Churchill Downs: Horse Racing Picks and Predictions for Saturday, May 16
Churchill Downs reopens today, and six tracks are running live Thoroughbred racing on Saturday, May 16. FairwayJay looks at some of the increased interest as horse racing gains traction and provides hope for horsemen, handicappers, bettors and major sports leagues moving forward.
FairwayJay chips in more horse racing coverage at Forbes, and Offshore Gaming as horse racing moves towards the backstretch while major sports remain stuck in the starting gate.
Check out the daily horse racing guide at TheLines, with added information on the tracks, daily races and odds, plus news, notes and tips. That includes the Kentucky Derby betting guide and other major races and coverage with information you can bet on.
Our Vegas Sports Zone team has chipped-in some insight with picks and predictions at Churchill Downs for those interested in the late Pick 4 races on May 16. Added input from HRN Super Screener and Top Race Reports at the WCHR/ECHR.
Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, May 16
With most of the sports world on pause, it’s a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.
Churchill Downs is back and racing resumes at 1:00 p.m. EST. We have 11 races to watch and wager on at TVG. where wager rewards and mobile betting provides an experience that puts you in the winners circle. Using our projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets for the late Pick 4 in races 8-11.
As always, keep an eye out for scratches and changes, and note the greater than 75% chance of afternoon rain and thunderstorms in Louisville. An off-track with a sloppy or muddy surface adds more uneven and unknown variables.
Race 8, Danny California
FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/1
Strong stretch jockey Joel Rosario rides, and Danny California should sit a great mid-pack trip behind the pressured pace and gets first move on the deeper closers. Danny California won his last start, his third since September, and is working super leading up to this. This race could be moved of the turf, which makes some scratches likely but four also-eligibles waiting to fill in the 12-horse field.
When adding other horses to your Pick 4 ticket, look towards a projected forward move by Motagally (6/1) for trainer Chad Brown if this stays on the turf. The Brad Cox-trained presser Limnery (4/1) will prefer this 1 mile distance and has not missed the Superfecta in all 9 lifetime starts. Limnery had a career-best Equibase speed figure in his last race, and DailyHorsePicks.com rates Limnery best.
Race 9, Patrol
FaDuel Racing Odds: 8/1
Patrol is a pace pressure who will save ground on the inside and offers value. He won his debut, tracking a hot pace and still got home in front going 6 ½ furlongs. Patrol was taken off the dirt in his next start by trainer Mark Casse, and now faces easier going 7 furlongs. If spreading and spending for the Pick 4, Adhhar (6/1) is a closer with a strong turn of foot who can catch these if the pace is faster than projected.
Race 10, Four Graces
FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/2
Won on debut on the front end March 1 with an ideal, balanced 91+ BRIS Pace/Speed figures. Four Graces was fourth as the favorite last out, dueling at a route distance and now bounces cutting back.
Portrait (8/1) needs to be included, and this Brad Cox trained filly is working brilliantly leading into this and should enjoy the cutback in distance while getting a perfect ground-saving trip on the rail.
Race 11, Fly So Pretty
FD Racing Odds: 7/2
Was quite wide in defeating #4 Karak last out. If the race stays on the turf, Fly So Pretty should by flying from off the pace with Rosario in the saddle. DailyHorsePicks makes Fly So Pretty the top choice in this 3-year-old filly field, and the favorite to include for Pick 4 players. Same for Chili Petin (5/1) who will be the pace leader with a clean break from the No. 11 post. She’s in solid form after a strong performance last out. Has faced stronger, cuts back in distance and a win is easy to find as a numberFire projected contender.
