Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Thursday 6/1/23

The Churchill Downs Spring Meet continues with 8 races on Thursday's Downs after Dark card. First post at 5:00 p.m. ET.

As always, check the program for scratches and changes, monitor the weather and keep an eye on the track conditions. 

(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races after adjusting for track, distances, and conditions).

Churchill Downs Betting Picks

According to numberFire horse racing projections and Guaranteed Tip Sheet, these are some of the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing today.

Did you follow FanDuel Racing picks and cash in a 3-for-3 day at Churchill Downs on May 4? All six win picks finished in the money providing additional Exacta and Trifecta payoffs. FanDuel Racing's May 19 picks at Pimlico went 3-for-3 and produced an 11/1 winner on Taxed in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes that also paid $190 on a $2 exacta bet. Also, in recent picks at Keeneland, Time For Trouble (18/1) cashed $2 win bets for $37.50 and a $2 exacta paid $189. 

Mobile betting on horse racing is easy with the best-in-class experience at FanDuel.

1. Sonofaship and Lou's Legacy, Race 1

FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 8/1
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Race 1 is a Maiden Special Weight for baby 2-year-olds sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs. Sonofaship (7/2) gets the nod by Guaranteed Tip Sheet. He's finished a closed 2nd in both his starts including a month ago pressing the pace as the favorite. Sharp, short bullet works in place.

Lou's Legacy (8/1) missed on debut and then finished 2nd in a stakes race here a month ago. Higgins Boat (3/1) makes his debut as a son of Omaha Beach.

2. Stitched and Caddo River, Race 4

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/1 and 8/1
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Race 4 is a high-end Optional Clamier at 1-mile on the turf. Caddo River (8/1) is a top win contender at bigger odds, according to numberFire's data. Gentle Soul (3/1) is an expected challenger along with Stitched (5/1) per Guaranteed Tip Sheet.

Caddo River has finished 1st or 2nd in 12-of-19 starts including a Grade 3 race last month. Recall he finished 2nd in the Arkansas Derby in 2021. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas gives this colt a try on turf.

Stitched has won 5-of-11 starts including an Allowance race over this turf track a year ago. He missed the board in a pair of stakes starts this year.

3. Howling Time and Bag Boss, Race 7

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 3/1
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Race 7 is an Allowance race at 6 1/2 furlongs. The numberFire data and GTS both pick Howling Time (5/2) to win breaking from the rail for top trainer Dale Romans with a best bet by Guaranteed Tip Sheet.

Howling Time makes his 2023 debut and he finished a close 2nd here last year in a Grade 2 race. The meets leading jockey Tyler Gaffalione rides Bag Boss (3/1) with top triple digit speed figures last year and expected improvement in his second start off a layoff.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.