Churchill Downs Sunday: Hendy Woods Tepid Mint Julep Favorite

Saturday’s Churchill Downs card is loaded with stakes. However, Sunday’s card may include the most wide open race of the weekend in the Mint Julep.

Mint Julep Full Card Analysis

Churchill Downs Race 1

Post: 12:45 PM ET; Purse: $52,000 Starter Allowance, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 6

• #1 JUMP INTO THE FIRE (4-5) looks tough to beat here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & pace numbers. A chalky start, but this may be a free space.
• #6 ABSOLUTE LOVE (3-1) merits consideration in this spot given edges in stamina & class.
• #5 SENSE YOU LEFT (6-1) has run against decent company in the previous tries.
• #3 MALIBU MARLEE (10-1) could outrun the odds for a decent barn.

Selections: 1-6-5-3

Churchill Downs Race 2

Post: 1:14 PM ET; Purse: $54,000 Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 6

• #2 ONCOMING TRAIN (5-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's pace. I fully expect this one to have plenty of stamina in the late stages to pull the upset.
• #5 COLE SPUR (2-1) should be in a good spot from the outset and could be dangerous carrying that speed over 6 furlongs.
• #6 HANEY BOYS (3-1) comes from a solid barn and wouldn’t be a surprise to get the victory in this spot.
• #1 KISSALOT (10-1) merits consideration in this spot given the speed and class numbers.

Selections: 2-5-6-1

Churchill Downs Race 3

Post: 1:43 PM ET; Purse: $134,000 Allowance, 5 1/2 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 8

• #6 AMERICAN STARLET (4-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's connections & power rating.
• #8 NAKATOMI (5-2) is worth a look here given edges in class rating.
• #4 DETROIT CITY (8-1) could get a perfect pace scenario today.
• #5 NOBALS (3-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & record at the distance.

Selections: 6-8-4-5

Churchill Downs Race 4

Post: 2:13 PM ET; Purse: $42,000 Maiden Claiming, 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 10

• #7 ISTHMIAN (5-2) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.
• #9 BROWN DELIVERS (3-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's stamina & pedigree.
• #10 KEVALAR (9-2) has to be respected based on the connections.
• #3 SOUTHERN SENSE (6-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & early pace.

Selections: 7-9-10-3

Churchill Downs Race 5

Post: 2:45 PM ET; Purse: $68,000 Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 8

• #7 HANALEI'S HOUDINI (5-2) is in with a great chance based on the horse's class & power rating.
• #8 COLONELSDARKTEMPER (3-1) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & stamina.
• #1 COLONEL BOWMAN (6-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's record at the distance & form.
• #5 DOUBLE CROWN (5-1) should be forward early and may be able to carry that speed to the wire.

Selections: 7-8-1-5

Churchill Downs Race 6

Post: 3:18 PM ET; Purse: $120,000 Maiden Special Weight, 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 17

• #9 OLD HICKORY (4-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & pedigree.
• #10 TEPEU (7-2) has a solid foundation and will be forward throughout which is a good thing in these maiden races.
• #11 THE CLOWN (20-1) has to be respected based on the connections.
• #1 MOUNT RUNDLE (8-1) may look to push the pace from the inside and maybe can sneak to the front and hang on for a piece.

Selections: 9-10-11-1

Churchill Downs Race 7

Post: 3:50 PM ET; Purse: $148,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 7

• #4 CADDO RIVER (8-5) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating.
• #6 ENDORSED (15-1) will likely be a factor in the pace scenario.
• #3 HEART RHYTHM (12-1) likes this distance and could outrun the odds in this spot.
• #5 THREE TECHNIQUE (3-1) comes off a big win in the last race and has to be respected here.

Selections: 4-6-3-5

Churchill Downs Race 8

Post: 4:22 PM ET; Purse: $134,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 1 1/8 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 15

• #12 INJUNCTION (3-1) is worth a look here given edges in connections & power rating.
• #13 BACKSIDEOFTHEMOON (15-1) should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done.
• #7 CLAYTNTHELIONHEART (15-1) will likely have the stamina to outlast these in the final jumps of the race.
• #2 RISING EMPIRE (6-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.

Selections: 12-13-7-2

Churchill Downs Race 9

Post: 4:55 PM ET; Purse: $200,000 Old Forester Mint Julep S., 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 10

• #6 DALIKA (9-2) merits consideration in this spot given edges in stamina & class.
• #5 LAKE LUCERNE (8-1) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & pace.
• #2 MARKET RUMOR (8-1) could get a perfect pace scenario today.
• #9 HENDY WOODS (3-1) is favored and has the top power rating in the group and wouldn’t be shocking to get the job done. The price just might be a bit light relative to the chances to win.

Selections: 6-5-2-9

Churchill Downs Race 10

Post: 5:26 PM ET; Purse: $120,000 Maiden Special Weight, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 16

• #4 BOURBON HEIST (3-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & early pace.
• #12 ELITE POWER (-2) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & pedigree.
• #9 CONCERTED (4-1) is a fresh face in a field that may be begging for an infusion of new blood.
• #8 KINGMAKER (10-1) is an interesting price play who goes out for solid connections. This one could get into the number at price.

Selections: 4-12-9-8

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