Derby Week continues on Wednesday afternoon at Churchill Downs when the first stakes action commences. I did not have strong takes on either the Kentucky Juvenile or the Issac Murphy Marathon, but there are a few runners I do like on the ten-race card that kicks off at 12:45 eastern. Here are my top plays on the first hump day card of the year in Louisville.


Race 1:
The lid lifter is an open $16k claimer at one mile over the main track where 5-2-ML favorite #1 Empire Builder was the made the 5-2-ML favorite by oddsmaker Nick Tammaro. The Classic Empire gelding takes a big drop in class for trainer Armando Hernandez after battling early and tiring late in a $62,500 claimer at Oaklawn Park in mid-March. The Florida-bred has the speed to control the early pace from his inside draw, but one has to wonder if he will be at his best on the multiple level drop. He certainly is capable of taking this field gate-to-wire with his best, but I do not trust him, so I will try to beat him with #8 National Eclipse. The son of Alternation was claimed by trainer Robertino Diodoro and Flying P Stable after his stalk and fade effort against better at Fair Grounds. He cuts back to one-turn, draws favorably to the far outside in this field of 8, and attracts Irad Ortiz, Jr. He should get a perfect stalking trip off the likely pacesetter. Hopefully, the foundation of the route events in New Orleans this winter allows him to out finish this bunch.

Play: #8 National Eclipse (7-2 ML)


Race 3:
My next spot play comes in this MSW event for 2YO fillies at 4.5-furlongs over the main track where I will try a long shot. #1 Barometric makes her first career start for trainer Tim Hamm. Hamm does not sport big numbers when shipping 2YOs into Louisville at first asking, but has proven capable nonetheless. Hamm sends out this Frosted filly who is out of a Harlan’s Holiday mare that won on debut at Churchill Downs in early May ’16 over this same surface and distance. Barometric will have to break well from her inside draw, but has the right man in the saddle in Luis Saez. If Saez can do his thing and get his mount out of the gate in good order, the Runnymoore Racing runner has precocity in the blood and can take the shortest distance into the quick run into the turn with a clean start.

Play: #1 Barometric (15-1 ML)


Race 8:
My final play of the Wednesday before Derby card comes in this $50k starter at 7-furlongs over the main track where #3 Sharons Beach was made the 5-2-ML choice after a runner-up effort as the chalk in a similar spot at Keeneland three weeks ago. Trainer Jonathan Thomas adds blinkers to this son of Omaha Beach who has burnt a lot of money thus far. I will hope to stalk off Sharons Beach and take control at the top of the lane with #4 Mo Work. The 4YO gelding aims to make it two wins in a row after being claimed out of a $40k N2L spot just 13 days ago for trainer Mark Simms Jr. Simms protects his new gelding and retains the services of Luis Saez. If he can avoid major regression off the career best run in Lexington, he should be in a perfect spot to make it back-to-back victories for his new barn.

Play: #4 Mo Work (4-1 ML)