Saturday 5/7/22 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2022, 06:13 AM

National League
Los Angeles (16-7) @ Cubs (9-15)
— Anderson is 1-0, 2.79 in his last two starts.
— Dodgers are 1-1 in his starts.
— under 2-0
— allowed run in first inning: 0-2
— record in first 5 innings: 1-1
— He is 3-3, 3.95 in seven starts vs Chicago

— Kershaw is 3-0, 2.35 in four starts.
— Dodgers are 3-1 in his starts.
— under 2-2
— allowed run in first inning: 0-4
— record in first 5 innings: 3-0-1
— He is 1-3, 4.74 in four starts at Wrigley Field.

— Dodgers won 15 of last 20 games.
— Los Angeles is 6-5 on the road.
— under 10-3 last 13
— scored run in first inning: 10-23
— record in first 5 innings: 14-4-5

— Smyly is 0-2, 3.77 in his last three starts.
— Cubs are 2-2 in his starts.
— under 4-0
— allowed run in first inning: 1-4
— record in first 5 innings: 2-2
— He is 0-1, 4.24 in five games (3 starts)vs Los Angeles.

— bullpen game

— Cubs lost 11 of their last 14 games.
— Cubs are 4-8 at home
— under 6-3 last nine games
— scored run in first inning: 8-24
— record in first 5 innings: 9-13-2

Pittsburgh (10-14) @ Cincinnati (3-22)
— Brubaker is 0-1, 6.75 in his last four starts.
— Pirates are 3-2 in his starts.
— over 3-2
— allowed run in first inning: 2-5
— record in first 5 innings: 2-3
— He is 1-2, 4.87 in four starts vs Cincinnati.

— Keller is 0-4, 5.40 in his five starts.
— Pirates are 0-5 in his starts.
— over 2-2-1
— allowed run in first inning: 3-5
— record in first 5 innings: 0-4-1
— He is 1-3, 6.69 in eight starts vs Cincinnati.

— Pirates lost six of their last eight games.
— Pittsburgh is 5-7 on road.
— 10 of last 15 games under
— scored run in first inning: 5-24
— record in first 5 innings: 7-15-2

— Former Pirate Overton allowed a run in 5.1 IP in his first ‘22 start.
— Reds are 0-1 in his starts.
— under 1-0
— allowed run in first inning: 0-1
— record in first 5 innings: 1-0
— He hasn’t pitched against Pittsburgh.

— bullpen game

— Reds lost 20 of their last 21 games.
— Cincinnati is 1-7 at home.
— over eight of last nine games
— scored run in first inning: 6-25
— record in first 5 innings: 5-19-1

NY Mets (19-9) @ Philadelphia (11-15)
— Scherzer is 4-0, 2.61 in five starts.
— New York is 5-0 in his starts.
— over 3-2
— allowed run in first inning: 0-5
— record in first 5 innings: 4-0-1
— He is 9-1, 2.20 in 13 starts at Philly; he is 2-0, 4.09 in two starts vs Philly this season.

— Mets are 16-7 in their last 23 games.
— Mets are 10-4 on road.
— over 5-1 last six games.
— scored run in first inning: 7-28
— record in first 5 innings: 16-5-7

— Gibson is 1-0, 3.38 in his last three starts.
— Phillies are 3-2 in his starts.
— under 3-2
— allowed run in first inning: 1-5
— record in first 5 innings: 2-3
— He is 1-3, 4.15 in six starts vs New York.

— Phillies are 1-5 in last six games.
— Philly is 8-8 at home.
— over 6-1 last seven home games
— scored run in first inning: 10-26
— record in first 5 innings: 8-12-6

Milwaukee (19-8) @ Atlanta (12-16)
— Burnes is 1-1, 1.30 in his last four starts.
— Brewers are 2-3 in his starts.
— under 4-0-1
— allowed run in first inning: 0-5
— record in first 5 innings: 3-2
— He allowed 14 runs in 6.2 IP in four games (1 start) vs Atlanta.

— Brewers won 15 of last 18 games.
— Milwaukee is 9-4 on road.
— over 6-1 last seven
— scored run in first inning: 10-27
— record in first 5 innings: 14-7-6

— Fried is 3-0, 1.42 in his last three starts.
— Braves are 3-2 in his starts.
— under 3-1 last four
— allowed run in first inning: 1-5
— record in first 5 innings: 2-3
— He is 2-1, 2.57 in three starts vs Milwaukee

— Braves are 8-14 in last 22 games.
— Atlanta is 6-8 at home.
— over 9-4 last 13 games
— scored run in first inning: 7-28
— record in first 5 innings: 10-15-3

Colorado (15-11) @ Arizona (14-13)
— Freeland is 1-1, 3.71 in his last three starts.
— Rockies are 2-3 in his starts.
— under 3-2
— allowed run in first inning: 2-5
— record in first 5 innings: 3-2
— He is 2-2, 5.02 in six starts at Arizona.

— Colorado won four of last six games.
— Rockies are 4-6 on road.
— over 9-5 last 14 games.
— scored run in first inning: 9-25
— record in first 5 innings: 11-11-3

— Davies is 1-0, 4.50 in his last three starts.
— Arizona is 2-3 in his starts.
— under 3-2
— allowed run in first inning: 2-5
— record in first 5 innings: 2-2-1
— He is 4-3, 4.50 in nine starts vs Colorado.

— Diamondbacks are 6-1 in last seven games.
— Arizona is 6-7 at home.
— over 6-2 last eight games
— scored run in first inning: 7-27
— record in first 5 innings: 10-8-9

Miami (12-14) @ San Diego (18-9)
— Lopez is 3-1, 1.61 in five starts.
— Marlins are 4-1 in his starts.
— under 3-2
— allowed run in first inning: 1-5
— record in first 5 innings: 3-1-1
— He hasn’t pitched against San Diego.

— Miami lost its last six games.
— Marlins won five of last seven road games.
— over 5-3 last eight games.
— scored run in first inning: 4-26
— record in first 5 innings: 9-13-4

— Manaea is 2-2, 3.90 in five starts.
— Padres are 2-3 in his starts
— under 3-2
— allowed run in first inning: 3-5
— record in first 5 innings: 2-2-1
— He hasn’t pitched against Miami.

— Padres won 13 of last 17 games.
— San Diego is 8-4 at home.
— over eight of last 11 games.
— scored run in first inning: 9-27
— record in first 5 innings: 18-6-3

St Louis (16-10) @ San Francisco (14-12)
— Matz is 3-0, 2.18 in his last four starts
— Cardinals are 4-1 in his starts.
— under 3-1 last four starts
— allowed run in first inning: 0-5
— record in first 5 innings: 4-1
— He is 1-0 1.88 in four starts vs San Francisco.

— Cardinals won seven of last ten games.
— St Louis is 10-6 on road.
— over 7-3 last ten games
— scored run in first inning: 11-26
— record in first 5 innings: 13-8-5

— Webb is 3-1, 2.70 in his last four starts.
— Giants are 4-1 in his starts.
— over 3-2
— allowed run in first inning: 2-5
— record in first 5 innings: 3-2
— He is 0-1, 10.80 in two starts vs St Louis.

— Giants lost six of last seven games.
— San Francisco is 6-7 at home.
— over 6-3 last nine
— scored run in first inning: 4-26
— record in first 5 innings: 12-10-4

American League
Kansas City (8-15) @ Baltimore (10-16)
— Hernandez is 0-1, 6.50 in four starts.
— Royals are 1-3 in his starts.
— over 2-2
— allowed run in first inning: 2-4
— record in first 5 innings: 0-2-2
— He is 1-1, 1.80 in two starts vs Baltimore.

— Kansas City lost five of last six games.
— Royals are 2-6 on road.
— over 7-3-1 last eleven games
— scored run in first inning: 5-23
— record in first 5 innings: 6-11-6

— Lyles is 2-1, 3.43 in his last four starts.
— Orioles are 3-2 in his starts.
— under 3-2
— allowed run in first inning: 0-5
— record in first 5 innings: 2-3
— He is 3-1, 2.20 in five starts vs Kansas City.

— Orioles are 7-10 in their last 17 games.
— Baltimore is 7-6 at home.
— over 3-2 last five games.
— scored run in first inning: 2-26
— record in first 5 innings: 6-13-7

Texas (10-14) @ New York (18-7)
— Otto is 1-0, 2.89 in his two starts.
— Rangers are 1-1 in his starts.
— under 1-1
— allowed run in first inning: 1-2
— record in first 5 innings: 1-1
— He hasn’t pitched against New York.

