Churchill’s top two races on Memorial Day are $100,000 optional claimers going 6 furlongs over the dirt. We’ve studied both those races and provide free horse racing picks. The other race we provide free picks for is a $62,500 optional claiming turf event. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds from Gulfstream Park for Monday, May 25. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.
Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks
- When: Monday, May 25 at 1:00 pm ET
- Where: Louisville, KY
- Weather: Chance of Rain Showers
- Temperature: High 85 – Low 69
Churchill Downs Picks for Monday, May 25
Race 2 – 1:30 pm ET – 6 Furlongs Dirt – $100,000 Allowance Optional Claiming
Consider the 8/1 morning line Wesley Ward trained Anna’s Fast a serious contender. After she broke her maiden going 4 ½ furlongs by 5 lengths, Wesley entered her into a Grade 2 at Ascot. She failed big time. She then won an optional claimer at Turfway Park before stumbling again in a stakes race. This is the first time Anna gets back on dirt since the maiden score. Anna can go by Frank’s Rockette in the stretch.
On Monday, Mark Casse trained Specially figures to get the perfect setup. Front runners Frank’s Rockette, Anna’s Fast, and Rising Seas should go after each other right out of the gate. Jockey Florent Geroux can place Specially a length off the speed. She’s good enough to go by all of them except Anna’s Fast.
7/5 chalk Frank’s Rockette is super-fast. Expect Martin Garcia to try and ration Frank’s speed. That won’t help the Rockette hold off both Anna’s Fast and Specially.
- Win: Anna’s Fast
- Place: Specially
- Show: Frank’s Rockette
Race 8 – 4:40 pm ET – 6 Furlongs Dirt – $100,000 Allowance Optional Claiming
Relentless Dancer failed to do much in his last race, the $75,000 Unbridled Stakes. There are a couple of reasons to believe the Mike Maker trainee turns it around in this. First, Maker adds blinkers. Second, jockey Florent Geroux hops aboard. Florent rode this one to the 9 ¾ length maiden score, which happened over this racetrack.
Steve Asmussen might be thinking Kentucky Derby with 9/5 on the morning line Echo Town. The Speightstown sired 3-year-old has 2 wins a second and a third from 4 lifetime races. Town could go off close to even money to win this. But we can’t leave from the exacta.
Hop Kat is an undefeated Stay Thirsty runner trained by top conditioner Eddie Kenneally. Tyler Gaffalione gave this one a perfect ride in his last. If Relentless Dancer doesn’t fire and Echo Town doesn’t feel like running, Hop Kat can get the win. Consider for all positions on your exotic tickets.
- Win: Relentelss Dancer
- Place: Echo Town
- Show: Hop Kat
Race 9 – 5:12 pm ET – 1 1/16 Miles Turf – $62,500 Allowance Optional Claiming
Maker saddles a potential longshot winner in the ninth. At 8/1 on the morning line, most will disregard Morocco’s chances. The 6-year-old gelded son of Pioneerof the Nile has a win and a third-place finish in its last two. Morocco also shows a couple of nice works in May. This race is wide-open. It makes sense to back a price horse to win.
Kulik Bear goes for trainer Mark Casse. Bear heads into this off a nice victory over the Fair Grounds grass in his last. The 4-year-old Curlin sired colt should get a a nice trip either on the lead or just off.
Award Winner gets top lawn jock Julien Leparoux. Winner can track the speed or go for the lead. That makes this one dangerous. But the 4-year-old colt must break from post-position 9. If Leparoux takes this one wide around the first turn, don’t expect a victory.
- Win: Morocco
- Place: Kulik Bear
- Show: Award Winner
