Like on most race days, Churchill’s Thursday card presents plenty of opportunities. Race 6 and Race 8 are especially attractive. One is a high-level turf allowance. The other is a high-level dirt allowance. We handicap and makes picks for both those events as well as Race 7, a $50,000 claiming 7 furlong dirt dash. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds from Chruchill Downs for Thursday, June 11. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.
Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks
- When: Thursday, June 11 at 1:00 pm ET
- Where: Louisville, KY
- Weather: Mostly Sunny
- Temperature: High 86 – Low 60
Churchill Downs Picks for Thursday, June 11
Race 6 – 3:42 pm ET – 1 1/16 Miles Turf – $81,000 Allowance
Please Call Me Back has a big chance to upset the two chalks, Vintage Print and Fancy Liquor. The Eddie Kenneally trained runner gets Lasix for the first time, comes over from Gulfstream and gets Corey Lanerie to ride. Kenneally has won 2-of-5 with first time Lasix. Eddie also wins 19% with shippers and 18% with runners going first time for him.
Even though Chad Brown trains Vintage Print, the Curlin sired 3-year-old might keep his 2/1 morning line odds. Vintage Print broke his maiden in his last race. The win was only by three-quarters of a length, though. Also, Fancy Liquor should get plenty of attention. Let’s cross our fingers and hope Print doesn’t fall further than 8/5.
Mike Maker trained Fancy Liquor broke his maiden at first asking. Then, in his first against winners, the Lookin At Lucky sired colt finished third in a Grade 3 at Turfway Park. Jockey Florent Geroux figures to try and steal this on the front end. Florent can do it if nobody goes with his horse.
- Win: Please Call Me Back
- Place: Vintage Print
- Show: Fancy Liquor
Race 7 – 4:14 pm ET – 7 Furlongs Dirt – $50,000 Claiming
There doesn’t appear to be a ton of speed in this, which is why Wayne Catalano trained Hidden Talent could take the lead and never look back. A 4-year-old sired by Giant’s Causeway, Hidden Talent breaks from post-position 1. That helps. What also helps is having Tyler Gaffalione on his back. A fantastic work on June 3, 4 furlongs in 47.2, the best of 32 at the distance, shows intent to grab the lead and go.
Brad Cox trained Golden Notion figures to offer underlay odds to get his picture taken. Cox wins 26% with horses running off a maiden score. Not only that but the Goldencents sired colt broke the maiden on this dirt and at this distance. Notion is the one to beat.
Soaring Bird should get into the trifecta. The gelding’s best races have been at a sprint. Also, Bird takes a drop in class from allowance company.
- Win: Hidden Talent
- Place: Golden Notion
- Show: Soaring Bird
Race 8 – 4:46 pm ET – 1 1/16 Miles Dirt – $75,000 Allowance Optional Claiming
In her first versus winners, Steve Asmussen trained Seattle Slang didn’t run that badly. The Tapit sired miss finished third by 5 ½ lengths. She should improve off that run while Asmussen wins 26% with last out beaten favorites.
Velvet Crush is another Tapit sired runner with a shot. Trainer Rodolphe Brisset gets 30% winners going sprint to route. Crush broke its maiden going 7 furlongs and then failed in a 6 ½ furlong sprint at Gulfstream. In her lone try over Churchill’s dirt, she finished second in a $95,000 maiden special weight at a mile.
Brisset has another contender in Aurelia Grand. The Constitution sired 3-year-old filly breaks form the rail. Grand won her first race and then finished third in the event after the maiden score. She can win this. Consider for all slots in your exotics.
- Win: Seattle Slang
- Place: Velvet Crush
- Show: Aurelia Grand
