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Race 1

1^st #7 Skamania is a competitive filly dropping for half of what she was running for last out at Oaklawn.  She also only lost by three lengths, so I would say it was a good run.  She’s usually competitive wherever she goes.

2^nd #6 Figure It Out is the talented Paynter filly who looks like she was a steal of a deal when claimed for $35K in New York.  Coming off of a win, and some time off, she should be competitive in this spot.  

3^rd #4 Diamond Crazy won three in a row, and last out broke that streak which is a bummer.  It is not like her to lose as the heavy chalk, but we all have our bad days.  She loves the Fairgrounds a lot, so I wonder how the track change will affect her.

Race 2

1^st #5 Crush It switches trainers, tries a new track, and gets the blinkers on.  I feel like this will be a successful change for him, he has also won four races out of twenty-one races.

2^nd #4 Here’s Carlos has hit the board quite often at Churchill, already has an out this meet and ran well.  Some of his other races are quite questionable, but yet he’s been popular in the claiming box in his recent starts also.

3^rd #1 Strong Yen last out won when he dropped in class, and his connections want to protect him here as he isn’t in for the tag.  Winning two in a row would be tough, but it could be done.

Race 3

1^st #2 Yes I See comes from Gulfstream West, and has done pretty well at Churchill before.  He’s dropping in class and getting a trainer’s change so that should help him out, especially since he likes the track.

2^nd #12 Rocko’s Wheel drops in class, comes from Oaklawn after a very disappointing effort, and this is the second time he’s ran here.  His better days are definitely behind him, but he is still capable of winning.

3^rd #6 Zanesville has the same story as Rocko’s Wheel.  Hoping this spot will be a better fit for him, and he can rebound on a disappointing effort.

Race 4

1^st #9 Ginseng is trained by Brad Cox, who does really well here.  Lots of second place finishes, coming from the Fairgrounds, and loves the turf.  Florent Geroux is riding, who happens to be one of Cox’s top riders.

2^nd #10 Hey Kitten is coming from Florida and has been running in some tough races.  This spot is a bit easier, she ran in a graded race two back.  She was a $95K purchase at the OBS sale, dam was nice too.

3^rd #8 Omnia has only been on the board one other time besides her win from six starts, which isn’t super positive.  But she has a chance to hit the board, I would like to see her drop in class just a bit more.

Race 5

1^st #3 Paris Lights has ran once, a respectable third place, and she gets the same jockey as she had in her first race (Tyler Gaffalione is riding well at this meet) .  A homebred for WinStar Farm.

2^nd #8 Glamour Girl was an impressive one to watch at Oaklawn.  Lots of good efforts with Kelsi Harr, I thought they clicked really well so it’s a bummer she didn’t follow here.  Consistently trying, which I like.

3^rd #9 Jeweled Princess was a pretty spendy filly ($160K) and hasn’t shown all that much in her five races.   She’s coming from Gulfstream also, and is trained by Ken McPeek.

Race 6

1^st Hoping #13 Cold Hearted Wench draws in, because her last race was an improvement.  The class drop helped her and she gets another drop here.  The daughter of Lookin at Lucky has two races under her belt.

2^nd #11 Every Single Day has some potential, two races here and two second place finishes.  Was an expensive purchase and was claimed away for $30K so kind of a money pit, and was then claimed again for reasons I cannot figure out.

3^rd #8 Azlynn’s Dreamer finished second last out for $12,500, but Oaklawn is still tougher than Churchill, so I think she’ll be okay in this spot.  

Race 7

1^st #1 Yamano Maker (JPN) drops in class, and this is his second race off almost a nine month layoff.  Bill Mott is having a great meet, and once this horse gets going, he can be quite nice.

2^nd #9 Reelfoot could have some talent for trainer Steve Asmussen, broke his maiden at the spring meet at Oaklawn and was claimed from Diodoro.  His last race was pretty tough, he was beaten by nine lengths.  

3^rd #10 Connection seemed to like Oaklawn once he dropped in class.  He just won last out, was an expensive $260,000 purchase, and came from California for John Sadler.  He is by Twirling Candy.

Race 8

1^st #2 Witez already has earnings of over $137K in only six races which is very impressive.  She’s bred well, and has held her own in graded stakes company already.  This is her race to win.

2^nd #3 Ella Brilla is yet to be off the board in her four starts, so she will be tough too.  Quite a bit of time between several of her races can be a concern, but she’s in good hands with Brian Lynch, and bred so well.

3^rd #12 Audrey’s Time is coming out of a stakes race at the Fairgrounds, and has had some time off, so she should be fresh here, but I don’t think the company she’s facing here will go any easier on her than in the stakes.

Race 9

1^st #2 Royal Flag is the one to beat for sure coming off of the impressive wins she has.  She wins in a dominant fashion, but a lot of Chad Brown horses do.  

2^nd #7 Saracosa will be tough too, coming from graded races at Oaklawn.  She’s only won two races, but she always puts in a solid effort no matter who she goes against. 

3^rd #5 Razeena has become consistent with time and has improved since coming to Brad Cox’s barn.  I think this field will be tough for her, but she has a chance also.

Race 10

1^st #1 Freedom’s Flight looks good here, coming from Florida, usually on the board.  Has ran once here before, and finished second.  

2^nd #4 Win D’Oro was an expensive $650,000 purchase and has hardly shown anything in his races.  His last race he only lost by a length, so maybe he is finally getting it figured out.

3^rd #7 Vasariano is bred so well, and gets a new trainer.  Has not tried this track before, and even faced Nadal in his first race.  Could finally get it figured out here.