— Rangers won their last four games.
— Texas won five of last six road tilts.
— under 7-3-1 last 11 games
— scored run in first inning: 4-24
— record in first 5 innings: 7-10-7

— Cole is 2-0, 0.00 in his last two starts (12.2 IP).
— New York is 4-1 in his starts.
— over 3-2
— allowed run in first inning: 1-5
— record in first 5 innings: 2-0-3
— He is 5-3, 4.14 in 11 starts vs Texas.

— New York won 11 of last 12 games.
— New York is 10-3 at home.
— over 4-1 last five home
— scored run in first inning: 6-25
— record in first 5 innings: 14-5-6

White Sox (12-13) @ Boston (10-17)
— Cease is 3-1, 2.48 in five starts.
— Chicago is 4-1 in his starts.
— under 3-2
— allowed run in first inning: 0-5
— record in first 5 innings: 4-1
— He is 0-0, 11.05 in two starts vs Boston.

— White Sox won five of last six games.
— Chicago is 5-7 on road.
— under 8-2 last ten games.
— scored run in first inning: 8-25
— record in first 5 innings: 13-10-2

— Pivetta is 0-4, 7.84 in five starts.
— Red Sox are 0-5 in his starts.
— under 3-2
— allowed run in first inning: 1-5
— record in first 5 innings: 0-4-1
— He is 0-0, 2.25 in four games (2 starts) vs Chicago.

— Red Sox lost 13 of their last 18 games.
— Boston is 4-7 at home.
— under 14-5-1 last 20 games.
— scored run in first inning: 7-27
— record in first 5 innings: 8-12-7

Toronto (16-11) @ Cleveland (12-13)
— Gausman is 2-0, 1.71 in his last three starts.
— Toronto is 4-1 in his starts.
— under 4-1
— allowed run in first inning: 0-5
— record in first 5 innings: 2-1-2
— He is 2-3, 2.45 in five games (4 starts) vs Cleveland.

— Stripling is 0-0, 3.18 in four starts.
— Toronto is 2-2 in his starts.
— under 4-0
— allowed run in first inning: 1-4
— record in first 5 innings: 1-0-3
— He is 2-0, 3.55 in three games (2 starts) vs Cleveland.

— Blue Jays are 4-5 in their last nine games.
— Toronto is 6-5 on road.
— under 17-10
— scored run in first inning: 9-27
— record in first 5 innings: 10-8-9

— Bieber is 1-1, 2.33 in his last three starts.
— Cleveland is 3-2 in his starts.
— under 3-2
— allowed run in first inning: 0-5
— record in first 5 innings: 2-1-2
— He is 2-0, 2.11 in three starts vs Toronto.

— McKenzie is 1-1, 2.21 in four starts.
— Cleveland is 3-1 in his starts.
— under 2-2
— allowed run in first inning: 0-4
— record in first 5 innings: 3-1
— He is 0-1, 3.86 in one start vs Toronto.

— Guardians won five of their last six games.
— Cleveland is 2-13 if they score less than six runs.
— Cleveland is 5-4 at home.
— over 6-1 last seven home games.
— scored run in first inning: 7-25
— record in first 5 innings: 8-10-7

Detroit (8-17) @ Houston (16-11)
— Rodriguez is 0-2, 7.82 in five starts.
— Detroit is 1-4 in his starts
— over 5-0
— allowed run in first inning: 2-5
— record in first 5 innings: 0-5
— He is 1-3, 8.53 in six starts vs Houston.

— Tigers are 4-13 in last 17 games.
— Detroit is 5-11 on road.
— under 15-7 last 22 games.
— scored run in first inning: 4-25
— record in first 5 innings: 4-16-5

— Valdez is 0-2, 5.40 in his last three starts.
— Astros are 1-4 in his starts.
— under 3-1-1
— allowed run in first inning: 0-5
— record in first 5 innings: 1-2-2
— He is 0-1, 5.73 in three games (2 starts) vs Detroit.

— Astros are 10-3 in their last 13 games.
— Houston is 7-4 at home.
— under 9-2 last 11 games
— scored run in first inning: 7-27
— record in first 5 innings: 16-7-4

A’s (10-16) @ Minnesota (16-11)
— Kaprielian allowed four runs in 2 IP in his first ‘22 start.
— A’s are 0-1 in his starts.
— over 1-0
— allowed run in first inning: 0-1
— record in first 5 innings: 0-1
— He hasn’t pitched against Minnesota

— A’s are 2-10 in their last 12 games.
— Oakland is 6-7 on road.
— over 5-4 last nine games
— scored run in first inning: 6-26
— record in first 5 innings: 9-12-5

— Paddack is 1-0, 1.69 in his last two starts.
— Twins are 2-2 in his starts.
— under 3-1
— allowed run in first inning: 2-4
— record in first 5 innings: 1-2-1
— He 1-1, 5.91 in two starts vs Oakland.

— Minnesota won 12 of last 15 games.
— Twins are 9-4 at home.
— over 8-5 last 13 games
— scored run in first inning: 8-27
— record in first 5 innings: 12-9-6

Tampa Bay (17-10) @ Seattle (12-15)
— Rasmussen is 2-0, 0.82 in his last two starts.
— Rays are 4-1 in his starts.
— under 3-2
— allowed run in first inning: 0-5
— record in first 5 innings: 4-1
— He is 1-0, 0.00 in two games (1 start) vs Seattle (7.2 IP)

— Tampa Bay won 10 of its last 13 games.
— Rays are 8-3 on road.
— under 9-5 last 14 games
— scored run in first inning: 9-26
— record in first 5 innings: 12-8-6

— Gonzales is 1-3, 7.65 in five starts.
— Mariners are 1-4 in his starts.
— over 3-2
— allowed run in first inning: 2-5
— record in first 5 innings: 1-4
— He is 3-1, 3.09 in six starts vs Tampa Bay.

— Mariners lost nine of their last ten games.
— Seattle is 7-4 at home.
— over 7-4 at home.
— scored run in first inning: 10-27
— record in first 5 innings: 12-12-3

Interleague game
Washington (9-19) @ LA Angels (18-10)
— Gray is 3-1, 2.14 in his last four starts.
— Washington is 3-2 in his starts.
— Under is 3-1 in his last four starts.
— allowed run in first inning: 0-5
— record in first 5 innings: 3-2
— He hasn’t pitched against the Angels.

— Washington lost 12 of last 15 games.
— Nationals are 6-8 on road.
— over 7-2-2 last 11 road games.
— scored run in first inning: 10-28
— record in first 5 innings: 8-18-2

— Lorenzen is 3-1, 3.04 in four starts.
— Angels are 3-1 in his starts.
— Over is 2-2 in his starts.
— allowed run in first inning: 0-4
— record in first 5 innings: 3-1
— He is 0-0, 4.81 in 12 games (1 start) vs Washington

— Angels won 12 of their last 17 games.
— Angels are 9-5 at home.
— under 8-4 last 12 games
— scored run in first inning: 13-28
— record in first 5 innings: 16-9-3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2022, 06:24 AM

2022 Kentucky Oaks & Derby Wager Menu

May 5, 2022 | By 1/ST BET

SATURDAY, MAY 7 // KENTUCKY DERBY DAY

Race 1 (10:30AM ET) - WPS EX TRI SUPER DD P3 P5
Race 2 (11:01AM ET) - WPS EX TRI SUPER DD P3 P4
Race 3 (11:31AM ET) - WPS EX TRI SUPER DD P3
Race 4 (12:04PM ET) - WPS EX TRI SUPER DD P3 P5
Race 5 (12:36PM ET) - WPS EX TRI SUPER DD P3 P4
Race 6 (1:14PM ET) - WPS EX TRI SUPER DD P3 All-Stakes Dirt P5
Race 7 (1:56PM ET) - WPS EX TRI SUPER DD P3 P6 All 3YO P3
Race 8 (2:48PM ET) - WPS EX TRI SUPER DD P3 P5
Race 9 (3:40PM ET) - WPS EX TRI SUPER DD P3 P4
Race 10 (4:31PM ET) - WPS EX TRI SUPER DD P3 P5
Race 11 (5:27PM ET) - WPS EX TRI SUPER DD P3 P4
Race 12 (6:57PM ET) - WPS EX TRI SUPER DD HI5 P3
Race 13 (7:55PM ET) - WPS EX TRI SUPER DD
Race 14 (8:30PM ET) - WPS EX TRI SUPER

Note: Trifecta and Superfecta wagering on all races that qualify under Kentucky statutes. Daily Double and Super High-5 wagers are $1 minimum straight bets. On Oaks Day and Derby Day the Superfecta is a $1.00 minimum wager. Trifecta, Pick-3, Pick-4 and Pick-5 wagers are $.50 minimum straight bets. The Derby City-6 is a $.20 minimum wager. The Exacta is a $2.00 minimum straight bet with $1.00 boxes and wheels. The special Oaks Day/Derby Day Pick-6 is a $2.00 minimum wager and will be a separate event from the regular Oaks Day card.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2022, 06:24 AM

AI Picks: Kentucky Derby

May 5, 2022 | By 1/ST BET

You can use the automated handicapping factors, or create your own factor filters to incorporate angles you prefer. Full-card selections can be found in the 1/ST BET app. We’ve included the official track morning line odds with each runner.

