Equidaily Racing Journal

Coast-to-coast

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Fri/Sat May 3-4, 2024
Picks and plays for Oaks/Derby Day stakes
by Seth Merrow


Turf selections/wagers are turf only

Churchill: G1 $5mil Ky Derby

Fierceness...If he runs his races it just seems like he's the best of the 3YOs currently.
Forever Young...Can't knock the record so far.
Catching Freedom...Big effort in G2 La Derby. Will have to work out a trip with this running style.
Honor Marie.
Sierra Leone.

Wager: $5 WP on Fierceness.
... $5 WP [a little bit of backup w a couple I think are possible] on Mystik Dan and Resilience.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$2 exacta box top five.
...$.50 tri box top five.
...$.50 tri key Fierceness over other six mentioned.



Saturday

Churchill: $200K Knick Go

Oscar Eclipse...Comebacker produced a lifetime best Beyer.
Best Actor...Third start back might prove fruitful.
Strong Quality...Turf-to-dirt and lots of speed.
US Army.

Wager: $5 WP on Oscar Eclipse.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$.50 tri box top four.


Churchill: G2 $600K Turf Sprint

Cogburn...Capable on best effort.
Big Invasion...Has won half his starts.
Mischief Magic...Euro import looked good in US debut.
Motorious.
Arrest Me Red.
Dirt: 14-1-7

Wager: $5 WP on Cogburn.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top five.
...$.50 tri box top five.


Churchill: G1 $1mil Derby City Distaff

Vahva...Top two seem evenly matched a have swapped decisions in last two. Slight edge here expecting improvement in second start back and also looking at the 2-for-2 CD record.
Alva Starr... Bested top pick last time.
Red Carpet ready...Behind the top two at KEE.
Olivia Darling.Wager: $5 WP on Vahva.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$.50 tri box top four.


Churchill: G2 $750K Distaff Turf Mile

Evvie Jets...Won the seasonal debut last year.
Delahye...Clearly talented.
Coppice...Euro-transplant for Chad Brown.
Mission of Joy.
Chili Flag.
On dirt: 8-9-10-4.

Wager: $5 WP on Evvie Jets.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top five.
...$.50 tri box top five.


Churchill: G2 $600K Pat Day Mile

Nash...Got the confidence re-build in latest.
Beeline...So far, so good.
Vlahos...Acid test today after solid debut.
Top Conor.

Wager: $5 WP on Nash.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$.50 tri box top four.


Churchill: G2 $600K American Turf

Cugino...Opph - rough beat last time.
Set...Undefeated.
Legend of Time...Euro trainer typically does well stateside.
Neat.

On dirt: 14-3-9.

Wager: $5 WP on Cugino.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$.50 tri box top four.


Churchill: G1 $1mil CD

Gun Pilot...Seems to be an improved 4YO.
Tejano Twist...In the hunt more often than not.
Mr Wirelss...Really popped in the comeback effort.
Minnesota Rerady.,p> Wager: $5 WP on Gun Pilot.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$.50 tri box top four.


Churchill: G1 $1mil Turf Classic

I'm Very Busy...Can't ignore the recent Beyers.
Integration...Still relatively lightly-raced and with potential.
Naval Power...Another Euro from Appleby.
Program Trading.
On dirt: same.

Wager: $5 WP on Mira Mission.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top five.
...$.50 tri box top five.



Friday

Churchill: G1 $1.5mil Ky Oaks

Thorpedo Anna...Perhaps a budding star in this division. G2 Fantasy win was good looking. Tarifa...Also a potent force.
Just FYI...2YO champ might be primed off of the seasonal debut.
Leslie's Rose.
Ways and Means.

Wager: $5 WP on Thorpedo Anna.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top five.
...$.50 tri box top five.


Churchill: G1 $1mil La Troienne

Idiomatic...Tough spot for the seasonal debut but she was solid last year.
Xigera...Seemed to come into her own at the end of last season.
Pretty Mischievous...Has only missed the exacta once in ten career starts.
Dorth Vader Wager: $5 W on Idiomatic.
...$5 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
... $.50 tri box top four.
...$1 tri key ...Idiomatic over next three.


Churchill: G3 $400K Unbridled Sidney

Ova Charged... Blossomed when returned to turf last time (but goes well if moved to dirt).
Stone Silent...Brings in a three-race win-streak.
Elm Drive...Might benefit from the KEE try off the layoff.
Miss Speedy.
On dirt: Same.

Wager: $5 WP on Ova Charged.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$.50 tri box top four.


Churchill: G2 $750K Alysheba

First Mission...Seems like the dud in seasonal debut is a toss since the follow-up stakes win seems more in character. Validates status in handicap division today.
Tapit Trice.
Trademark...Rebounds with return to Churchill.
Pipeline.

Wager: ...$5 exacta box top three.


Churchill: G3 $4000K Modesty

Surprisingly...Just missed behind a talented runner in latest.
Mouffy...Eight exacta finishes in ten starts.
Heavenly Sunday...4YO seasonal debut after having put together a nice record thus far for Brad Cox.
Sparkle Blue...Third start back coming out of a nice stakes win.
Caroline Street.

On dirt: 4-3-5-6.

Wager: $5 WP on Surprisingly.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top five.
...$.50 tri box top five.


Churchill: G2 $600K Eight Belles

Denim and Pearls... First four were very good - but latest was even better!
Halina's Forte...Cuts back and rebounds - hopefully.
Asternia...Nice Oalkawn stakes win in most recent start.
Impel.

Wager: $5 WP on Denim and Pearls.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$.50 tri box top four.


Churchill: G2 $600K Edgewood

Pounce.
Dynamic Pricing...Seems better than latest.
Hard to Justify...Can't fault her so far.
Buchu.
On dirt: 2-3-6-4.

Wager: $5 WP on Surprisingly.
...$5 exacta box top three.
...$2 tri box top three.


If we are interested in both halves of an entry -- in event of a scratch -- it is noted that way [in other words, both halves are named]. If only one-half of the entry is named, then we prefer that half and will move to our next pick listed [rather than the other half of the entry] in event of a scratch.

Coast-to-coast Archives...Picks, plays and results from previous weeks

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