SCOTT SHAPIRO
EXPERT SELECTIONS
Scott Shapiro is the Senior Racing Analyst for Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby. He fell in love with thoroughbred racing when his father took him to Garden State Park in 1985 to see Kentucky Derby winner Spend A Buck race in the Jersey Derby instead of the Preakness Stakes. Scott graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1996 and is an avid NFL and PGA fan. His favorite horses are A.P. Indy, Fly So Free, Captain Bodgit, Victory Gallop, and Ghostzapper.
CHURCHILL DOWNS
November 23, 2023
Double-check listed numbers against program numbers before wagering. Selections subject to change on race day due to scratches, off the turf, etc. For the most up to the minute information follow Scott on Twitter @ScottShap34.
Bet now at TwinSpires >
RACE 1
11:30 AM
Selections: 5-1-3-6-2-4
5 MENA Took big step fwd on drop/stretchout; works out perfect trip under Saez
1 I'M YOUR MAN Last to 1st rally on debut; will likely be closer to pace in 2-turn race;
3 LET'S GO MARK Barn has been hot, but questions about this one getting distance
RACE 2
11:58 AM
Selections: 9-7-11-2
9 UPSWELL Ran solid 4th over this configuration last out despite wide trip
7 CRIMALDI Attracts Saez for 2nd start off layoff
11 RED RIVER MAGIC Moves back to main track for Hartman
RACE 3
12:26 PM
Selections: 5-7-4/2-6
5 PACHANGA LOCA Cuts back to sprint in 1st start off claim for Garcia
7 THERESASILVERLININ Ships in from OH after pair of dominant victories
4 SHELL SHOCK Is tough to endorse at 5-2 given 2 for 27 record & 0 for 7 in '23
RACE 4
12:54 PM
Selections: 6-8-1-9
6 DIFFERENT FLAME Goes two sprints to route & attracts Gaffalione
8 STING MUSIC Should be involved early on stretch out to route of ground
1 TITLE CONTENDER Gets much-needed class relief in 3rd lifetime try
RACE 5
1:22 PM
Selections: 5-2/9-6-7-8
5 STORY HOUR Works out perfect stalking voyage in 2nd start for Medina
2 PILLBOX Employed off pace tactics in last & dominated lesser
9 SISTER KISSES Has been popular at claim box, but protected today by Garcia
RACE 6
1:50 PM
Selections: 3-6-8-5
3 CANT KEEP ME DOWN Has raced primarily on tur, but both career wins on main track
6 EXCELLENT QUESTION Lone win came on sod, but plenty of proven dirt form
8 SULTRY LASS Makes 2nd start off bench for Lovell
RACE 7
2:18 PM
Selections: 8-5/12-7
8 REDDINGTON Encountered much tougher competition in FL; lures Saez
5 JEWELSTOWN Ran into winner in last that has rattled off 3 straight victories
12 CARNIVORE Is 1 for 27, but lone win did come under the twin spires
RACE 8
2:47 PM
Selections: 1-8/6-3
1 O BESOS Was likely best in last when forced to swing wide into lane
8 BEST ACTOR Had everything his way in recent victory vs ALW foes in NY
6 PIONEER OF MEDINA Enters Cox barn; potentially prepping for two-turn stake races in NOLA
RACE 9
3:16 PM
Selections: 7/9-8-10-2-12
7 INVULNERABLE Is 2 for 2 sprinting; comes back better than ever for Sharp
9 STRAVA Has earned 3 of his 4 lifetime victories at CD; but is 6.5F too sharp?
8 W W CANDY Has strong late run; offers value underneath in gimmicks
RACE 10
3:45 PM
Selecti0ns: 7-3-6-2-4
7 SAFFRON MOON Finds favorable spot for 1st stakes try after easy score at KEE
3 LOVELY PRINCESS Has always shown talent, but has lacked will to win
6 JUNCTURE Cuts back after trip out west; not sure she gets fast pace to run at
RACE 11
4:14 PM
Selections: 8/9-4-6-2
8 XIGERA Might have won the BC Distaff; 1 to 9 might be fair value
9 BELLAMORE Looks to hit the board in this event in back-to-back years
4 MISTY VEIL Picks up pieces like she has in past; has hit board in 7 of 9 at CD
RACE 12
4:43 PM
Selections: 7-11-2-12-10-9
7 LEGADEMA Debuts for barn having a tremendous 2023; working well
11 TALE OF LA BEE Moves into open MSW's after solid debut vs restricted non-winners
2 PARADE DOWN BROAD Attracts Tyler in 1st career start
EXPERT SELECTIONS
Scott Shapiro is the Senior Racing Analyst for Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby. He fell in love with thoroughbred racing when his father took him to Garden State Park in 1985 to see Kentucky Derby winner Spend A Buck race in the Jersey Derby instead of the Preakness Stakes. Scott graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1996 and is an avid NFL and PGA fan. His favorite horses are A.P. Indy, Fly So Free, Captain Bodgit, Victory Gallop, and Ghostzapper.