Churchill Downs // Saturday Race 12 // 6:57 pm ET // $3 million Grade 1 Kentucky Derby

#12 Taiba (12-1) // 26%W
#10 Zandon (3-1) // 12%W
#3 Epicenter (7-2) // 11%W
#1 Mo Donegal (10-1) // 5%W

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2022, 06:25 AM

Kentucky Derby Notes: Wednesday, May 4, 2022

May 4, 2022 | By 1/ST BET

CROWN PRIDE STREAKS BULLET HALF-MILE; TAIBA BLOWS OUT THREE-EIGHTHS

LOUISVILLE, KY (Wednesday, May 4, 2022) – Teruya Yoshida’s Crown Pride (JPN), with Derby rider Christophe Lemaire aboard, blazed through a half-mile breeze in :46.60 over a fast track Wednesday morning under overcast skies.

Working on his own, Crown Pride produced fractions of :12.40, :24.20, :35.60 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:00. The move was the fastest of nine at the distance for the morning.

Working shortly after Crown Pride was Zedan Racing Stables’ Santa Anita Derby (GI) winner Taiba who blew out three furlongs in :38.40 and galloped out a half-mile in :52.60.

BARBER ROAD – William Simon’s Barber Road, most recently second in the Arkansas Derby (GI), changed his training schedule slightly Wednesday, going out to gallop at 6:30 a.m. with regular rider Elexander Aguilar aboard rather than waiting until the 7:30 a.m. training time set aside of Derby and Oaks horses.

“He likes to go out early,” Simon said. “He gets keyed up and wants to get out there, then he comes back and takes his usual nap.”

Barber Road is named for the road in rural North Carolina where Simon’s wife, Tammy, grew up and that is named after her grandfather, Clarence. The horse is their first Kentucky Derby starter.

“This is an incredible honor,” Simon said. “It’s a blessing. You can’t make up a story like this. He’s a $15,000 weanling purchase that decided he wanted to be a champion.”

CHARGE IT, MO DONEGAL, PIONEER OF MEDINA – The Todd Pletcher Derby trio of Charge It (handled by Hector Ramos), Mo Donegal (Amelia Green) and Pioneer of Medina (Humberto Zamora) once again took advantage of the special 7:30-7:45 training period at Churchill Downs to stretch their legs and do some schooling four days out from their dates in the Kentucky Derby.

With the Hall of Fame conditioner looking on from trackside, the threesome went through solid gallops of a bit more than a mile and a quarter, then headed up the mile chute for a session with the starting gate.

“They were all good at the gate,” Pletcher said. “They went right in.”

On Saturday their gate positions will be No. 8 for Charge It, No. 1 for Mo Donegal and No. 11 for Pioneer of Medina.

The trainer has scheduled a further bit of educational time for the colts this afternoon with paddock schooling with the horses in today’s sixth race.

CLASSIC CAUSEWAY – Kentucky West Racing and Clarke Cooper’s Classic Causeway galloped 1 � miles Wednesday at 7:30 a.m.

“So many people have just been focused on his last race in the Florida Derby but if you draw a line through it, he belongs with a lot of others in this field,” trainer Brian Lynch said.

Julien Leparoux rides the speedy Classic Causeway in the Kentucky Derby.

“I don’t think he necessarily needs to be on the lead,” Lynch said. “He’s fast but he’s able to track just off horses.”

CROWN PRIDE (JPN) – Teruya Yoshida’s UAE Derby (GII) winner Crown Pride (JPN) started his morning jogging in the mile chute under Masa Matsuda during the first harrow break of the morning.

Once the tractors left the track, jockey Christophe Lemaire jumped aboard to guide Crown Pride through a half-mile work that was timed in :46.60.

Working on his own, Crown Pride produced fractions of :12.40, :24.20, :35.60 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:00. The move was the fastest of nine at the distance for the morning.

Following the breeze, Lemaire took Crown Pride back to the mile chute where Matsuda again took the reins for the leisurely trip back to the Quarantine Barn.

“I have worked him before in Japan and I very happy with his work today and with the way he changed leads. He did it very well,” said Lemaire, who is back at Churchill Downs for the first time since he rode in the 2010 and 2011 Breeders’ Cups.

Lemaire said he has watched video of recent runnings of the Kentucky Derby and the huge fields that accompany the race.

“The start is very important and then it is all about the fractions,” Lemaire said. “You ride him to where he is comfortable and then see what happens.”

Trainer Koichi Shintani was all smiles after the work by Crown Pride who is scheduled to have a walk day Thursday.

CYBERKNIFE, TAWNY PORT, ZOZOS – Trainer Brad Cox sent all three of his Kentucky Derby hopefuls to the track during the special 7:30 a.m. training period and all three galloped 1 � miles with their regular exercise riders and visited the starting gate. Arkansas Derby (GI) winner Cyberknife was ridden by Katie Talbot, Lexington Stakes (GIII) winner Tawny Point had Edvin Vargas aboard and Louisiana Derby (GII) runner-up Zozos was ridden by Kelvin Perez.

“I’m happy with all three of them,” Cox said. “They’re doing good.”

EPICENTER – Coming out to the track later than usual Wednesday, Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Epicenter jogged down the backstretch and walked back during the 7:30 a.m. Derby and Oaks training time.

Jockey Joel Rosario made a visit to the Asmussen barn afterward to see his Derby mount. On board for all Epicenter’s 3-year-old races, the 2021 Eclipse Award-winning jockey has consistently been Asmussen’s go-to jockey for most of 2022.

“It seems like [Epicenter] has no problem with anything,” Rosario said. “He has won on the lead, he has won coming from behind horses, so we’ll see how he handles it. He has matured it seems. In the beginning I had to ride him a little more. But now he’s running and grabs the bridle a bit more, it’s what you want to see.”

Asked about their strategy breaking from post three, Rosario joked: “Maybe we’ll just keep it a secret. We’ll get a good break and see what the horse wants to do. He always breaks well out of the gate, so we’ll see how he does on Saturday.”

ETHEREAL ROAD – Aaron Sones and Julie Gilbert’s Ethereal Road galloped 1 � miles during the special 7:30 a.m. training time Wednesday.

Ethereal Road was the last horse to make the Kentucky Derby field, not becoming an official starter until late Monday morning, but Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who already has four Derby trophies, had been making a case for several weeks why the Quality Road colt deserved a shot in the 20-horse field.

“I think he has chance to get a piece of it because of his style,” Lukas said. “He’s one of the few horses in the 20 that has that style of making a half-mile run. Some of them can’t even make a quarter-mile run. I’ve learned in all my years of being in this, that if you can make a sustained long run, you have a chance to get a piece of it.”

HAPPY JACK – The Oxbow colt Happy Jack followed his usual Derby pattern Wednesday morning at Churchill during the 7:30-7:45 special training period for Derby and Oaks runners.

Exercise rider Tony Romero galloped the well-made bay through a mile and a half in good fashion, then headed back to Barn 41.

Trainer Doug O’Neill watched the proceedings from the grandstand, but his longtime right-hand-man, Leandro Mora, oversaw the backside business and stated all was well.

“’Jack’ is happy,” Mora said. “And when ‘Jack” is happy, we’re all happy.”

Rafael Bejarano has the call Saturday on Happy Jack for the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby.

MESSIER, TAIBA – Trainer Tim Yakteen had his two Derby colts – the Empire Maker bay Messier and the Gun Runner chestnut Taiba – on the track for the special Derby/Oaks training period from 7:30-7:45 a.m. Wednesday at Churchill Downs.

