Churchill Downs Picks: Opening Day

The Kentucky Derby is a week away. Check out our opening day Churchill Downs picks and get a leg up on the track profile before the big day.

Full Card Selections

Bet all of today’s selections with signup bonuses and promotions at BetOnline.

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 6:00 PM ET, $32k Claiming, 7 f on dirt, 8 Entries

• #5 SPYCRAFT (5-2): Major player, dangerous threat on the front end, solid recent form.
• #7 LEADER OF MEN (2-1): Top selection, well-timed runner in second tier, competitive.
• #2 ONE FOR RICHIE (5-1): Consider for competitive spots, proven conditions.
• #8 SHORTLIST (7-2): Competitive, good bet to hit the board.

Selections: 5 – 7 – 2 – 8

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 6:28 PM ET, $31k Claiming, 1 m on dirt, 8 Entries

• #6 BARNABY (5-2): Top selection, shouldn’t have trouble with the distance.
• #8 ONEPARTICULRHARBOR (7-2): Competitive, runs good enough to beat this group.
• #7 HASKELLED (5-1): Consider for underneath positions, class of the field.
• #3 BEER WITH ICE (4-1): Consider for underneath positions, Hartman/Geroux combination.

Selections: 6 – 8 – 7 – 3

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 6:56 PM ET, $54k Starter Allowance, 6 f on dirt, 7 Entries

• #3 THESTRAL (4-1): Top selection, consistent pace figures.
• #2 LITTLE BLAZE (3-1): Fringe contender, makes sense on speed figures.
• #7 PIONEER PARADE (6-1): Consider for underneath positions, running against decent company.
• #4 CLASSIC PERFORMER (5-1): Consider for competitive spots, consistent pace figures.

Selections: 3 – 2 – 7 – 4

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 8:00 PM ET, $134k Allowance Optional Claiming, 5 f on turf, 17 Entries

• #9 OUTADORE (7-5): Top selection, tactical speed, running against decent company. Bet today’s best Best Bet at BetUS.
• #3 CAROTARI (4-1): Major player, likely to be in the first flight of runners.
• #6 ZOOMBIE (15-1): Price horse with a shot, part of the early pace.
• #7 COUNTERSTRIKE (6-1): Fringe contender, likely to get the right setup.

Selections: 9 – 3 – 6 – 7

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 8:32 PM ET, $68k Claiming, 6 1/2 f on dirt, 8 Entries

• #5 CRAFTED (4-1): Top selection, makes sense on speed figures.
• #2 BLEDSOE (3-1): Major player, Ward/Hargrove combination.
• #6 CHRYSO ALOGO (5-2): Major player, likely to be in the mix.
• #7 NOTORIOUS SIXOHTWO (6-1): Fringe contender, runs good enough to beat this group.

Selections: 5 – 2 – 6 – 7

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 9:05 PM ET, $30k Maiden Claiming, 1 1/16 m on dirt, 10 Entries

• #7 CASHMEUP (3-1): Top selection, good closing kick, solid early pace figures.
• #2 BATTLE BORN (8-1): Fringe contender, solid early pace figures.
• #1 COAL BOSS (4-1): Consider for competitive spots, makes sense on speed figures.
• #10 FALCON QUEST (7-2): Consider for underneath positions, solid recent form.

Selections: 7 – 2 – 1 – 10

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 9:40 PM ET, $127k Allowance, 1 1/16 m on turf, 15 Entries

• #4 HOLA GATA (2-1): Top selection, well-timed runner, shouldn’t have trouble with the distance.
• #14 KALISPERA (4-1): Major player, likely to get the right setup.
• #2 TITUBA (7-2): Consider for competitive spots, Maker/Saez combination.
• #11 CATMINT (12-1): Fringe contender, shouldn’t have trouble with the distance.

Selections: 4 – 14 – 2 – 11

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 10:14 PM ET, $120k Maiden Special Weight, 1 1/4 m on dirt, 11 Entries

• #1 JUST BASKING (3-1): Top selection, good closing kick, solid pedigree.
• #11 FORESEEN (9-2): Competitive, makes sense on speed figures.
• #5 MYSTICAL CHANT (7-2): Fringe contender, solid pedigree.
• #10 AVA’S LOOK (5-1): Fringe contender, competitive runner.

Selections: 1 – 11 – 5 – 10

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 10:46 PM ET, $200k Roxelana Overnight S., 6 f on dirt, 10 Entries

• #6 DAZZLING BLUE (3-1): Top selection, top power rating, running against decent company.
• #9 SOCIALLY SELECTIVE (6-1): Competitive, comes into the race in good form. Bet the longshot play of the card at BetOnline.
• #8 CONDENSATION (10-1): Competitive, solid speed figures, recent good form.
• #5 ZEITLOS (4-1): Fringe contender, running against decent company.

Selections: 6 – 9 – 8 – 5

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 11:17 PM ET, $58k Maiden Claiming, 6 f on dirt, 11 Entries

• #4 TAMMY’S CRUISER (9-2): Top selection, runs good enough to beat this group, shouldn’t have trouble with the distance.
• #9 RUBIA (5-1): Major player, well-bred, likely well-timed runner.
• #1 GREEN FAIRY (8-1): Consider for competitive spots, should improve off first start.
• #10 ARGAN (6-1): Consider for competitive spots, dangerous on the front end.

Selections: 4 – 9 – 1 – 10

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Betting News provides AI generated handicapping tools for all of the major tracks around the country each and every day.

In addition, Betting News will continue to provide in depth analysis of select racing cards throughout the week.

Friday

• Keeneland picks featuring featuring the Grade 3 Bewitch Stakes.

Saturday

• Churchill Downs picks for opening day.
• Golden Gate Fields picks for the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile
• Santa Anita picks featuring the Grade 3 Royal Heroine Stakes

Kentucky Derby Future Prop

Bet on your favorite horse to win the 2024 Kentucky Derby today. Also, check out our analysis of the top of the market in the Derby futures wagers. Bet the Kentucky Derby future pool on BetOnline

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