The lead up to Kentucky Derby 151 continues on Thursday afternoon when Churchill Downs has a solid 12-race card on tap. The Thurby card contains a trio of stakes races and should offer some solid wagering opportunities despite mother nature likely to play a role on the day with rain forecasted in the Louisville area. Here are a few horses I like in the races originally scheduled for the main track with racing over the turf a big question mark at this point.

Race 5:

My first play of the day comes in this $50k starter at one-mile where I like the chances of #1 Riddle Solver to move forward in his second start of the form cycle for trainer Andrew McKeever. The Arrogate gelding debuted at Ellis Park last summer and failed to hit the board when encountering traffic issues. He went to the sidelines until this February when he returned at Turfway Park with blinkers on for the first time. The newly turned 4YO stalked early and won at nearly 20-1 before putting in a solid third-place effort in his first start against winners at Keeneland. In that spot, it was #5 Gamblers Tail running that group down, but Riddle Solver was much closer to an early pace that collapsed. He ran well when you take into account the flow of the race and his 25-1-price. Hopefully, he can take another step forward in his first try over the Churchill Downs main track.

Play: #1 Riddle Solver (10-1 ML)

//

Race 6: Kentucky Juvenile

I do not usually have much of an opinion in this 2YO stake at 5-furlongs, but this year is an exception. I have been waiting for the return of #6 Monster ever since he debuted at Keeneland on April 7. The good-looking Florida-bred opened up very live on the tote board for trainer Jose D’Angelo, but had trouble minding his own business in the paddock before heading out onto the racetrack for the first time in his career. Unfortunately, the Leinster colt broke in tangle and then lost a few more lengths right after the start costing him any chance of competing with eventual winner #5 Pinky Finger. That said, he did show some life late and gets blinkers for his second career start. I am expecting a huge move forward.

Play: #6 Monster (3-1 ML)

//

Race 11: St. Matthews Overnight

#3 Speed Boat Beach is the understandable 5-2-morning line favorite in his return to the races for trainer Bob Baffert. The son of Bayern has not raced since winning the Malibu (G1) going away in 2023, but his resume and speed figures prior to that break speak for themselves. The question is are you willing to take a short price not only with the layoff in mind, but the fact all of his success has come in California. He is obviously capable of dusting this field of non-graded stakes winners in 2024-2025, but as a gambler I will always be willing to take a shot against a horse with this profile.

With #8 Champlin likely to give Speed Boat Beach all he can handle early, I will hope to take advantage of a potential contentious pace with #1 Henro. The son of Collected is not as consistent as some of his rivals, but should be ready for his best off the freshening for trainer Chris Hartman. Hartman is off to a strong start to the spring and this gelding has not only run well over this surface, but is a perfect 2 for 2 over an off track. If we get an honest pace and the moisture in the surface we expect, he should be rolling late under veteran Rafael Bejarano.

Play: #1 Henro (15-1 ML)

Best of luck on the Thurby card!