Turfless Churchill Downs Racing Resumes: Pocahontas Analysis

Churchill Downs will run one of its most prestigious races on Saturday. The Pocahontas will be run as the track continues without turf racing.

The course has once again been ripped up after a second attempt to try and get the root system to take place.

Churchill Downs- Race 1

Post: 12:45 PM ET; $42k Maiden Claiming going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #4 CONSPIRACY FACT (6-1) makes sense on speed figures. This one seems to fit well enough here.
• #10 LOCO (12-1) is a price horse and is well bred for this spot. This one is a good bet to hit the board in this type of race.
• #2 EDGE OF GLORY (4-1) has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot. This one could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #3 SOUTHERN SENSE (5-1) has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot. This one has races good enough to beat this group.

Selections: 4 – 10- 2 – 3

Churchill Downs- Race 2

Post: 1:14 PM ET; $120k Maiden Special Weight going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 13

• #11 ALWAYS LAUGHING (8-1) should improve off the first start and the debut was good enough to beat these types.
• #5 TINY TEMPER (4-1) debuts here and has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #4 RIGHT NOW (8-1) has the pedigree to improve off the first effort.
• #101 MIDVALE (5-2) projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.

Selections: 11- 5 – 4 – 10

Churchill Downs- Race 3

Post: 1:43 PM ET; $72k Starter Allowance going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 11

• #1 NEPOTISM (3-1) could get the right setup in this race. This one seems to fit well enough here.
• #9 ENDLESS SUNSET (5-1) may benefit from a hot pace up front. This one looks to be the class of the field.
• #8 MIACOMET (4-1) should be part of the early pace in this spot. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #5 PLEDGEOFALLEGIANCE (9-2) goes out for the Mcgee barn and gets Hernandez in the irons.

Selections: 1 – 9 – 8 – 5

Churchill Downs- Race 4

Post: 2:13 PM ET; $120k Maiden Special Weight going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 14

• #13 SUNNY RIVER (9-5) has races good enough to beat this group. This one looks to be the class of the field.
• #9 LUV DRAGON (7-2) shouldn't have trouble with the 1 mile distance.
• #1 SWEET LADY IVANKA (4-1) projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.
• #4 PLEASE BE KIND (9-2) should be part of the early pace in this spot.

Selections: 13- 9 – 1 – 4

Churchill Downs- Race 5

Post: 2:45 PM ET; $120k Maiden Special Weight going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 16

• #15 KING D'ORO (6-1) debuts here and has to be respected going out for the combination of Pletcher and Rosario.
• #9 DARYL'S BOLT (12-1) is a price horse and going out for the Hartman barn.
• #5 LOGGINS (3-1) debuts here. Cox goes to Geroux for the ride which is a good sign.
• #10 EASY ACTION (10-1) is a price horse with a solid pedigree.

Selections: 15- 9 – 5 – 10

Churchill Downs- Race 6

Post: 3:18 PM ET; $127k Allowance going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 15

• #9 PRO OXIDANT (5-1) should improve off the first start and that makes this one really dangerous.
• #12 GULFSTREAM WAY (6-1) has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #6 BRIGADIER GENERAL (3-1) seems to fit well enough here.
• #10 DRIVE FOR FUN (10-1) has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 9 – 12- 6 – 10

Churchill Downs- Race 7

Post: 3:50 PM ET; $300k Open Mind S. going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 5

• #1 SCONSIN (8-5) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #2 JOYFUL CADENCE (7-2) has to be respected going out for the combination of Ortiz and Gutierrez.
• #4 BELL'S THE ONE (6-5) will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.
• #3 CHEETARA (15-1) is a price horse and makes sense on speed figures. This one should be part of the early pace in this spot.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 4 – 3

Churchill Downs- Race 8

Post: 4:22 PM ET; $400k Locust Grove S. going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 6

• #1 GOLD SPIRIT (6-1) has races good enough to beat this group.
• #3 CRAZY BEAUTIFUL (9-5) shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/16 mile distance and may benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #2 ENVOUTANTE (5-2) has races good enough to beat this group. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #4 LI'L TOOTSIE (8-1) makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 1 – 3 – 2 – 4

Churchill Downs- Race 9

Post: 4:55 PM ET; $300k Iroquois S. going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 9

• #9 ECHO AGAIN (2-1) should improve off the first start and shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/16 mile distance.
• #5 CURLY JACK (5-1) looks to be the class of the field and has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #3 DAMON'S MOUND (5-2) should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders. This one comes into the race in really good form.
• #6 JACE'S ROAD (7-2) should improve off the first start and has to be respected going out for the combination of Cox and Geroux.

Selections: 9 – 5 – 3 – 6

Churchill Downs- Race 10

Post: 5:26 PM ET; $275k Louisville Thoroughbred Society S. going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• #5 MILES AHEAD (6-1) has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.
• #6 ISOLATE (7-5) has to be respected going out for the combination of Amoss and Rosario. This one could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #4 NECKER ISLAND (5-2) projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.
• #7 TOP GUNNER (5-1) may go if others don’t to his inside.

Selections: 5 – 6 – 4 – 7

Churchill Downs- Race 11

Post: 5:58 PM ET; $300k Pocahontas S. going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 12

• #5 GRAND LOVE (9-2) should improve off the first start and shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/16 mile distance.
• #3 NAUGHTY GAL (5-1) looks to be the class of the field.
• #4 SHOPLIFTER (15-1) is a price horse and could get the right setup in this race.
• #11 JUSTA WARRIOR (4-1) will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.

Selections: 5 – 3 – 4 – 11

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