CHURCHILL DOWNS
November 23, 2023
Double-check listed numbers against program numbers before wagering. Selections subject to change on race day due to scratches, off the turf, etc. For the most up to the minute information follow Scott on Twitter @ScottShap34.
Bet now at TwinSpires >
RACE 1
11:30 AM
Selections: 5-1-3-6-2-4
5 MENA Took big step fwd on drop/stretchout; works out perfect trip under Saez
1 I'M YOUR MAN Last to 1st rally on debut; will likely be closer to pace in 2-turn race;
3 LET'S GO MARK Barn has been hot, but questions about this one getting distance
RACE 2
11:58 AM
Selections: 9-7-11-2
9 UPSWELL Ran solid 4th over this configuration last out despite wide trip
7 CRIMALDI Attracts Saez for 2nd start off layoff
11 RED RIVER MAGIC Moves back to main track for Hartman
RACE 3
12:26 PM
Selections: 5-7-4/2-6
5 PACHANGA LOCA Cuts back to sprint in 1st start off claim for Garcia
7 THERESASILVERLININ Ships in from OH after pair of dominant victories
4 SHELL SHOCK Is tough to endorse at 5-2 given 2 for 27 record & 0 for 7 in '23
RACE 4
12:54 PM
Selections: 6-8-1-9
6 DIFFERENT FLAME Goes two sprints to route & attracts Gaffalione
8 STING MUSIC Should be involved early on stretch out to route of ground
1 TITLE CONTENDER Gets much-needed class relief in 3rd lifetime try
RACE 5
1:22 PM
Selections: 5-2/9-6-7-8
5 STORY HOUR Works out perfect stalking voyage in 2nd start for Medina
2 PILLBOX Employed off pace tactics in last & dominated lesser
9 SISTER KISSES Has been popular at claim box, but protected today by Garcia
RACE 6
1:50 PM
Selections: 3-6-8-5
3 CANT KEEP ME DOWN Has raced primarily on tur, but both career wins on main track
6 EXCELLENT QUESTION Lone win came on sod, but plenty of proven dirt form
8 SULTRY LASS Makes 2nd start off bench for Lovell
RACE 7
2:18 PM
Selections: 8-5/12-7
8 REDDINGTON Encountered much tougher competition in FL; lures Saez
5 JEWELSTOWN Ran into winner in last that has rattled off 3 straight victories
12 CARNIVORE Is 1 for 27, but lone win did come under the twin spires
RACE 8
2:47 PM
Selections: 1-8/6-3
1 O BESOS Was likely best in last when forced to swing wide into lane
8 BEST ACTOR Had everything his way in recent victory vs ALW foes in NY
6 PIONEER OF MEDINA Enters Cox barn; potentially prepping for two-turn stake races in NOLA
RACE 9
3:16 PM
Selections: 7/9-8-10-2-12
7 INVULNERABLE Is 2 for 2 sprinting; comes back better than ever for Sharp
9 STRAVA Has earned 3 of his 4 lifetime victories at CD; but is 6.5F too sharp?
8 W W CANDY Has strong late run; offers value underneath in gimmicks
RACE 10
3:45 PM
Selecti0ns: 7-3-6-2-4
7 SAFFRON MOON Finds favorable spot for 1st stakes try after easy score at KEE
3 LOVELY PRINCESS Has always shown talent, but has lacked will to win
6 JUNCTURE Cuts back after trip out west; not sure she gets fast pace to run at
RACE 11
4:14 PM
Selections: 8/9-4-6-2
8 XIGERA Might have won the BC Distaff; 1 to 9 might be fair value
9 BELLAMORE Looks to hit the board in this event in back-to-back years
4 MISTY VEIL Picks up pieces like she has in past; has hit board in 7 of 9 at CD
RACE 12
4:43 PM
Selections: 7-11-2-12-10-9
7 LEGADEMA Debuts for barn having a tremendous 2023; working well
11 TALE OF LA BEE Moves into open MSW's after solid debut vs restricted non-winners
2 PARADE DOWN BROAD Attracts Tyler in 1st career start
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