Messier, with exercise rider Beto Gomez up, went about his usual business and galloped a mile and a half on a cool, overcast Louisville morning.

But with Taiba, the Santa Anita Derby (GI) winner, the conditioner put a wrinkle into the proceedings and pulled out a stratagem from days gone by that he first saw when he worked on the shedrow of one of the game’s greats, Charlie Whittingham.

Yakteen deputized crack rider Joel Rosario – an old friend from the jockey’s days in California – to take a leg up on his colt for his morning exercises. He also put a pair of blinkers on his lightly raced ace (“The blinkers were just something to help him focus; he doesn’t need them to race,” the trainer noted.), then had the two backtrack to the seven-furlong pole before turning to gallop to the three-eights where they broke off and went through a three-furlong breeze.

“I don’t know how fast he went,” Rosario said afterward at Barn 37. “But I do know he felt good.”

Yakteen had spent a half dozen years in the early 1990s working and learning under Hall of Famer Whittingham, who made it SOP to give his stakes horses a short blowout in the days just ahead of a race.

“We blew him out three furlongs this morning,” Yakteen said back at the barn. “Nothing special; I got him in :38 and two (the Churchill clockers did likewise). It was just what we wanted. I’m following the same pattern we used coming up to the Santa Anita Derby. He blew out there, too.”

In the Santa Anita Derby – only the second start of the precocious colt’s career – he came running late under Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith to beat stablemate Messier by 2 1/4 lengths.

RATTLE N ROLL, SMILE HAPPY, TIZ THE BOMB – Trainer Kenny McPeek had Magdalena Racing’s Tiz the Bomb and Lucky Seven Stable’s Smile Happy on the track Wednesday, for maintenance mile-and-a-half gallops. Edwardo Ruvalcaba was on Tiz the Bomb, while Danny Ramsey was aboard Smile Happy.

“All routine,” McPeek said. “We backed up, schooled in the paddock, then stood in the gate at the end of the gallop.”

Also out at the time reserved for Oaks and Derby horses for a gallop was also eligible Rattle N Roll, with James Graham, who will ride him Saturday if he makes the field.

Tiz the Bomb comes into the Derby off a win in the Grade III Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park, while Smile Happy had strong seconds in the Grade I Blue Grass at Keeneland to Zandon, and in the Grade II Risen Star to Epicenter.

“Smile Happy is doing super, so strong,” McPeek said. “He wanted to go around again.”

Smile Happy starts from the No. 5 post in the Derby with Corey Lanerie, while Tiz the Bomb, with Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard, drew the No. 9 post.

RICH STRIKE – RED TR-Racing’s Rich Strike galloped a mile and a half under Gabriel Lagunes and is scheduled to school in the paddock this afternoon early in the 10-race program.

Trained by Eric Reed, Rich Strike is the first also-eligible for the Derby and would not one defection by Friday’s 9 a.m. scratch time to make the field.

SIMPLIFICATION – Tami Bobo’s Simplification visited the starting gate and then galloped a mile and a half under Ismal Ramirez for trainer Antonio Sano.

For Sano, who has 72 horses stabled in South Florida, this is his second shot in the Kentucky Derby having seen his Gunnevera finish seventh behind Always Dreaming in the 2017 Run for the Roses.

“I am taking the same approach as I did with Gunnevera,” Sano said. “We got here about eight or nine days before the race and did all of the major work in Florida.”

There is one small difference this time. In 2017, Gunnevera was the only horse Sano brought to Louisville but accompanying Simplification on the van ride to Kentucky was the 3-year-old maiden Logico who is entered in the first race Saturday.

“He knows some of the Derby horses,” Sano’s son and assistant Alessandro said. “He has run against Charge It and White Abarrio.”

SUMMER IS TOMORROW – Michael Hilary Burke and Negar Burke’s Summer Is Tomorrow visited the starting gate and galloped a mile and a half under Heinz Runge. Summer Is Tomorrow is scheduled to school in the paddock this afternoon.

Runner-up in the UAE Derby (GII), Summer Is Tomorrow will be making his first start outside of Dubai in the Kentucky Derby. In his seven-race career, Summer Is Tomorrow has not raced on an off track, a surface he may face Saturday with rain in the forecast for the weekend.

“He has been on an off track and handled it well in training,” trainer Bhupat Seemar said.

WHITE ABARRIO – C2 Racing Stable and La Milagrosa Stable’s White Abarrio was again the standout on the track Wednesday morning — for his dazzling appearance. The son of Spendthrift Farm sire Race Day, with his brilliant gray coat, had the cameras clicking during the morning workouts. He’s one of three gray colts in the field of 20, but he trends more to gray than Barber Road or Charge It.

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. had the Grade I Florida Derby and Grade III Holy Bull winner out Wednesday with exercise rider Vincente Gudiel on a track drying out from a rainy Tuesday. In the 2020 Derby, Joseph made his first training appearance with NY Traffic, finishing eighth at 12-1.

“He’s doing well,” Joseph said of White Abarrio. “He had a good gallop of a mile today and all is in order. He’s shown class from Day One. He won his debut, which made the owners buy him, and he’s been doing great all the way.”

ZANDON – Jeff Drown’s Blue Grass Stakes (GI) winner Zandon galloped 1 � miles Wednesday morning.

“He was so visually impressive in the Blue Grass and he’s continued to do very well since arriving at Churchill Downs,” trainer Chad Brown said.

THE KENTUCKY DERBY FIELD – Here’s the field from the rail out for the Grade I, $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI): Mo Donegal (Irad Ortiz Jr.); Happy Jack (Rafael Bejarano); Epicenter (Joel Rosario); Summer Is Tomorrow (Mickael Barzalona); Smile Happy (Corey Lanerie); Messier (John Velazquez); Crown Pride (JPN) (Christophe Lemaire); Charge It (Luis Saez); Tiz the Bomb (Brian Hernandez Jr.); Zandon (Flavien Prat); Pioneer of Medina (Joe Bravo); Taiba (Mike Smith); Simplification (Jose Ortiz); Barber Road (Rey Gutierrez); White Abarrio (Tyler Gaffalione); Cyberknife (Florent Geroux); Classic Causeway (Julien Leparoux); Tawny Port (Ricardo Santana Jr.); Zozos (Manny Franco); Ethereal Road (Luis Contreras). Also Eligibles: Rich Strike (Sonny Leon); Rattle N Roll (James Graham).

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2022, 06:25 AM

Kentucky Derby Workouts: XBTV Analysts Updates

May 3, 2022 | By 1/ST BET

In addition to the multitude of workout analyses provided in the 1/ST BET & Xpressbet Kentucky Derby Wager Guide, our XBTV racing analysts have provided some updated notes from the training sessions in recent days.

MICHELLE YU

Zandon: His last 5f solo breeze looked FANTASTIC. Really reaching out well to the wire and beyond with a lovely stride. I love how controlled this colt is, you can tell he really wants to do more, but is so kind to listen to Prat who was aboard for the move. If you weren't a fan of him before, you have to be now.

Smile Happy and Tiz the Bomb: McPeek pair was supposed to go in tandem an easy half-mile, but the plan didn't come to fruition when the always-eager Tiz the Bomb built up a large lead under BJ Hernandez and Corey Lanerie on Smile Happy opted to hang back off that mate. Once allowed into stride, Tiz relaxed but maintained the advantage for the work. A warm-looking Smile Happy closed a large portion of ground late and with no ask to be the better of the pair in my opinion.

Cynberknife and Zozos: Cox barnmates with a very nice 6-furlong move. Cyberknife started behind and drew even without being asked a drop. Florent had a snug hold for the entirety of the work and easily could have gone faster or breezed by. As it was, this supposed, stamina-type move at the 6 panels was not even a touch testing for the temperamental chestnut Cyberknife. You couldn't ask for a better work for an improving horse coming into his biggest day.

ZOE CADMAN

Epicenter: This time working inside a new workmate in Alejandro, a maiden winner at Oaklawn, this week's drill had a more tepid pace than last week. I love the energy that Epicenter shows here and my only critique is he appears to be lugging out going into and coming out of the turn. Now this could well be attributed to the fact that the rider has a massive hold of the horse and he wants to do more. That being said, he was straight and true down the lane and galloped out very well, indeed. But this is the first time I have seen him lean out even a little bit, raising some ??? Still using in top 3 ... in no particular order Zandon, Epicenter and Mo Donegal.

