Race 1
#2 Green Destiny
This looks like it could be a productive baby race moving forward. Some interesting pedigrees, and solid worktabs. I’ll put this filly on top here for Steve Asmussen. Her last two works, both out of the gate look swift. It is peculiar that she doesn’t have a listed work since June 4th. So I’m not sure what to make of that. But she had the standard six regular works up to that point. So she might be fit enough for this. They enlist Tyler Baze to ride, and he’s known as a decent gate rider. As always in these races, they break is critical.
#6 Frank’s Rockette
This is a Bill Mott firster. That’s not usually a specialty of Mott’s, especially this early in the year. But this has a great win early pedigree being by Into Mischief and out of an Indian Charlie mare. She only has four listed works, but they all look fairly quick. Mott’s runners here have Churchill have been doing fairly well. And he gets the meets hottest jockey Julien Leparoux to ride.
#5 Symphony Hall
This debut runner comes from the barn of David Fawkes. He’s an above average 26% with his two year olds. He’s also 30% in maiden special races. This horse also has solid works, including a 5F work which I think is important for these young horses. This horse is by the young sire Wicked Strong, and out of a Boston Harbor mare. Churchill stalwart Corey Lanerie will be aboard.
Race 2
#3 Data Driven
Steve Asmussen owns and trains this 7 year old. He’s comes off an okay second place finish against tougher last time out. I think he draws great in this race. The two main speeds are drawn just to his inside, so hopefully they battle each other, and this guy can run by them in the stretch. He’s proven to like this surface; one win and one second in two career races here. He has not been super effective at this distance however, just one win from 11 tries. But I’m hoping this race shape and class level help him today. Ricardo Santana in the irons.
#1 Restless Rambler
First off the claim here for trainer Bernie Flint. He’s had this horse in his barn before, so he’s definitely familiar with him. His last race was on the turf, I’ll draw a line through that because over the past year, it looks like this 6YO has shown a better preference for dirt. In fact, he’s been in the exact in all 13 lifetime tries on a fast main track. He also loves racing here beneath the Twinspires. He looks to be the speed of the speed, plus he draws the rail, so I’m expecting him to be sent from the start. Corey Lanerie rides, and he hits at 35% when he teams up with Flint.
Race 3
#3 Crypto
I am always willing to take a shot against a Wesley Ward 2YO if the situation is right. I do not see that situation here. I think this colt will be tough to beat. As we know, Ward is phenomenal with these types, and I don’t see a whole lot in this field that I really like. This horse has good, solid works; and the pedigree to match. He should do alright sprinting on the grass. Tyler Baze will be the pilot.
#9 Pickens
Another first timer here. This one from the barn of Steve Asmussen. This colt also has a nice win early, turf pedigree. He’s by Goldenscents out of an El Corredor mare. He shows a really fast gate work on the tab, so I’m expecting him to be quick early. Ricardo Santana in the irons.
#7 Peace Achieved
This Mark Casse trainee will be making career start number two. His first effort wasn’t bad at all. He finished 3rd in a field of seven. Casse is about 17% with second time starters. I do really value experience in a race like this, however, with this guy’s bloodlines, I ultimately think he wants to run further that 5.5F. Adam Beschizza rode in the debut, and he’s on again today.
Race 4
#1 Ladyofdragonstone
Not a real talented group here. I’ll put this filly on top, hoping that the cutback in distance will help her. The previous times she has tried a sprint distance was against tougher competition, so now that this is the level it looks like she needs, I think the shorter trip will help her. She draws the rail, which isn’t ideal here. But I’m hoping she’ll be able to sit close to the pace and find some running room in the stretch. Jordan Blair trains and Miguel Mena rides.
#10 Marie’s Mandate
This is probably the horse to beat, but she’ll be a pretty short price. She raced here just two weeks ago, and finished second in a field of twelve. That was also against tougher horses. She’s taking another drop in class today. They seem pretty intent on trying to get rid of her. They’ve dropped her each time she’s run. She looks to be about the only legit speed horse in here, so that will give her a tactical edge. Trainer Brad Cox is having a really nice meet. Jockey David Cohen is not, winning at just 3%.
#2 Michigan Miss
This filly hasn’t done much real running so far in her six starts. I’m willing to give her a chance to hit the board in here. I think she is one of the better closers (I use that term loosely here) in here, and she’s never been at a level quite this low. So I think this will be the weakest group she has faced thus far. Trainer Scooter Dickey is having a good meet with limited starters. Channing Hill will have the mount today.
Race 5
#2 Raising the Flag
This class dropper hails from the Mike Maker barn. He ran quite well against $40,000 claimers last time out. He’s also run pretty well here at Churchill in the past. He’s never been at a level this low, so I think his A game could be could enough to beat this group. He’s got tactical speed, and he’s also shown an ability to finish. I’ll think he’ll be tough to beat. Gabriel Saez gets aboard for the first time.
#6 Italian Charm
This guy’s coming off a nice win against $32,000 claimers. That race was first off the claim for Robertino Diodoro, and they also applied blinkers for that race. That seem to be a good combo. This horse has never finished out of the money on a fast main track. He looks to probably be one of the best closers in here, so I expect him to be rolling late. Adam Beschizza has ridden this gelding a handful of times in the past, so he’s familiar with the horse.
