Looks like a nice early evening card this evening at Churchill. It might be a little chillier than usual that should be good for the horses and hopefully good for the bettors.
Let’s take a look at some winning possibilities.
Race 1
7-5-9
7- Our Secret Agent- this well bred first timer goes out for Casse and looks to strike in the opener. The workouts on May 17 at Keeneland and June 1 at Keeneland were amazing and she should show very good speed at this abbreviated distance.
5- Vestal- if you’ve been following me you know I like this combination of Connections. They have done well for me this year and this one looks like she is ready to go at first asking, her recent gate work was phenomenal and she should show her presents tonight.
9- Collude – ran a nice first race at Churchill on May 16 but got smoked by perfect alibi. You will notice that she was two links in front of the third-place finisher meaning to me that she has some talent and obviously some early speed.
Race 2
2-6-9
2- Crawford – you might get a bit of value on this five-year-old offer shortly off for a trainer that can hit with the drop-down. He races for almost half of his purchase price mid April at Oaklawn. They are obviously trying to get some of that money back and get back to quality races.
6- Day Dreamer – this guy’s been in the money three times out of four at Churchhill and four times out of six at this distance. It’s been hot in the claiming market and now gets back to a distance he should like it should be coming home quickly down that long stretch.
9- You’re Killin Me -Yes I have yelled this at many a horse in my day. This quality trainer drops him down to below the purchase price trying to get a quick score as he has done well at the distance but hasn’t had great trips here at Churchill.
Race 3
2-3-4
2- Knights Cross – I really like this colt tonight. Should finally get back to a fast track after racing three in a row on either good turf or off tracks. Look for him to take the early lead in moderate fractions and hold on down the stretch.
3- Wings Up – Claimed out of his last I’m looking for a similar to the March 7 at Fairgrounds in his second over a distance came home nicely and won easily. The connections have been having a bit of a slow. Recently but this guy comes in off some nice works and looks ready to roll.
4- Artemus Bridge – he will also show some speed out of the gate as he did and his two winning efforts. He is never finished off the board and looks to continue that trend this evening.
Race 4
8-3-7
8- Encore Kitten – at first glance most will only see that she finished ninth of 12 in her first and only race. When you look closer you’ll notice that her speed figure was more than comparable with the rest in this easier field you’ll also notice that the trainer does well switching to maiden claiming with this type of horse and a layoff.
3- St. Louise – A bit of a shot here but I think this daughter of Curlin could make her presence felt. The trainer is 26% second off layoff which is a stat that jumped out here in this fairly weak field.
7- Macho Orb – I know she is run five times on the turf and not one but I think she’s well-suited here off the layoff. She is going up and down in class and always seems to end on the fringes which I feel she will do this evening. There’s obviously some talent and she should break through sooner rather than later.
Race 5
3-2-8
3- Turner Time- his past seven races have been great! Super consistency with speed figures for a nice jockey trainer combination. The extra half furlong should play well as he usually sits just off the pace and pounces late.
2- Brerry- very similar speed figures as my top pack and seems to like the distance and Churchill. You’ll notice that there are a lot of horses in this race that of all raced against each other recently and they take turns being in the money.
8- Niigon’s Glory- another the race is mostly against the regular crew here and is fared very well over his last three. Very successful connections and noticed that the trainer also owns this Canadian bred nine-year-old.
Race 6
4-2-3
4- Aife – Looks like a good claim out of the May 11th race at Churchill for a trainer that does very well with this angle. Her speed figures work well against this group and she has had two wins out of four starts on this track and six in the money place things out of eight races at the distance.
2- Graceful Princess- Lightly raised Tapit Filly, seems to really pick her spots when she wants to race. She is trained very well for this outing and could show up and take it all. Unbelievable breeding and will obviously make a very valuable broodmare.
3- Harmony victory. – comes in from California for a high percentage trainer and quality Jock. Always seems to be in it and will need a race similar to her October Santa Anita outing.
Race 7
2-6-5
2- Fort Fortitude – it looks like you’ll have to run faster than a 90 speed figure to beat him today. Last three races have been very good but is always played the bridesmaid. It seems he can relax just off the pace on the turf which I feel will be beneficial this evening.
6- Sir Navigator – this guy knows how to win any now races for a high percentage out fit off the claim. His two races off a very long layoff were great showing progression in each.
5- Dragon Drew – third off the layoff for this for-year-old the comes in here off a great May 16 race which some flying at the end and losing only by one length. Has had some nice workouts in between and you should be watching him fly at the end.
Race 8
6-11-5-9-12
6- Solomonic – another that is the third off a layoff for very high quality connections that know how to win. If he runs the same race as he did in his last outing he’ll be right there at the end as I feel this field is easier than his last race. Will probably go off at the favourite and we will be loading up if we get at least 5-2.
11- Palmers way – not sure what happened in his last outing but he drops down big-time for successful trainer lynch. You will notice That he came off a two year lease off for his last was bad and now drops down. Also notice the 38% hit rate for the trainer going maiden special weight to maiden claiming.
5- Unveiling- I think this guy was supposed to be some thing as he has strong family connections and goes out for a strong stable and trainer. A drop-down adding blinkers a fast track are all things to consider for this second off the shelf.
9- Campaign spy – his last two races would be competitive here and comes in off some nice works and should demand some value to round out your vertical wagers.
12- Illume – this guy should be a longshot in the final race of the evening. They paid big bucks for this guy and now comes in for a new trainer that has worked him very well leading into this and shows great statistics for switching to meet in claiming and using Lasix for the first time. Could be a bomb in your vertical or horizontal wagers.
Good luck, giddyup and let’s go raptors!!!
@shawn55murphy