux's barn triumphed twice at the winner's circle. As for Mr. Ed, he scored two winners and landed a small exacta box to round off another solid day.
OAKS DAY AT CHURCHILL DOWNS: If the 1 1⁄4-mile Kentucky Derby is the swiftest two minutes in sports, then the shorter Kentucky Oaks is the quickest 1 1⁄8-mile for speedy young fillies. Standing tall are 14 sophomore fillies racing today at storied Churchill Downs, earning the roar of 150,000 excited fans. This occasion sets the stage for the $1.5 million G1 Oaks, which will precede ten preliminary races, featuring the best fillies and mares in racing. The exciting 13-race card kicks off at an early post of 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT. Weather: Turbulent, just like Mr. Ed's picks.
Mr. Ed's Selections at Churchill Downs for Friday, 05/02
Race 1 (11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT) - $127K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YO fillies going 1 1/16-mileEd goes double on: #3 SHRED THE GNAR ([5-2) AM odds], trained by Brian Lynch and ridden by Luis Saez, filly shrinks back after victory at a mile; and #4 CHASTEN ([2-1)], trained by Brad Cox with Florent Geroux aboard, as she adds Lasix.
Race 2 (11:29 a.m. ET/8:29 a.m. PT) - $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares, 3YOs & up going 1 1/16-mileTo finish the DD, I favor: #3 SAUCIER ([6-1) AM odds] for the Cox-Geroux squad and #9 SALTED ([3-1)], helmed by HOF trainer Mark Casse and jockey Irad Ortiz, returning from a win.
Race 3 (11:58 a.m. ET/8:58 a.m. PT) - $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & up going 11⁄8-mile on the turfI'm putting my money on #11 VIVALDI ([5-1) AM odds], trained by Chad Brown, with Flavien Prat behind the reins. Sounds like sweet music to my ears.
Race 4 (12:29 p.m. ET/9:29 a.m. PT) - $127K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YO fillies going 61⁄2 furlongsLongshot time: #10 FOIE GRAS ([6-1) AM odds], guided by Flavien Prat once more, trained by Steve Asmussen, and positioned favorably on the outside. Ed loves some rich, fatty flavor.
Race 5 (1:03 p.m. ET/10:03 a.m. PT) - G2 $600K EDGEWOOD STAKES for 3YO fillies going 1 1/16-mileEd has three: #2 VIXEN ([3-1)], with Irad Ortiz Jr. trying to repeat victories, #5 NITROGEN ([8-5] for four straight wins, and the intriguing #7 LUSH LIPS ([7-2], with Walsh and Prat paring up.
Race 6 (1:42 p.m. ET/10:42 a.m. PT) - G2 $750K ALYSHEBA STAKES for 4YO & Up going 1 1/16-mileI'm rolling with #3 HALL OF FAME ([4-1) odds], plotted to make a significant upset for HOF trainer Steve Asmussen and rider Joel Rosario. The last three 100+ speed figures are all the ammunition I need. Seems appropriate for a Hall of Fame winner.
Race 8 (3:12 p.m. ET/12:12 p.m. PT) - G3 $400K MODESTY STAKES for 4YO fillies going 11⁄8-mile on the turfI'm backing the finest: #7 SHE FEELS PRETTY ([6-5) AM odds], as my BEST BET OF THE DAY, with trainer Cherie DeVaux directing her efforts, who had a couple of winners yesterday. Filly has netted more than $1 million and will further enrich her pockets today.
Race 9 (4:07 p.m. ET/1:07 p.m. PT) - G2 $600K EIGHT BELLES STAKES for 3YO fillies going 7 furlongsEd chooses three: #9 BOURBON MEMORY ([8-1) AM odds], warmed by the burn of hot trainer Brendan Walsh, #10 IMPULSE BUY ([7-2] with the top jock Flavien Prat aboard, and #12 ECLATANT ([5-2], under the masterful command of Brad Cox.
Race 10 (4:51 p.m. ET/1:51 p.m. PT) - G3 $400K for fillies and mares 3YOs & up going 51⁄2 furlongs on the turfI'm riding with #4 AG BULLET ([8-5) odds], recording $1.3 million in winnings for West Coast-based trainer Richard Baltas, who keeps Umberto Rispoli in the saddle. Bullet readies, always ready to fire.
Race 11 (5:51 p.m. ET/2:51 p.m. PT) - G1 $1.5 Million KENTUCKY OAKS for 3 YO filliesI'm diving headfirst into the quirky trio: #2 SIMPLY JOKING ([10-1) odds], this new favorite conditioner Whit Beckman's big winner from yesterday, with undefeated #11 GOOD CHEER ([6-5)], and the outside threat of #14 QUIETSIDE ([8-1].
TOTAL WAGERS: $200
Hot tip: Don't miss Mr. Ed's Derby Day picks, which will be posted here on VSiN next.
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Enrichment Data:
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For Mr. Ed's Churchill Downs picks on Friday, May 2, 2022, I referenced Mr. Ed's handicapping expertise fromVerticalWager.com. Specific picks and insights for each race are attributed to Mr. Ed.
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- Mr. Ed's selections for Friday's racing at Churchill Downs were met with a modest return, with him scoring two winners and landing a small exacta box.
- The Kentucky Oaks, a 1 1⁄8-mile race for speedy young fillies, is set to take place today at Churchill Downs, featuring 14 sophomore fillies and a crowd of 150,000 excited fans.
- In Race 1 for 3YO fillies at Churchill Downs, Mr. Ed has opted for #3 SHRED THE GNAR and #4 CHASTEN, with odds of 5-2 and 2-1, respectively.
- In Race 5 for the EDGEWOOD STAKES, Mr. Ed has chosen three fillies: #2 VIXEN, #5 NITROGEN, and the intriguing #7 LUSH LIPS.