MILLIE BALL
Messier: He came out of his swift Santa Anita work well and appears to be acting sharp at Churchhill Downs, bouncing off the track after a gallop Tuesday morning. Trainer Tim Yakteen told me, “He got over the track in great shape this morning - I’m vey happy with him.”

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2022, 06:25 AM

Kentucky Derby Notes: Tuesday, May 3, 2022

May 3, 2022 | By 1/ST BET

WHITE ABARRIO MAKES FIRST DERBY WEEK APPEARANCE BENEATH THE TWIN SPIRES

LOUISVILLE, KY (Tuesday, May 3, 2022) – C2 Racing Stable and La Milagrosa Stable’s White Abarrio made his first appearance on the Churchill Downs racetrack since last November when he jogged Tuesday morning over the sloppy surface.

Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., White Abarrio finished third in the Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) two days after Thanksgiving last fall. He returned to the Derby City early Monday morning from his South Florida base.

The final scheduled work of the week is planned for Wednesday morning from Teruya Yoshida’s UAE Derby (GII) winner Crown Pride (JPN) with jockey Christophe Lemaire scheduled to be aboard.

BARBER ROAD – William Simon’s Barber Road, who is the first Kentucky Derby starter for his owner and trainer John Ortiz, galloped one mile and visited the paddock Tuesday during the special 7:30 a.m. training time.

“He’s doing great. He’s loving this. He was enjoying himself in the mud. The track isn’t a concern,” Ortiz said. “He just walked around the paddock like it was nothing. He’s ready. I was more concerned with the pony than him this morning.”

CHARGE IT, MO DONEGAL, PIONEER OF MEDINA – The weather turned just before 5 a.m. at Churchill Downs Tuesday and trainer Todd Pletcher took notice.

“I was thinking about taking my Derby and Oaks horses out first thing (5:15) to beat the rain,” the Hall of Fame conditioner said, “but there was too much lightning in the sky for my liking. So we waited for the 7:30 special training period.”

That turned out to be the right call, for sure.

His stable’s trio of Derby colts – the roan Charge It (with exercise rider Hector Ramos up), the Wood Memorial (GII) winner Mo Donegal (Amelia Green) and the Pioneerof the Nile colt Pioneer of Medina (Carlos Perez) – were among the very first to step foot on the wet surface when it opened at 7:30 after the rain had ceased and the lightning had gone away. They each galloped for a mile and one-sixteenth, a shorter distance than their usual routine.

“We wanted to get them out and back safely this morning,” Pletcher said.

CLASSIC CAUSEWAY – Kentucky West Racing and Clarke Cooper’s Classic Causeway had a one-mile jog early Tuesday morning under trainer Brian Lynch’s exercise rider Calamity Compton.

Lynch reported there are some minor equipment changes that Classic Causeway will race with in the Derby, including a new bridle with an adjusted nose strip.

Julien Leparoux has the call.

CROWN PRIDE (JPN) – With trainer Koichi Shintani looking on, Teruya Yoshida’s Crown Pride (JPN) jogged for 10 minutes in the mile chute and then galloped the Kentucky Derby distance of a mile and quarter under Masa Matsuda.

“From Dubai (where he won the Grade II UAE Derby on March 26), he has really improved and he likes this track,” Shintani said. “He will have a fast work in the morning and (jockey) Christophe Lemaire will be on him.”

Lemaire, who most recently rode at Churchill Downs during the 2010 and 2011 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, arrived in Louisville at 3 this morning.

Crown Pride trained this morning over a track that was drenched from a steady downpour that began at 5 o’clock. Crown Pride’s only defeat in four career starts came in the Hyacinth at Tokyo in February over a muddy track.

With thunderstorms in the forecast for later in the week, an off track for Derby 148 is possible.

“In Japan, when the track is muddy a horse’s foot can sink into the surface,” Shintani said. “This track, there is more cushion and it is safer. I don’t see that as being a problem.”

Japan is 13 hours ahead of Louisville, so when the horses go in the gate for the Run for the Roses it will be almost 8 Sunday morning in Tokyo.

CYBERKNIFE, TAWNY PORT, ZOZOS – Trainer Brad Cox called an audible because of the weather and sent all three of his Kentucky Derby hopefuls to the track early with Zozos, under exercise rider Kelvin Perez, heading out in the first set to gallop 1 � miles. Arkansas Derby (GI) winner Cyberknife followed in the second set with his regular rider Katie Talbot aboard, while Tawny Port went out in the third set with Edvin Vargas handling the riding duties.

The stablemates will be close together when they enter the Kentucky Derby starting gate on Saturday. Cyberknife drew post 16, Tawny Port drew post 18 and Zozos drew post 19.

“I’m good with where they are starting from,” Cox said. “The post doesn’t really matter with Tawny Port. Zozos has a little more speed so he’ll be able to get out of there. Cyberknife is a quick gate horse, so he should he fine. He has one speed horse to his outside (Classic Causeway) and that should help him.

“If we get a wet track on Saturday, I’m fine with that. We train over a wet track all the time and they all handle it good. So far so good, I’m happy with all of them. The key is getting a good trip. I expect all of them to make a good showing.”

Cox said his horses will school in the gate tomorrow and will more than likely go out during the special 7:30 a.m. training time.

EPICENTER – Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Epicenter, the 7-2 second choice on the morning line for Derby 148, returned to the track at his usual 5:30 a.m. time to gallop. The morning rains had turned the track muddy, but that did not stop him from impressing his trainer, Steve Asmussen.

“He is a horse that has not skipped training days in the mud but he has not performed in a race (in the mud),” Asmussen said. “My favorite thing today about Epicenter is how consistent he has been, how he has looked (in the mornings). I think he looked the same on the racetrack today, four days before the Derby, as he did at New Orleans this winter. Very professional. Very consistent with his temperament and his stride. We are just wanting more of the same, just a little faster which is what he has done in every one of his starts this year and there is no reason he shouldn’t carry on.”

Monday’s draw was not without drama for Epicenter’s connections. With two pills to pull, post three and post six remained, and once again, Asmussen’s highly touted Derby entry drew an inside post, the three.

“I’m not crazy about the three hole with him,” Asmussen said. “There is a lot of pace to his immediate outside. You just want (to get) away from there fast. You don’t want to get shuffled back, covered up to a position he is not familiar with.”

In 2011, Nehro broke from post 19 and finished second with Animal Kingdom passing him coming for home.

“In the Nehro year I did not pick up Animal Kingdom,” Asmussen said. “We looked at [Nehro] and it looked like he would get by Shackleford. I glanced back and did not pick up Animal Kingdom, and for that split second, I thought I had won the Derby.”

ETHEREAL ROAD – Aaron Sones and Julie Gilbert’s Ethereal Road had his first gallop Tuesday morning as an official Kentucky Derby starter after becoming the last horse to make the 20-horse field with the defection of Un Ojo. He galloped 1 � miles during the special 7:30 a.m. training time.

Ethereal Road will be the 50th Kentucky Derby starter for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who already has four Derby trophies. His most recent starter was Bravazo, who finished sixth in 2018.

“I guess getting 50 horses qualified for the Kentucky Derby is an achievement,” Lukas said. “I’m real tickled to get this horse qualified because this is a new client. He wanted to get in and have this experience, so I’m happy for him (Aaron Sones). It’s important to get them this experience because it’s what it is all about.

“Ethereal Road is doing good. He’s has a good of couple weeks here. I was surprised how well he handled the wet track this morning. He did really good out there. He got over it awfully nice.”

HAPPY JACK – Trainer Doug O’Neill had his colt Happy Jack on the racetrack for the 7:30-7:45 special training period for Derby and Oaks horses. The Calumet Farm homebred by Preakness winner Oxbow had veteran exercise rider Tony Romero as his pilot.

The two went to stand in the starting gate in the mile chute, then galloped a mile and a quarter.

“He was good this morning,” Romero said back at Barn 41. “He was nice and quiet.”

O’Neill looked on at the exercise and was pleased by the results.

“Touch wood,” the conditioner said doing just that. “It’s all good so far.”

MESSIER, TAIBA – Trainer Tim Yakteen has settled in nicely for his first go-round at the Kentucky Derby and had a good battle plan in place for his two Derby colts -- the Empire Maker offspring Messier and the son of Gun Runner named Taiba.

Tuesday morning was full of “Kentucky spring sunshine” with the rain coming down and the lightning flashing all around. It was wondered if his California-based twosome might be affected by the wet track conditions, something that is more the exception than the rule out his way.

