They are back at it this afternoon at Churchill Downs for an 11-race card that certainly pales in comparison to last week’s slate, but still offers plenty of quality wagering opportunities, nonetheless. Hopefully, we can get a couple of these spot plays home over the back half of the card in Louisville and take advantage of the late Pick 5 Hit & Split at Aqueduct before the sun falls once again.
Race 7
Trainer Eddie Kenneally is off to a strong start to the spring meet having won with 3 of his 7 starters heading into Saturday afternoon. The veteran conditioner has a big chance to bag another victory with class dropper #7 Venik. The son of Maclean’s Music got off to a slow start in his debut in March at Colonial Downs and did not do much running from there, but that came against tougher company than he encounters today. The same is true of his race at Keeneland against high-level maiden claimers when he was down on the rail battling early over a racetrack that favored outside runners.
When Kenneally gets hot, he can keep it going for a couple of weeks without question. The move to the outside draw and decrease in competition hopefully lead him and Ben Curtis to the winner’s circle to kick off the late Pick 5.
Play: #7 Venik (8-1 ML)
Race 8:
Joe Sharp is not as hot as Eddie Kenneally over the first several days of the Churchill meet, but he has been on a roll since the calendar flipped to 2025. Sharp is clicking at 26% on the year with over 200 starters and two of those wins came in New Orleans from #5 St. Armands Key. The son of Lost Treasure was the recipient of two really good trips at Fair Grounds, but should get another one today in a race that is void of serious early zip. Jaime Torres is the one likely to take advantage. This 4YO gelding should be primed for a big effort regardless in his third start off the bench, but a pace advantage will make him that much tougher to get by.
Play: #5 St. Armands Key (4-1 ML)
Race 10: Mamzelle (G3)
In a day full of turf sprint stakes across the country, this 5.5-furlong dash for 3YO fillies offers up one of the best wagering opportunities. At least, if you are hoping to beat the top two finishers from last month’s Limestone. In that race over the good going, it was 5-2-ML favorite #9 Shisospicy going gate-to-wire with #6 Dreamaway following her around the Keeneland lawn. I am hopeful the race plays out differently today given some other speeds drawn to the outside.
#4 Kilwin (pictured) was bet hard in the aforementioned Limestone, but was caught wide throughout in her first start since the Breeders’ Cup. The Twirling Candy filly won her first two starts sprinting on the grass as a 2YO for a barn that rarely cranks their runners up at first or second asking proving there is clearly talent there. She moves inside this afternoon, has a start under her belt this year, and should offer far better value than she did last month.
Play: #4 Kilwin (8-1 ML)
.svg){kind=logo}
