Churchill Downs Picks: Chicago Stakes

Don’t miss the thrilling racing action at Churchill Downs this Saturday, highlighted by the exciting Chicago Stakes. Be sure to take a look at our expert picks for the entire race card at Churchill Downs!

Full Card Analysis

Bet all of today’s selections with signup bonuses and promotions at BetOnline.

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 12:45 PM ET; Claiming $32k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

• #4 CHITWOOD (1-1): Top pick. Strong early pace figs. Looks good based on the 88 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
• #2 ONCOMING TRAIN (3-1): Major Player. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
• #3 LEGENDARY LORE (7-2): Worth a look. Has experience at this level. Has been running well enough recently.
• #5 WOODYTHEBIDSPOTTER (6-1): Fringe Contender. Should still have enough if the reserves are there in the final furlong. Shouldn’t be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 4 – 2 – 3 – 5

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:14 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $141k; 1 M Turf; Field of 7 runners.

• #5 FOR THE FLAG (5-2): Top pick. Should be able to work out a trip. Stamina to outlast the competition.
• #1 NEVERWALKALONE (10-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Rider is in the upper tier of the colony.
• #4 WATCH THIS BIRDIE (4-1): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races. Previous success in similar race types.
• #2 NOT SO CLOSE (7-2): Contender. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.

Selections: 5 – 1 – 4 – 2

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 1:43 PM ET; Maiden Claiming $63k; 5 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

• #5 SWIFTWIND (7-2): Top pick. Looks good based on the 69 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Strong early pace figs.
• #4 INDY’S UNIVERSE (3-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #6 EVIE’S EYEBROWS (4-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types.
• #9 COMBATTANTE (10-1): Underneath. Recent races are solid.

Selections: 5 – 4 – 6 – 9

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:14 PM ET; Starter Allowance $54k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #5 WINDY BAY (3-1): Top pick. Top 5 rider aboard. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
• #1 WINDY WALK (5-2): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. May be able to take advantage of the pace.
• #7 CLASSIC PERFORMER (5-1): Contender. Should sit a good trip. Previous success in similar race types.
• #2 OUTOFNOTHINGATALL (9-2): Contender. Race shape gives this one an edge.

Selections: 5 – 1 – 7 – 2

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 2:46 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $92k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

• #4 SERGEANT CAPPS (5-1): Longshot play of the day. Looks good based on the 67 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Bet today’s live longshot on BetOnline.
• #5 SWEET FANTASY (3-1): Major Player. Rider is in the upper tier of the colony. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
• #1 MISTER WOODFORD (15-1): Contender. Speed figs match up nicely.
• #6 COMING IN HOT (6-1): Contender. Race shape gives this one an edge.

Selections: 4 – 5 – 1 – 6

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:18 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $134k; 5 F Turf; Field of 8 runners.

• #6 OUTADORE (6-5): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition.
• #8 COUNTERSTRIKE (3-1): Major Player. Rider is in the upper tier of the colony.
• #4 CLEAR THE AIR (5-2): Worth a look. Not likely to be short in the stretch. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
• #7 B D VALESKI (12-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer’s horses have been running. Gets one of the best jockeys at the meet with Gaffalione.

Selections: 6 – 8 – 4 – 7

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 3:51 PM ET; Chicago Stakes $250k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 5 runners.

• #3 VAHVA (1-1): Best bet of the card. Top 5 rider aboard. Looks good based on the 98 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Bet today’s best bet with industry leading rebates on BetOnline.
• #1 SOCIETY (4-5): Major Player. Good race flow for this runner.
• #4 CHI TOWN LADY (10-1): Contender. Not likely to be short in the stretch.
• #2 ROYAL SPA (15-1): Contender. Jockey is having a great meet. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 3 – 1 – 4 – 2

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:23 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $120k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 11 runners.

• #6 GENETICS (3-1): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition.
• #5 SAVE TIME (7-2): Fringe Contender. Trainer is having a great meet. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #9 SUSTANCIA (10-1): Worth a look. Having this jockey up can only help the chances.
• #7 QUEEN OF PARIS (4-1): Fringe Contender. Ran at this level last out.

Selections: 6 – 5 – 9 – 7

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 4:55 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $127k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

• #7 HERE U COME AGAIN (5-2): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #4 MINK’S PALACE (3-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Rider is in the upper tier of the colony.
• #8 SHE CALLED (7-2): Worth a look. Has experience at this level. May be able to find the right setup.
• #5 TIPSY TAMMY (6-1): Fringe Contender. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 7 – 4 – 8 – 5

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 5:27 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $141k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

• #7 CHAMPLIN (3-1): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Barn has been solid.
• #2 TRACK MATE (9-2): Major Player. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #8 HAPPY IS A CHOICE (4-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types.
• #4 EYE WITNESS (12-1): Contender. Fast enough on paper to compete. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 7 – 2 – 8 – 4

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 11

Post Time: 5:58 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $134k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 12 runners.

• #7 FAIR DINKUM (3-1): Top pick. Race sets up perfectly. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
• #9 CLYDE’S GOT A GUN (4-1): Fringe Contender. Potentially cycling to a top performance. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #8 MIRANDA RIGHTS (5-2): Worth a look. Having this jockey up can only help the chances. Previous success in similar race types.
• #4 SCOOBIE QUANDO (15-1): Fringe Contender. Shouldn’t be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 7 – 9 – 8 – 4

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

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Saturday

• Here are the Canterbury Park selections, highlighting the upcoming Canterbury Derby.
• Belmont at the Big A picks featuring the Wild Applause Stakes
• Churchill Downs picks featuring the Chicago Stakes
• Monmouth Park picks featuring the Goldwood Stakes
• Thistledown picks featuring the Ohio Derby