“No, they’ll be fine,” Yakteen said. “We had a pretty good rain and an off track at Santa Anita a couple of weeks back and they handled it well. No problems today.”

At the start of the special Derby/Oaks training period at 7:30, the track was wet but the rain and lightning had abated and Yakteen gave exercise rider Beto Gomez a leg up on Messier in the shedrow of Barn 37. The duo went to the racetrack and headed to the mile chute where the good-sized Canadian-bred stood nicely in the starting gate for him. They then headed to the main track and galloped a mile and a quarter.

From there the two walked back to Barn 37 and Yakteen was ready to go with a quick shedrow leg-up transfer of Gomez from Messier to Taiba without missing a beat. The rider went trackside and repeated the same program with his chestnut charge and all went well again.

“Things are good,” Yakteen said. “Thumbs up.”

The trainer scheduled his two horses to paddock school today during the third race.

RATTLE N ROLL, SMILE HAPPY, TIZ THE BOMB – Trainer Kenny McPeek had Magdalena Racing’s Tiz the Bomb and Lucky Seven Stable’s Smile Happy on the track Tuesday, galloping a mile and a half. Edwardo Ruvalcaba was on Tiz the Bomb, while Danny Ramsey was aboard Smile Happy.

Tiz the Bomb galloped in the company of Oaks filly Cocktail Moments, with Albert Kelly, who was outside of him on the sealed track. Smile Happy started several lengths behind the other two.

“It was a routine day, and everyone came out of it just fine,” said Greg Geier, assistant to McPeek.

Smile Happy starts from the No. 5 post in the Derby with Corey Lanerie, while Tiz the Bomb, with Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard, drew the No. 9 post.

Rattle N Roll is the second also-eligible for the Derby.

RICH STRIKE – RED TR-Racing’s Rich Strike, the first horse on the also-eligible list for Kentucky Derby 148, visited the starting gate in the mile chute and then galloped a mile and a quarter under Gabriel Lagunes for trainer Eric Reed.

SIMPLIFICATION – Tami Bobo’s Simplification galloped a mile and a half under exercise rider Ismal Ramirez for trainer Antonio Sano.

The Fountain of Youth winner drew post 13 for Saturday’s Run for the Roses and will be ridden by Jose Ortiz.

“The 13 is perfect …a little outside and toward the middle,” Sano said. “I didn’t want to be inside.”

Simplification has not raced on an off track but Sano feels from the colt’s works that a muddy surface would not be a problem.

Simplification had his final work for the Derby Friday at Gulfstream Park with a bullet five furlongs in 1:00.44.

SUMMER IS TOMORROW – Michael Hilary Burke and Negar Burke’s Summer Is Tomorrow had a scheduled walk day Tuesday following a half-mile breeze in :49.20 on Monday morning.

Runner-up in the UAE Derby (GII) in his most recent start, Summer Is Tomorrow will be ridden Saturday by Mickael Barzalona and break from post position four.

“Perfect,” said Caroline Seemar, wife of trainer Bhupat Seemar, of the spot in the gate.

Summer Is Tomorrow is scheduled to school in the paddock this afternoon with horses in the eighth race.

WHITE ABARRIO – Settling in after vanning to Louisville from Gulfstream Park, C2 Racing Stable and La Milagrosa Stable’s White Abarrio was on the track for the first time Tuesday.

“He jogged a mile today and did fine,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “He’s going to gallop every day, and go to the gate. How about this Kentucky weather? You’re always hoping for a fast track for the Derby, and hopefully it won’t be sloppy.”

“They say grays like the slop,” Joseph said of White Abarrio, a gray colt. “So hopefully, if it is sloppy, this gray will do great.”

ZANDON – Jeff Drown’s Blue Grass Stakes (GI) winner Zandon jogged Tuesday over the sloppy surface.

Zandon drew post 10 for the Kentucky Derby.

“I wanted him to draw toward the middle of the starting gate and we got just that,” trainer Chad Brown said. “Training wise we’ve done most of our serious work and he’s fit for Saturday.”

THE KENTUCKY DERBY FIELD – Here’s the field from the rail out for the Grade I, $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI): Mo Donegal (Irad Ortiz Jr.); Happy Jack (Rafael Bejarano); Epicenter (Joel Rosario); Summer Is Tomorrow (Mickael Barzalona); Smile Happy (Corey Lanerie); Messier (John Velazquez); Crown Pride (JPN) (Christophe Lemaire); Charge It (Luis Saez); Tiz the Bomb (Brian Hernandez Jr.); Zandon (Flavien Prat); Pioneer of Medina (Joe Bravo); Taiba (Mike Smith); Simplification (Jose Ortiz); Barber Road (Rey Gutierrez); White Abarrio (Tyler Gaffalione); Cyberknife (Florent Geroux); Classic Causeway (Julien Leparoux); Tawny Port (Ricardo Santana Jr.); Zozos (Manny Franco); Ethereal Road (Luis Contreras). Also Eligibles: Rich Strike (Sonny Leon); Rattle N Roll (James Graham).
__________________

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2022, 06:26 AM

Jeremy Plonk: Kentucky Derby Post Position Draw Rapid Reaction

May 2, 2022 | By Jeremy Plonk

A total of 22 runners entered the 148th Run for the Roses at the post-position draw held this afternoon at Churchill Downs with a capacity field of 20 starters. Race favorites, Louisiana Derby winner Epicenter and Blue Grass victor Zandon, will begin from posts 3 and 10, respectively.

The impact of the post-position draw has been slightly lessened with the advent of the 20-horse starting gate in 2019. The new gate creates more breathing room from the inside and outside rails among the crowded lineup. Still, no Derby winner won from the rail since Ferdinand in 1986 and from post 2 since Real Quiet in 1998. Posts 17-20 account for only 4 victories (one of those via disqualification) since a starting gate was first used in 1930.

Expected pacemakers in this year’s Derby are Tampa Bay Derby winner Classic Causeway (post 17) and United Arab Emirates Derby runner-up Summer is Tomorrow (post 4). Reaction to their draws. That they are inside-and-outside at near extremes, the pace could ratchet up a notch as they hustle for position.

Californians Taiba and Messier drew posts 12 and 6 and should be forwardly placed in the early hunt. Japan’s representative, Crown Pride, begins from post 7. He had a gate training incident where he took a left-hand turn and dumped his rider, so perhaps caution be to Messier.

Trainers Brad Cox (Cyberknife-16, Zozos-19, Tawny Port-18) and Todd Pletcher (Mo Donegal-1, Charge It-8 and Pioneer of Medina-11) make up 30 percent of the field with a half-dozen entrants. Cox won last year’s Derby when Mandaloun was promoted to victory following the medication disqualification of Medina Spirit. Pletcher is a two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer (2010 Super Saver, 2017 Always Dreaming). Mo Donegal will have to overcome a rail that hasn’t won on the first Saturday in May in 36 years.

Post time for the Kentucky Derby will be 5:57 pm ET as Race 12 of 14 on a card that begins at 10:30 am ET. Advance wagering on the Kentucky Derby begins Friday at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet.

Kentucky Derby 148 Field and Morning Line Odds from Mike Battaglia

1. Mo Donegal // Irad Ortiz Jr. // Todd Pletcher // 10-1
2. Happy Jack // Rafael Bejarano // Doug O’Neill // 30-1
3. Epicenter // Joel Rosario // Steve Asmussen // 7-2
4. Summer Is Tomorrow // Mickael Barzalona // Bhupat Seemar // 30-1
5. Smile Happy // Corey Lanerie // Kenny McPeek // 20-1
6. Messier // John Velazquez // Tim Yakteen // 8-1
7. Crown Pride // Christophe Lemiere // Koichi Shintani // 20-1
8. Charge It // Luis Saez // Todd Pletcher // 20-1
9. Tiz the Bomb // Brian Hernandez Jr. // Kenny McPeek // 30-1
10. Zandon // Flavien Prat // Chad Brown // 3-1
11. Pioneer of Medina // Joe Bravo // Todd Pletcher // 30-1
12. Taiba // Mike Smith // Tim Yakteen // 12-1
13. Simplification // Jose Ortiz // Antonio Sano // 20-1
14. Barber Road // Reylu Gutierrez // John Ortiz // 30-1
15. White Abarrio // Tyler Gaffalione // Saffie Joseph Jr. // 10-1
16. Cyberknife // Florent Geroux // Brad Cox // 20-1
17. Classic Causeway // Julien Leparoux // Brian Lynch // 30-1
18. Tawny Port // Ricardo Santana Jr. // Brad Cox // 30-1
19. Zozos // Manny Franco // Brad Cox // 20-1
20. Ethereal Road // Luis Contreras // D. Wayne Lukas // 30-1
21. Rich Strike // Sonny Leon // Eric Reed // 30-1
22. Rattle N Roll // James Graham // Kenny McPeek // 30-1

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2022, 06:26 AM

Top Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, May 7, 2022
By J.W. Paine in Horse Racing

It’s finally Kentucky Derby Day! While we dodge the insane hats and all the attempts to sell us yet another mint julep (we didn’t want the first three, either, but we took them just to be polite), let’s take a look at my picks for each of the top horse races on the Saturday card.

