The Late Pick 4 pool at Churchill Downs last Friday exceeded $87,000. With 38 entries, four different trainers and jockeys won races. It could be more of the same this Friday, May 23, with large, competitive fields that shape up this way:
CD 6th race (3:18 p.m. EST) -- They’re coming from all parts of the country for this $127,000 entry-level allowance at one mile. SHOPPER’S REVENGE returns to his preferred surface and just missed a wire-to-wire victory in the same spot at Churchill Downs a year ago. TOUR PLAYER, an easy maiden winner here in the fall, returns to the barn of trainer Bob Baffert off a strong workout tab. MAP TO THE STARS is a consistent mid-80 Beyer type but goes beyond 7F for the first time. PALM TREE posted the top speed figure of his career to win off the claim, then just missed in a repeat try as the favorite. GAMBLERS TAIL seeks his third winning rally in a row. SHOW OF FORCE dueled a long way in a Grade III turf stakes at this distance, but must show more on the main track as he gets Lasix for his seasonal debut. Go deep in the opening leg.
CD 7th race (3:50 p.m. EST) -- With plenty of speed to the inside and out in this $80,000 optional claiming race, I’ll go with three runners likely to come from off the pace and enhance their $364,780 combined 6F bankroll. CAT ON TIME overcame troubled breaks and roared home for back-to-back victories in his first two sprint attempts since the first two starts of his career. He passed by TWO EAGLES RIVERS, who came back to win a $50,000 claimer and remains a threat off the claim despite an 0-for-10 record in 2X allowance company. ATTACHE is a model of consistency and a low-90 Beyer type at Churchill Downs, where he stands 4-for-8 with nearly a quarter million in earnings. He can also rate but was locked in a front-end duel last out at Oaklawn Park, where he finished between a trio of late runners in second.
CD 8th race (4:22 p.m. EST) -- CROWN IMPERIAL and BLING were separated by 1-1/4 lengths when they finished behind repeat Grade III winner Queen Maximus (6-9, $448k) in the Unbridled Sidney Stakes on Kentucky Oaks Day. CROWN IMPERIAL ‘fought on under a long drive’ to finish second, earning top billing today. The ever-improving PAYNT YA LATER sprung a 13-1 allowance upset in her first turf test, holding off a trio of deep closers. She’s versatile enough to track from just off the pace and good enough to use on the ticket at a good price again.
CD 9th race (4:55 p.m. EST) -- METATRON’S MUSE takes a confident class hike after he ran away from the favorite to win in a one-mile race locally that produced 0-for-6 follow-ups. WINSTON WOLF was at his best at Churchill Downs as a 4-year-old last fall. He starts fresh off the claim with a pair of encouraging breezes. FIRST STRIKE’S 3-wide rally was disrupted when the winner came across and forced him to steady in his lone start on conventional dirt at Churchill Downs last fall. He hit his best stride with an easy win and a near miss from post 12 at Turfway Park, now returns to Churchill for his cheapest claiming tag. CAROLO RAPIDO seeks a repeat victory for trainer Eddie Kennealy, who won races at Keeneland, Fair Grounds, Hawthorne and Turfway Park from the last 14 horses he claimed.
Suggested 50-Cent Ticket
CD 6th Race: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9
CD 7th Race: 5, 6, 8
CD 8th Race: 2, 6
CD 9th Race: 2, 3, 4, 6
Cost: $84
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