Peck: How I'd play Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs

Handicappers Matt Bernier and Kenny Peck are going head to head with $500 to wager on the Kentucky Oaks Day card at Churchill Downs.

I like the back end of the card much more than the early races Friday at Churchill Downs.

RACE 2: I thought SEOUL GOLD (#3) ran a decent race in defeat despite trouble in her bow, a sprint, and now she stretches out and makes her second start for Mike Stidham, both strong angles for the barn.

$20 WIN AND PLACE #3 Seoul Gold ($40 total)

RACE 8: Fully understand that he's in tough, and he may not even run as he's cross-entered on Saturday, but TARPY'S SURPRISE (#5) is training like he's about to run the race of his life. Perhaps it's the addition of blinkers that has him working like he is but, whatever it is, I'll take a shot at 20-1 and likely higher:

$10 WIN / PLACE / SHOW #5 Tarpy’s Surprise ($30)

:: Matt Bernier’s Kentucky Oaks Day plays

RACE 9: Thought CHANNEL MARKER (#2) ran a huge race in the Shakertown, and though this Turf Sprint is a little shorter, there is ample pace to set him up for his late run.

$40 WIN / PLACE #2 Channel Marker ($80)

RACE 11: I'll play around with some exactas keying BIRDATTHEWIRE (#13) and STELLAR WIND (#12) in the Oaks, which came up very strong, and also using Ken McPeek turnback MISS COBBLESTONE in Race 12:

$40 EXACTA BOX 12-13 ($80)
$20 EXACTA 13-12 ($20)
$20 EXACTA 12, 13 / 7, 8 ($80)
$10 EXACTA 7, 8 / 12, 13 ($40)
$25 DOUBLE 12, 13 / 3 ($50)

Finally, a 50-cent Oaks/Woodford/Derby pick three, using GRAND ARCH, SLUMBER, STEPHANIE'S KITTEN, and SEEK AGAIN in Saturday's Woodford and ALL in the Derby:

12, 13 / 8, 9, 11, 12 / ALL = 160 Combinations ($80 Play)

Total: $500