We’ll finish up, of course, with the “Fastest Two Minutes in Sports”—the 2022 Kentucky Derby. And if you don’t mind, while you’re reading on, I’ll just help myself to another mint julep.

Oh, and before I forget, you can get the full odds on all the horses racing at Churchill Downs with a quick visit to one of our top horse betting sites.

Good luck!
My Saturday Picks for Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs
Race five —Churchill Distaff Turf Mile S. (Grade II)

This is a $500,000 purse, one-mile turf run for fillies and mares four years old and upward.

While Speak of the Devil—the 2/1 morning-line favorite—looks interesting and will certainly be a serious contender, the French import has not raced in the States, and I have my doubts she’ll be up to the competition here.

So my two dollars is on the second-favored Lady Speightspeare, ridden by Luis Saez.

This four-year-old chestnut filly moneyed seven of her eight career starts, winning four. Among those wins were the Natalma Stakes (Grade I) in late 2020 and the Bessarabian Stakes (Grade II) last November, both at Woodbine.

Lady Speightspeare notably finished third in the Jenny Wiley Stakes (Grade I) at Keenland last month.

Thoroughbred Horse Racing Hall of Famer Roger L. Attfield trains Lady Speightspeare for owner-breeder Charles E. Fipke.
Race six — Overnight Stakes

This is a $160,000 purse, one-mile dirt run for four-year-olds and upward.

As unimpressive as this 12-horse field is, I’m going to buy a win ticket on the third-favored entry (at 6/1) Necker Island, piloted by Mitchell Murrill.

This five-year-old moneyed 11 of his 22 career starts, winning six, including the Sunshine Stakes (Listed) last November here at Churchill Downs. He’s posted triple-digit speed figures for his last six races.

Chris A. Hartman trains Necker Island for The Scherr Boys.
Race seven — Pat Day Mile Stakes (Grade II)

This is a $500,000 purse, one-mile dirt track race for three-year-olds. I have to agree with the morning line hear: Bet on the 2/1 favorite, Jack Christopher, with Jose L. Ortiz in the irons.

This chestnut colt won both of his career starts—his maiden last August at Saratoga and the Champagne Stakes (Grade I) at Belmont Park in October.
While he’ll see some competition here, Jack Christopher should easily reach the winner’s circle.

Multiple Eclipse Award winner Chad C. Brown trains Jack Christopher for owners Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister.
Race eight — Derby City Distaff Stakes (Grade I)

This is a $750,000 purse, seven-furlong dirt track run for fillies and mares four years old and upward.

This race isn’t as clear-cut a victory for the favorite as it might appear, but I’m inclined to go along with the morning-line here: Bet on the 3/1 favorite, Just One Time, with Flavien Prat in the irons.

This four-year-old chestnut filly finished in the money six of her seven career starts, winning all six. Her most recent wins were the Inside Information Stakes (Grade II) at Gulfstream Park in January and the Madison Stakes (Grade I) at Keeneland just last month.

Who’s got this horse race? Just One Time’s got this horse race.

Brad H. Cox trains Just One Time for owners Warriors Reward, LLC and Commonwealth New Era Racing.
Race nine — American Turf Stakes (Grade II)

This is a $500,000 purse, 1-1/16 miles turf race for three-year-olds. The morning line picks the winner here: 7/2 favorite Sy Dog, ridden by ace jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr.

This three-year-old dark bay colt won all three of his career starts, including his initial maiden last October, the Central Park Stakes (Black Type) in November at Aqueduct, and the Transylvania Stakes (Grade III) at Keeneland last month.

Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup veteran H. Graham Motion trains Sy Dog for Head of Plains Partners LLC.
Race ten — Churchill Downs Stakes (Grade I)

This is a $750,000 purse, seven-furlong dirt track run for four-year-olds and upward. Once again, the morning-line steals my thunder by naming my pick moments before I do: Bet the 5/2 favorite, Jackie’s Warrior, with Joel Rosario in the irons.

This four-year-old bay colt has been a success story his entire career, and he’s certainly the standout in this talented eight-horse field. For the record, Jackie’s Warrior moneyed eleven of his 13 career starts, winning nine. That includes his most recent race—the Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (Grade III) at Oaklawn Park in April.
With the exception of his maiden run, Jackie’s Warrior has competed entirely in graded stakes races. Even without checking my math, I think you’ll agree that this is his race to lose.

Steven M. Asmussen trains Jackie’s Warrior for owners J. Kirk Robison and Judy Robison.
Race eleven — Turf Classic Stakes (Grade I)

This is a $1,000,000 purse, 1-1/8 miles turf run for four-year-olds and upward.

While the French underdog Tribhuvan might provide some competition here, this looks like a clean win for the 3/1 favorite, Shirl’s Speight, piloted by Luis Saez.

This five-year-old finished in the money six of his nine career starts, winning five. His most recent wins were the Tampa Bay Stakes (Grade III) at Tampa Bay in February and the Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes (Grade I) at Keeneland in April.

Longtime horse racing veteran and Hall of Famer Roger L. Attfield trains Shirl’s Speight for owner-breeder Charles E. Fipke.
Race twelve — Kentucky Derby (Grade I)

This is a $3,000,000 purse, 1-1/4 miles dirt track race for three-year-olds.

I’m sticking with my prediction from last week for this horse race and betting all two of my dollars on the 10/1 underdog, White Abarrio, ridden by veteran jockey Tyler Gaffalione.

The gray roan colt has been on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard since he finished third in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes last November. Since then, he won the Holy Bull Stakes (Grade III) in February and the Florida Derby just last month to finish up #3 on the leaderboard under Epicenter and Zandon.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2022, 06:26 AM

Rocket Picks ��: Churchill Downs, Oaklawn Park, and Belmont Park for May 7, 2022
By: Aaron Halterman

Happy Kentucky Derby Day to all of you! For the free pick 4, we will head to Churchill Downs for the EARLY sequence on the card. We will also have full card selections for Oaklawn Park and Belmont Park for the paid Rockets, so be sure to check those out. Let’s go!

Below is our free Late Pick 4 for Churchill Downs:

Churchill Downs May 7, 2022

Race 2: Allowance Optional Claiming

#2 Stayed In for Half has been solid in three starts and fits with this group. #4 Surfer Dude ran second in a stakes race last time out at Keeneland and gets Irad back aboard for the second straight race.

Race 3: Allowance
freestar

#7 Final Belle has been a close fourth in two starts this year at Gulfstream Park and Keeneland. Today could be the day for her. #8 Talking Book should improve with Rosario aboard for the second time.

Race 4: Allowance Optional Claiming

#2 Bye Bye Bobby gets a big rider upgrade today, which should help, while also getting class relief in this spot. #1 McLaren Vale moves barns again today, while getting back to facing just 3-year-old’s in this spot.

Race 5: Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes (G2)

#8 Speak of the Devil makes her United States debut for Chad Brown while getting Flavien Prat aboard, which is a great sign. She has won 2 in a row while earning Timeform speed figures that stand out amongst this group. #7 In Italian will go for her fourth straight win after an impressive Honey Fox Stakes score last time out.

