Ricky’s Rockets ?: Churchill Downs Picks for May 16, 2020

Racing across the country is vastly expanding. Look no further than Louisville, Kentucky, where Churchill Downs opens for the first time in 2020. I have the luxury of covering the track, and what a way to do so!

The early part of the card is highlighted by multiple Grade 1 winner Monomoy Girl, who makes her long-awaited return to the track. Is she a guaranteed winner, or will someone else foil her plan? Find out when Churchill Downs gets back in action! 

Race 1: Maiden Claiming $30,000 for 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt. Purse $29,000

Ron Moquett brings #6 Skyburst to the track for the first time at the maiden claiming level. This isn’t the most daunting group for a first-timer who worked well at Oaklawn Park before making his way east for this meet opener. I’d be surprised if he’s anywhere near his morning line of 6/1 at post time. #10 Arch Ability takes a massive drop in class for Keith Desormeaux. His best effort was three starts back in the maiden claiming $50,000 level at Santa Anita Park earlier this year. My top choice is #12 Baudette Blizzard. He’s 0-for-8 in his career but is taking a big class drop. His two starts at Churchill Downs late in 2019 were encouraging when he showed gate speed. If Joe Talamo can employ the same tactics with him, then he should be able to draw away from the group.

Race 2: Claiming $25,000 for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the dirt. Purse $37,000

#3 Strollin the Bayou has run on all three surfaces, compiling a win and two seconds in six starts. She steps up in class, but having Joel Rosario in command makes her a viable win candidate. #4 Seeds of Time returns to Churchill Downs, where she’s finished in the money in all three starts. That plus a drop in class makes her my top choice. #6 Diamondcoat is known for her ability to break well out of the gate, and the only other early speed to compete with her is to her inside. Expect her to sit just off the pace and get a jump on the rest of the field in the stretch. #9 Rahway has had a tough go of it lately, facing Letruska, Nonna Madeline, Serengetti Empress, Blue Moonrise, and Getridofwhatailesu. This is a perfect bounce-back spot.

Race 3: Claiming $10,000 for 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt. Purse $25,000

#3 Louie’s Kingdom will be tough to beat as she returns to the track after running just a week ago at Gulfstream Park. The fact that Larry Rivelli is bringing him back so soon gives me an exorbitant amount of confidence. Rivelli is 3-for-10 with runners that return quickly. #11 Tom’s Last General returns to Churchill Downs looking for his second career win. If he can find the early speed that he showed here last year, then he is a contender. If the pace falls apart, #12 Jimmy At Last has the perfect running style for this race. Jimmy DiVito is great at the claiming ranks and Oaklawn Park runners tend to do well when they move to Churchill Downs. He owns a third-place finish in his lone local start.

Race 4: Allowance/Optional Claiming $80,000 for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the dirt. Purse $85,000 

This race is all about the one and only #2 Monomoy Girl. She returns to the track for the first time since her victory here in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). The one concern is the long layoff, but Cox wouldn’t put her in a race where he didn’t expect her to shine.

Race 5: Maiden Special Weight for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the turf. Purse $79,000

This is the toughest race on the sequence as these 3-year-olds will look to break their maiden going two turns on the lawn. I didn’t have a strong opinion in this group, but my top choice is #7 Oxide. In her lone turf race, she showed speed out of the gate cleared the field before getting caught at the wire by a horse who is now 3/4 in his career. Expect her to get the early lead. Other runners I’m using: #3 Pip’s Brassy Boy, #8 Handy, #10 Fortuity, #11 Implication, #13 A.K. Safari, #18 Amani’s Eagle.

THE TICKET

$.50 PICK 5 (Races 1-5) 6,10,12 / 3,4,6,9 / 3,11,12 / 2 / 3,7,8,10,11,13,18 – $126