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Churchill Downs 6: Post: 3:18 ET
Win Play: 7-Password
Degree of Confidence: Strong
Underneath: 1-Spice Runner
Forecast: Password is a maiden after one start but shouldn’t be. Clearly best when second in a much troubled debut, the son of Uncle Mo overcame a disastrous start, a wide trip, and an extremely green performance when finishing fastest of all to be second, and with that bit of experience behind him, a much better draw, and an extra half furlong to work with the R. Brisset-trained colt should step forward big time. With F. Prat riding him back and at 7/2 on the morning line he’ll offer excellent wagering value in the win pool and in the various exotics in this year’s edition of the Bashford Manor Stakes for juveniles.
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Churchill Downs Race: 8. Post: 4:23 ET
Win Play: 2-Judge Miller (pictured)
Degree of Confidence: Very strong.
Underneath: none.
Forecast: Judge Miller, always most effective at a mile and especially so around one turn, returned off a long layoff and was highly impressive in winning a fast, productive allowance race at Santa Anita while probably not even totally cranked up. In the interim he has trained better than he ever has, so we’re expecting a career top performance from the M. Glatt-trained shipper in this year’s renewal of the Hanshin Stakes. With excellent tactical speed and am effective late turn of foot, the son of Curlin should be just where he wants to be when the pressure is turned on at the head of the lane. Let’s hope we can get close to his morning line of 6-1 on the tote.
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Churchill Downs 10: Post: 5:27 ET
Win Play: 2-Captain Cook (9/2)
Degree of Confidence: Strong.
Underneath: 10-Verifire.
Forecast: Captain Cook may have won at nine furlongs but we’re convinced he’s most comfortable around one turn and therefore expect the son of Practical Joke to regain his winning form in today’s Maxfield Stakes in this extended dash for sophomores. Beaten as the favorite in his last pair, most recently a close third in the 9F Peter Pan Stakes, the R. Dutrow-trained colt projects to settle into a cozy second flight position and then blast home from the quarter pole to the wire. Fast on numbers, she should outclass this field and looks quite attractive as a win play at anywhere near to his 9/2 morning line.
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Churchill Downs Race 12: Post: 5:58 ET
Win Play: 7-Merry Madison
Degree of Confidence: Good.
Underneath: 2-Toolatebabydoll (Fr).
Forecast: Merry Madison was given a very easy outing in her debut sprinting when winding up a distant fourth in a hot race (was never knocked about and was allowed to coast home) and today should be much more serious when stretching out and switching to grass for a barn that has solid stats with the second time starter angle. By City of Light from a two-turn stakes winning Vronsky mare, she should improve a ton under these conditions in a maiden race that clearly contains no world beaters. With hot riding J. Ortiz staying aboard, she presents an excellent win and rolling extic gamble at 5-1 on the morning line.
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