Papa Dudes Free Picks for Churchill Downs 5/9/21

I’m wrapping up my first week of following races at Churchill and it has been an up and down start. I have found when handicapping tracks that a person is unfamiliar with, there is definitely an adjustment period. It takes awhile to get the “feel” of the race track, the jockey colony, and the quality of horse and races that are in the barns. The more races that I watch, the more confidence I will acquire.

Also, today is Mother’s Day so a big shout out to all the mothers out there! Being a mother is special and such an important job in the development of the children under their care. My life has been very rewarding and I owe a significant part of that to my mother who taught me how to care for people and do the right thing in order to make the proper decision. Thanks Mom, you are never forgotten.

Let’s get down to business and see if we can hit some winners today and continue to make improvements. Yesterday was a really good day, so lets do it again!

Race 1: Maiden

My Picks: 5,4,2

Race 2: Claiming

My Picks: 1,6,7

Race 3: Maiden

My Picks: 8,2,5

Race 4: Claiming

My Picks: 2,4,6

Race 5: Claiming

My Picks: 6,2,3

Race 6: Claiming

My Picks: 1,2,5

Race 7: Claiming

My Picks: 3,6,2

Race 8: Maiden

My Picks: 3,5,10

Race 9: Allowance

My Picks: 2,6,10

Race 10: Allowance

My Picks: 8,9,3

Best Bets of the Day

Race 2:There is a lot to like about #1 Chicory Blue, who is sent out by the Diodoro barn. He is coming off of 2 straight wins in very similar races at Oaklawn Park. The barn excels in these kinds of spots, and he is in great form. The only worrisome thing is they are risking losing him by keeping him in this level of race, so the connections might think they have gotten all they are going to get out of him and if he gets claimed so be it. Hopefully, the barn is banking on another victory and if he gets claimed they get the purse plus his claiming price.

The Bet: $20 to win on #1

Race 3: This will be the 2-year old debut for #8 Red Run trained by Steve Asmussen. What makes this special? He is sired by the magnificent Gun Runner out of a Tapit mare, so this one is pretty exciting. Will this by Gun Runner’s first winner as a sire?

The Bet: $20 to win on #8

Race 6: Another Asmussen runner, #1 Raggedy Annie seems to be the logical choice here. She is in great form winning 3 out of her last 4 starts all at Oaklawn. Love the trainer, love the jockey, let’s go!

The Bet: $20 to win on #1

Race 8: I like a long shot in here on #3 Six Pack trained by Wayne Catalano. He is the lone speed in the race and has shown promise in both of his previous starts. I’m banking on that early speed to carry him to the finish line this time around.

The Bet: $10 to Win/Place on #3

Best Sports Plays of the Day

There are only 2 NHL games on the schedule tomorrow and one of them is pretty meaningless. However, the other one could be very important.

Dallas over Chicago

This game’s significance depends on what Nashville did last night at home against Carolina. If they won, they will have clinched the final playoff berth in the Central and this game isn’t worth a thing. If that’s the case skip this game and don’t bet it. However, a Nashville loss would keep Dallas in the hunt and this game would be a must win for them.

The Bet: $20 on Dallas

In the NBA, let’s take a shot at a couple of games.

New York Knicks at Los Angeles Clippers

The Knicks have been playing very well of late but they are coming off a bad loss at Phoenix by over 20 points. The Clippers have won 2 in a row and are solidly entrenched in 2nd place in the West. The line favors LA by 7.5 points. Will the Knicks bounce back? I say no!

Clippers -7.5 to cover

Phoenix at Los Angeles Lakers

The injured Lakers are crawling to the finish line and currently sit in 7th place in the West. They have lost 8 of their last 10 and have been less than impressive to say the least. Meanwhile, the Suns have one of the best records in the league and are battling the equally impressive Utah Jazz for 1st overall in the West and the entire NBA. So why are they only favored by 5.5 points? Well, I guess it’s because they are playing the Lakers and all that tradition. I’m not buying it.

Suns -5.5 to cover the spread

That will do it for another week. Have a great day everyone and good luck on your picks!