Ricky’s Rockets ?: Churchill Downs Picks for May 17, 2020

Getting the opportunity to watch racing from Churchill Downs again was a long time coming. Monomoy Girl returned to the track looking better than ever, passing her 2020 debut with flying colors.

Sunday’s Early Pick 5 sequence is another tough one. Best of luck!

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

#1 Common Courtesy is the horse to beat after putting forth two solid efforts at the maiden special weight level. She drops down for a tag andcuts back in distance here, and while the layoff is a slight concern, trainer Bill Mott should have her ready. If Common Courtesy takes a step back, #8 Money Well Spent is the most likely upsetter. She broke sharply out of the gate in her debut, then as most first-timers do, she weakened late. A drop in class and some experience makes her a logical second choice.

Race 2: Claiming $10,000 for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt. Purse $25,000

#2 Traci’s Greeley is an intriguing runner who finds her best kick home late and needs early pace. Runners from Oaklawn Park tend to run well at Churchill Downs, so she makes sense after just missing out by a nose in her last start. #7 Mi Chachis Intenta has faced much better than what she will see here. She tends to run toward the back of the field, but I expect her to be more forwardly placed, stalking the leaders.

Race 3: Claiming $16,000 for 4-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt. Purse $31,000

#1 Rockshaw has put forth his best performances as of late and is in great form. He ran a competitive second at Oaklawn Park at the claiming $32,000 level last time out, a performance that is good enough to win here. #8 Codetowin makes his Churchill Downs debut having finished in the money in all but 3 of his 16 starts. He’s the type of horse whom should bettors feel comfortable using. #11 P R Radio Star is one of the longer shots on the board but is also one of the few with speed who has the ability to get away from the field.

Race 4: Maiden Special Weight for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the turf. Purse $79,000

Multiple runners in this group made my ticket, but my top choice is #12 Luck Money. She comes off of a six-month layoff, but a lot of the speed in this field is stretching out, which increases the chance that the pace falls apart. Luck Money has shown the ability to pass horses with ease with two seconds and two thirds in four career starts. Other runners: #2 Well Respected, #6 Indawin, #7 Flabbergasted, #11 Duopoly.

Race 5: Maiden Claiming $50,000 for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the dirt. Purse $36,000

#1 Elite Class makes his debut at the maiden claiming ranks after facing much tougher, including Dennis’ Moment, Crypto Cash, and Major Fed. He belongs at this level and sitting on the rail into the first turn should help. Jose Ortiz aboard is an upgrade as well. My top choice is #7 Dean Martini, who’s finished second and third in two starts this year. He’s 0-for-7 in his career and has only been the post-time favorite once, but it will take a massive effort to beat him.

THE TICKET

$.50 PICK 5 (Races 1-5) 1,8 / 2,7,14 / 1,8,11,15 / 2,6,7,11,12 / 1,7 – $120