After a day that saw Napoleon Solo turn away Iron Honor in the lane to capture the 151st running of the Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park, it is right back to it for horseplayers for what should be an enjoyable Sunday Funday. The action throughout the country should provide a great way to end the racing week. I have my attention focused on Churchill Downs this afternoon where they have a 9-race card set to kick off at 12:45 PM eastern. Here are the horses I like most on the slate.


Race 4:
My first play comes in this first-level allowance event at two-turns over the main track where I expect 3 or 4 fillies to take the lions’ share of the money. #1 Clarita comes off a hard fought second at Keeneland at a similar level and was made the 8-5-ML favorite, while #5 Be the Light and #2 Answered Prayers will also likely go off at under 4-1. I like Answered Prayers most. The Emory Hamilton homebred bounced back after breaking slowly over an off track at Gulfstream Park on debut with an easy 2 1/2-length win in her first start at a route of ground last month. The daughter of Speightstown was unable to save ground that day into the first turn, but still had plenty left late with the addition of blinkers for the initial time. A move forward and a favorable ground saving voyage should lead to back-to-back scores for the Bill Mott trainee.

Pick: #2 Answered Prayers (3-1 ML)


Race 7:
There is no doubt this MSW at 6-furlongs over the main track goes through deserving 8-5-ML favorite #9 Deep Flame. Normally, horses that lose their first two races with runner-up finishes after taking a lot of money are runners I start to consider playing against due to being underlaid and potentially camera shy. That is not the case though with this Juddmonte colt. He finished second after just an ok break on debut to a serious horse in Trouble Calling before missing by a half-length when throwing it down with next out winner Gilded Bandit going 6.5-furlongs at Keeneland. He should crush this field unless he still has yet to recover from the very fast race last out.

I will key Deep Flame on top and look for value underneath since I have questions about 7-2-second choice #11 Embry Show and the more experienced duo of #5 Puteketeke and #6 Gream Moment. I will hope to get one of two first-time starters into the number. #1 Flashy Rich Deal is a full-brother to $2.5M earner Free Like a Girl. He draws the rail and may not be set for his best first out, but he could have some talent. #2 Justice also intrigues slightly. Trainer Wayne Mackey has debuted five horses at Churchill Downs dating back to the spring of 2022. None of them have won, but all 5 were double-digit odds and 2 hit the board. I will hope he makes 50% in the money with this Peter Blue Thoroughbreds colt.

Play: Exacta 9 with 1+2, Tri 9 w/ 1+2+3+4+7+8+10 w/ 1+2


Race 8:
This second-level allowance event at 7-furlongs is a fun one. There are some fast horses in this race that can get the lead early and be tough to catch late, but I am hopeful they will compromise each other’s chances on the front end. If so, #1 Mendela could be able to take advantage. The daughter of Mendelssohn comes in off a runner-up effort at Oaklawn Park where she was unlikely to win with a cleaner run, but did have traffic issues in the lane. The move to Rafael Bejarano should work well for this Chris Hartman trainee that will need some racing luck with the rail draw. That said, if they go at it early, she could be making the last move.

Play: #1 Mendela (8-1 ML)

Have a great Sunday and enjoy next week. I will be dealing with some personal things and be back ready to fire the following week!