Churchill Downs: DRF Plus handicapping report for May 24, 2014
DRF Plus handicapping analysis for Churchill Downs on Sunday, May 25.
DRF StaffMay 25, 2014
DRF Plus handicapping analysis for Churchill Downs on Sunday, May 25.
Rain overnight forced three races off the grass, and scratches decimated the program. The first five races contained 22 betting interests, and favorites swept them all for a pick five that paid $21.90 for 50 cents.
A field of seven 3-year-old fillies goes in race 8, the featured $200,000 Wonder Again Stakes.
The runner-up in last fall’s Grade 2 Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs, Bird Maker, returns to Churchill for the first time since that race when she starts in Sunday’s seventh race, a first-level allowance for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs.
Xuang Feng ($3.80) made it two straight smart wins, taking the day’s opener despite a two-level class hike for hot trainer Peter Miller.
Trainer Ron Ellis continues his superb meet and has a couple runners who may be primed to grab their diplomas on the card.
John Oxley, the Sovereign Award-winning owner in each of the past two years, combined with perennial leading trainer Mark Casse to score twice on the card, most notably with Spring in the Air in the Grade 3 Hendrie Stakes.
As War Dancer and Suntracer hit mid-stretch in Saturday’s Grade 3 Louisville Handicap, it seemed the latter held the advantage.
It’s been 20 years since trainer Roger Attfield won the first race run over the roomy E.P. Taylor turf course with champion Alywow, so it’s only fitting that the Hall of Famer has an entrant in the first turf stakes of the meet, longshot Meri Shika, in the Grade 2 Nassau.
DRF Plus handicapping analysis for Santa Anita on Sunday, May 25.