#4 US Marshal
This guy is probably the main speed factor in here. He set the pace last time out, albeit, just moderate fractions, but he hung on to get second in that race. This will be his second start for trainer Norman McKnight. McKnight is a very high percentage trainer, so this horse may show a little improvement in his second start under his care. This horse hasn’t won since 2017, and is just 4 for 41 lifetime. So I’m not sure I like him as a win candidate, but I think he can finish in the money.
Race 6
#6 Kitten’s Cat
It’s gonna be second off the layoff for this guy here today. He ran a flat fifth going 5.5F last time out. That was over a ‘good’ listed turf course, and if you look at his pp’s, I think he has a preference for firm turf. He has also been facing some very good horses in the past, some salty stakes caliber competition. So this a pretty significant drop in class today. Since this race is a mile, I expect him to be forwardly placed today. Gabriel Saez will ride for trainer Mike Maker.
#2 Cape Angel
This gelding hasn’t been seen in over six months. He seemed to fall a little out of form late last fall, so trainer Joe Sharp has given him some time off. Sharp is about 30% with this length of layoff, plus, this horse has run well fresh before. His last few races have been against tougher horses, so today could provide some class relief. He’s also two for three at the one mile distance. He figures to be coming from way downtown and rolling late in the stretch. Sharp’s main rider Adam Beschizza has the mount.
#3 Exemplar
I’m going to give this guy a look to hit the board. He hasn’t been on the turf in a long time, but he has some success on the grass. His past few races, haven’t been that bad. Sometimes when a horse gets up there in age, a surface switch can perk them up a little. Trainer David Vance hasn’t had a lot of success with that move recently, but he gets a hot rider in Julien Leparoux to be the pilot. They hit at 25% when they team up. Look for this guy to come from behind.
Race 7
#4 Oro de Tejano
This 3YO by Munnings has been very popular at the claim box. He’s been claimed 5 times in just 12 career races, most recently he was claimed by trainer Gregory Foley. He’s given him some time off, so he might be fresh today. His past few dirt tries have been decent enough to make him competitive in a spot like this. He’ll most likely be coming from behind, and he has proved to be effective at this distance. Foley is having a strong meet, and he employs Ricardo Santana to ride.
#1 Watch Me Whip
Not really sure what to make of this former stakes runner. That was two years ago in his 3YO season. After an 18 month absence he returned to a few months ago. By far his best races have come here at Churchill, so I think that will help him. And he didn’t run too badly going a one turn mile here last time, finishing second in a field of nine. He’s another one that doesn’t have a lot of early foot. But I think he’ll get a ground saving trip, and have a say in the outcome today. Dale Romans trains, his main man Robby Albarado rides.
#6 Croatian
Just go ahead and draw a line through his last race. Running on the turf just isn’t his thing. He came into the Chris Hartman barn over the winter at Oaklawn Park, and he ran a couple of good races there. His race two back would absolutely put him in the mix here. In fact, if he runs his A race, I think he’ll win. I’m just not sure if I can count on that. He has some real head scratchers on his past performances. That being said, he will be on my tickets for multi race wagers, and is still a use in my opinion. Channing Hill in the irons.
Race 8
#11 Wicked Indeed
This guy has faced some pretty nice runners so far. Including the likes of Owendale, War of Will, Mucho Gusto, etc. he’s been off since the first weekend in May, Asmussen is about 20% with this type of break. One main reason I like this horse in here is the cutback in distance. I think a mile and an eighth is just too far for him at this point. He broke his maiden on debut going 6F, so the distance today shouldn’t be an issue. I don’t love his post position since he figures to be coming from behind. So hopefully Ricardo Santana can work out a trip from out there.
#7 Super Comet
This John Oxley homebred was ultra impressive breaking his maiden at first asking here a few weeks ago. He was almost 10-1 in that spot, but he sat close to the pace and just powered away in the stretch. That race was also against older horses, and this race is restricted to just 3YOs, so I think that may even help him more. He’s definitely the least experienced horse in the race, so we might not even know what we’re dealing with yet. He might have a bright future. Shaun Bridgmohan in the saddle again.
#1 Where Paradise Lay
Another recent maiden breaker here. He’s raced four times so far, and never really run a bad race. He’s been working well out of that last effort, and training Stanley Hugh is hitting at 25% for the meet and for the year. This colt also has some early speed, and he’s drawn inside, so we’ll see if that forces their hand a little bit. Florent Geroux will be aboard for the first time.
Race 9
#2 Valycove
This guy has been off since racing on derby weekend. That wasn’t a real good effort, but that was against much tougher competition. His two turf races over the winter at Gulfstream Park would definitely make him a player in here. He’s drawn well down toward the inside, and I’ll think he’ll be able to sit close enough to work out a good trip from there. Chris Landeros has been aboard for his past few races, and he’s on today as well.
#9 Almoreb
We haven’t seen this guy since last November here at Churchill, so this will be his 5YO debut. When he’s right, he’s definitely good enough to win this. Plus, he’s ultra effective at this distance, five of six tries he’s finished in the exacta. He’s got a pretty solid work tab leading up to this, so I think he’ll be ready. He also projects to be able to sit close to the pace today. James Graham in the irons.
#10 Clear for Action
This colt will also be mixing it up in the early going. He draws outside, and should be sitting toward the front. He comes out of the same common race as my top pick in here, and this guy ran pretty well in that race. These connections are aggressive where they place their horses, and they’re not afraid of them potentially getting claimed. I think this one is live in this spot. Mike Maker trains, Corey Lanerie rides.