Churchill Downs: Downs After Dark Saturday Stakes Analysis

Churchill Downs will continue their spring meet on Saturday. The card is part of a series the track calls “Downs after Dark” which features twilight racing.

Kentucky Derby Winner Out of Preakness

While the racing at Churchill is in full swing this weekend, the big news of the week out of Kentucky was that Derby winner Rich Strike will not participate in the Preakness Stakes.

Betting News will provide more insight into this decision during our Preakness stakes coverage which begins Monday, May 16.

Downs After Dark Full Card Analysis

Churchill Downs Race 1

Post: 6:00 PM ET; Purse: $72,000 Starter Allowance, 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 6

• #5 AMERICAN HERO (8-5) is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & power rating.
• #2 SUMMER IN MALIBU (2-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & form.
• #4 TURNSANDCONDITIONS (15-1) is worth a look here given edges in class & race flow.
• #1 COLE SPUR (5-2) should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done.

Selections: 5-2-4-1

Churchill Downs Race 2

Post: 6:28 PM ET; Purse: $32,000 Claiming, 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7

• #6 RUSSIAN ROULETTE (8-5) barring a horrible turn of racing luck, this one looks like about as much of a lock as they come.
• #1 TAPALONG (9-5) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.
• #7 BRUNELLA (9-2) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.
• #3 SMOKIN HOT BOBBIE (15-1) has a chance to outrun the odds for a piece.

Selections: 6-1-7-3 (Best Bet: #6 RUSSIAN ROULETTE)

Churchill Downs Race 3

Post: 6:56 PM ET; Purse: $127,000 Allowance, 5 1/2 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 10

• #6 FOLIAGE (3-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.
• #9 RUNPAT (2-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's record at the distance & power rating.
• #2 APACHE TEARS (4-1) could get a perfect pace scenario today.
• #1 PURPLE DREAM (8-1) wouldn't be a huge surprise in the winner's circle.

Selections: 6-9-2-1

Churchill Downs Race 4

Post: 7:26 PM ET; Purse: $42,000 Maiden Claiming, 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 7

• #4 DUNVEGAN DOLL (8-5) is in with a great chance based on the horse's stamina & pace numbers.
• #1 CHOPIN DRIVE (5-2) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & form.
• #2 NIBBLES (6-1) is worth a look here given the blood lines which should be right for these conditions.
• #5 WILDCAT DREAM (12-1) is a nice price to fill out exotics.

Selections: 4-1-2-5

Churchill Downs Race 5

Post: 7:57 PM ET; Purse: $50,000 Claiming, 1 1/8 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 6

• #2 SCALES OF JUSTICE (5-2) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating.
• #6 LOVING LUCKY (9-2) is in with a great chance based on the horse's record at the distance & pace numbers.
• #1 DROP ANCHOR (3-1) comes into the race signaling a big performance in the near future.
• #4 HELLORHIGHWATER (7-2) will likely have the stamina to outlast these in the final jumps of the race.

Selections: 2-6-1-4

Churchill Downs Race 6

Post: 8:30 PM ET; Purse: $31,000 Claiming, 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 9

• #2 SONIC CITY (8-5) is in with a great chance based on the horse's record at the distance & power rating.
• #1 RIVER REDEMPTION (3-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & race flow.
• #1A CHASE TRACKER (3-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's stamina & pace numbers.
• #4 TIGHTWAD (6-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.

Selections: 2-1-1A-4

Churchill Downs Race 7

Post: 9:05 PM ET; Purse: $127,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 11

• #8 GLENALL (7-2) is in with a great chance based on the horse's class & power rating.
• #11 LOVE TO RUN (10-1) is a long shot that could really have a major say in this race.
• #1 WALKATHON (3-1) is worth a look here given edges in form & pace numbers.
• #2 RED HOT MAMA (10-1) should have plenty left in the tank late if other don’t want the distnace.

Selections: 8-11-1-2

Churchill Downs Race 8

Post: 9:39 PM ET; Purse: $58,000 Maiden Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 10

• #7 UNCLE BERLEY (3-1) is worth a look here given edges in race flow & pace numbers.
• #6 QUICK TO BLAME (2-1) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & form.
• #9 FIFTY CENT DOLLARS (12-1) could be a factor at a fat price.
• #3 GRAPNEL (6-1) is worth a look here given edges in connections & breeding.

Selections: 7-6-9-3

Churchill Downs Race 9

Post: 10:11 PM ET; Purse: $160,000 Mamzelle Overnight S., 5 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 12

• #2 MYSTIC EYES (3-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's record at the distance & form.
• #5 TWILIGHT GLEAMING (6-5) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating.
• #4 BOXING DAY (15-1) seems a cut below but the right type to create some chaos underneath.
• #7 ROYAL COUNTY (15-1) has to be respected based on the connections.

Selections: 2-5-4-7

Churchill Downs Race 10

Post: 10:42 PM ET; Purse: $134,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

• #1 NEW ROO (6-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & form.
• #4 REMAIN ANONYMOUS (6-1) is a fringe player that has a chance to be a big part of the final outcome.
• #5 GERRI B (3-1) is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & pace numbers.
• #3 LIBERTY M D (5-2) is in with a great chance based on the horse's class & power rating.

Selections: 1-4-5-3

Churchill Downs Race 11

Post: 11:10 PM ET; Purse: $120,000 Maiden Special Weight, 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 16

• #16 TWIRLING PATTI (8-1) has to be respected today edging the field in several key handicapping factors including class & breeding.
• #9 ABOUKIR BAY (10-1) is worth a look here given edges in connections & record at the distance.
• #14 MINDFUL (12-1) is a price that I’m willing to include since I’m not super keen on the favorites.
• #12 ROBIN'S FANTASY (8-1) is yet another good price who could surprise in this spot.

Selections: 16-9-14-12

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