THE TICKET

$.50 Pick 4 (Races 2-5) 2,4,6,7 / 3,7,8,10 / 1,2,4,10 / 8 – $32

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2022, 06:27 AM

Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Saturday, May 7, 2022

SHA TIN SELECTIONS
(Saturday, May 07, 2022)

Race 1: #3 Red Titan, #2 Super Fortune, #4 Young Life Forever, #6 Eight Trigrams
Race 2: #12 Wah May Luck, #10 Daily Beauty, #5 Seize The Spirit, #2 Go Go Sixteen
Race 3: #6 Good Luck Friend, #2 Silver Express, #4 The Golden Scenery, #3 Ima Single Man
Race 4: #2 Marado, #4 Dream Boss, #9 All Is Ready, #3 Gracylove
Race 5: #9 Red Elysees, #7 Right As Rain, #13 Make It Turbo, #3 Toycoon
Race 6: #4 California Vanes, #1 Enchanting Ibis, #7 Dazzling Fellow, #9 Sugar Sugar
Race 7: #10 Power Koepp, #2 Run Run Cool, #7 Summit Cheers, #3 Alcari
Race 8: #4 Copartner Elites, #2 Rocket Spade, #7 Boom Alliance, #3 Mr Ascendency
Race 9: #3 Erimo, #4 Rainbow Light, #12 Red Brick Fighter, #13 Apex Top
Race 10: #8 Dragon Fortune, #2 Super Dynamite, #1 Copartner Ambition, #5 Storm Legend

Race 1: Celosia Handicap

#3 Red Titan returns following an extended stint at Conghua. He’s moved well in his recent trials there and with even luck he should be a factor first-up this term. Zac Purton hops up and he rates as the one to beat. #2 Super Fortune is a threat in his spot, especially over this course and distance. He has race experience as well as winning form on his side, albeit from two runs ago. #4 Young Life Forever appears forward enough to figure on debut. He gets the services of Joao Moreira. #6 Eight Trigrams draws well and has claims. Next best.

Race 2: Lotus Handicap

#12 Wah May Luck is racing well and looks close to a first win. He steps away with a favourably light impost against a tightly handicapped bunch of Class 5 gallopers. #10 Daily Beauty has dipped to a competitive mark. He can improve again following his narrow defeat last start, especially with Joao Moreira retaining the ride. #5 Seize The Spirit is always thereabouts. He doesn’t win out of turn but should be around the mark once more. #2 Go Go Sixteen won well two starts ago. He’s since been well and is a factor here.

Race 3: Carnation Handicap

#6 Good Luck Friend is closing in on another win. He’s hit a purple patch of form and with the light weight he shapes as the one to beat with the right run. #2 Silver Express should find the front and will look the winner at some stage. The hefty weight will pull him back but even still, he is tough on his day. #4 The Golden Scenery has a powerful finish on his day. He did well last start and is expected to take another step forward here. Expect his ascent up the handicap is far from over. #3 Ima Single Man is next best. Don’t discount.

Race 4: Erica Handicap (2nd Section)

#2 Marado was caught far too back in the run last start but still did manage to close off nicely. He’s a winner already and the inside gate should allow him to find a position closer to the speed. Expect sharp improvement. #4 Dream Boss steps out on debut. He’s clearly talented and he commands respect for Joao Moreira and Caspar Fownes following a few handy trial efforts. #9 All Is Ready turned his form around last start to grab fourth. He only needs to replicate that effort to be considered. #3 Gracylove has gate issues but is better than his record suggests. Keep safe. He’s a good chance for Luke Currie and David Hall.

Race 5: Jasmine Handicap

#9 Red Elysees doesn’t know how to run poorly. He always hits the mark and looks well placed here to do so again. Strong booking of Joao Moreira gives him his chance once more. #7 Right As Rain is progressing well and clearly has a powerful finish when required. Ideal booking of Zac Purton favours him, especially with a clean run home against this group. #13 Make It Turbo slots in light and is worth some consideration. #3 Toycoon nailed a well-deserved win last time out. Expect he can return to that level here from a better draw.

Race 6: Erica Handicap (1st Section)

#4 California Vanes steps out for trainer Tony Cruz who collected a treble at the midweek fixture. He has this steadily improving son of Hinchinbrook lining up in a more than suitable contest with Zac Purton aboard. Expect he rolls forward and takes beating. #1 Enchanting Ibis got off the mark in style last start. He can take another step forward here. #7 Dazzling Fellow turned his form around to finish fifth last time out. He too, can improve off that effort. #9 Sugar Sugar draws well and gets his chance. Next best.

Race 7: Balsamine Handicap

#10 Power Koepp is progressing towards a first win in Hong Kong. He caught the eye from well back in the field last start, enough so to suggest a win was very close. Strong booking of Joao Moreira has him favoured, especially with just 116lb assigned. #2 Run Run Cool can do no wrong at the minute. He’s chasing a hat-trick of wins and remains favourably in Class 3. #7 Summit Cheers returns first-up this season. He had a setback in November but that does appear behind him now. #3 Alcari is chasing back-to-back wins. He’s a threat over this course and distance.

Race 8: Daphne Handicap

#4 Copartner Elites is a serious talent on the rise. He’s lightly raced in Hong Kong but has done very, very well across just three starts. The step back in distance doesn’t look like a concern and he’s the one to beat here. #2 Rocket Spade caught the eye from the tail of the field last start. He has a hefty impost but is showing signs of being a winner in waiting now. #7 Boom Alliance mixes his form but did log an eye-catching second three starts ago. It wouldn’t surprise to see him put his best foot forward here. #3 Mr Ascendency should improve coming back to this level after his struggles in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series. Next best.

Race 9: Hydrangea Handicap

#3 Erimo has done well so far across three starts by placing in each of them. He’s progressing well and appears ready to take the next step here. Joao Moreira retains the ride and he’s the one they all must catch. #4 Rainbow Light has ability and has been progressing well this season. He can figure with the right run. #12 Red Brick Fighter is better than his form suggests. He draws well and is favoured from gate five. #13 Apex Top only needs to offset the wide gate to be a factor here. He gets his chance with no weight on his back.

Race 10: Chamomile Handicap

#8 Dragon Fortune is chasing a second course and distance win this term. He’s found a bit of form of late and does appear to be tracking into this contest nicely, especially after his latest effort. Light weight and Karis Teetan’s services are suitable. #2 Super Dynamite has hit his straps in Hong Kong after nabbing a first win two starts ago. He has claims here. #1 Copartner Ambition has ability. He’s racing well but as usual he will need luck if he gives this group a head start. #5 Storm Legend is worth keeping safe. He could bounce out of the ground at any time.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2022, 06:27 AM

Belmont Park Picks - Saturday, May 7, 2022

Race 1: 4-2-3-1
Race 2: 5-2-1-3
Race 3: 3-5-1-2
Race 4: 6-1-5-3
Race 5: 3-1-7-4
Race 6: 5-3-11-1
Race 7: 6-7-2-4
Race 8: 7-6-3-5
Race 9: 1-5-8-3
**Most Likely: Patient Capital #3 (Race 5)**
**Best Value: Doswell #7 (Race 8)**

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2022, 06:27 AM

Charles Town Picks - Saturday, May 7, 2022

Race 1: 3-1-4-5
Race 2: 2-1-7-5
Race 3: 5-4-3-1
Race 4: 7-3-4-5
Race 5: 8-4-2-1
Race 6: 5-6-3-1
Race 7: 3-4-8-9
Race 8: 7-4-10-3
**Most Likely Winner: Dinner Bell #5 (Race 3)**
**Best Value: Fully Connected #8 (Race 5)**

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2022, 06:28 AM

Churchill Downs Picks - Derby Saturday, May 7, 2022

Race 1: 10-11-7-2
Race 2: 10-8-2-5
Race 3: 2-8-7-4
Race 4: 2-4-8-12
Race 5: 5-7-6-2
Race 6: 11-5-2-4
Race 7: 11-6-10-2
Race 8: 2-7-1-4
Race 9: 4-7-10-9
Race 10: 6-1-3-8
Race 11: 10-5-3-2
Race 12: 16-15-10-6
Race 13: 9-3-1-6
Race 14: 11-8-3-6
**Most Likely: Cyberknife #16 (Race 12)**
**Best Value: Prevalence #6 (Race 10)**

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-07-2022, 06:28 AM

Gulfstream Park Picks - Saturday, May 7, 2022

Race 1: 10-4-1-6
Race 2: 6-3-2-1
Race 3: 6-4-2-1
Race 4: 2-4-5-3
Race 5: 4-9-11-2
Race 6: 1-2-4-6
Race 7: 5-7-3-4
Race 8: 1-4-3-6
Race 9: 6-9-10-4
Race 10: 6-1-7-3
Race 11: 7-10-2-1
Race 12: 5-9-6-1
**Most Likely Winner: Wicked Temptations #6 (Race 3)**
**Best Value: Bettingonadream #10 (Race 1)**

Saturday 5/7/22 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Saturday 5/7/22 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment