EXPERT PICKS
Get daily Expert Picks for all of Churchill Downs Racing and wager with TwinSpires.
JOE KRISTUFEK
EXPERT SELECTIONS
Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds and Twin Spires racing analyst Joe Kristufek began his career in his native Chicago, climbing the ladder at the local racing venues. The 1989 rivalry between Kentucky Derby winner Sunday Silence and his nemesis Easy Goer got Joe hooked on horse racing. A self-proclaimed 'horse racing ambassador', Joe's industry experience spans from Dubai to Hong Kong to more than 35 tracks across North America.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Double-check listed numbers against program numbers before wagering. Selections subject to change on race day due to scratches, off the turf, etc. For the most up to the minute information, tune in to 'Churchill Downs Today' presented by twinspires.com one hour before first post every racing day, watch the pre-race paddock shows and follow Joe on Twitter @JoeyDaKRacing.
RACE 1
6 PM
Selections: 7-8/2/6-5
| 7 | Leader of Men | Cuts back; first run into hot pace |
| 8 | Shortlist | Conditions not optimum; picks up pieces |
| 2 | One for Richie | More questions than answers |
RACE 2
6:28 PM
Selections: 6/8-7/3
| 6 | Barnaby | High % barn; well-intended |
| 8 | Onparticularharbor | Return to dirt aids deep closer |
| 7 | Haskelled | Hung out to dry in the slop last out |
RACE 3
6:56 PM
Selections: 5-3-6/1/2-7-4
| 5 | Evie's Encore | Better than ever; fits like a glove |
| 3 | Thestral | Cutback should work in her favor |
| 6 | Center Stage | Like her back on dirt and sprints |
RACE 4
8:00 PM
Selections: 9-3/11-7-6
| 9 | Outadore | Barn excels with this kind; well placed |
| 3 | Carotari | May have lost a step or two, but fits well here |
| 11 | Retained | 2nd in lone turf sprint try; gimmick price shot |
RACE 5
8:32 PM
Selections: 8-1-6-7/5-2
| 8 | Saint Peter's Bay | Won first off the claim; edge in tough call |
| 1 | Spanish Wells | Dominated short field at MVR for Ward |
| 6 | Chryso Alogo | Turf to dirt + blinkers on; lures Luis |
RACE 6
9:05 PM
Selections: 4-7/10-8-1
| 4 | Golden Buck | Better with blinkers; dirt should be fine |
| 7 | Cashmeup | Tough loss in last; should trip out here |
| 10 | Falcon Quest | Massive drop with blinkers on; tough read |
RACE 7
9:40 PM
Selections: 9-4-2/3-8
| 9 | Killshave Beauty | Strong family; ready off the bench |
| 4 | Hola Gata | Model of consistency; likely overbet |
| 2 | Tituba | Better than ever; should trip out |
RACE 8
10:14 PM
Selections: 1/5-8-11/9-4-7
| 1 | Just Basking | 2nd in first two tries; should like 10F |
| 5 | Mystical Chant | Wide, pressing trip in last; distance? |
| 8 | Queen of the Rodeo | Tough ask, but is bred to stay |
RACE 9
10:46 PM
Selections: 8-4/2-5-6-7
| 8 | Condensation | Sharp win here in Sept; darkened form |
| 4 | Positano Sunset | Scored stakes upset, then disappeared |
| 2 | Last Leaf | Kept the best company; dangerous stretch kick |
RACE 10
11:17 PM
Selections: 6-1-3-4-9
| 6 | Dark Fury | Foley lures Tyler; good enough for me here |
| 1 | Green Fairy | Even effort vs. better in lone try one year ago |
| 3 | Starcourt | Even effort in debut at TP; first well on drop |
TONY CALO
EXPERT SELECTIONS
Kevin Kilroy is a racing and handicapping analyst covering the racing at Churchill Downs, Colonial Downs, Ellis Park, Fair Grounds and Turfway Park.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Double-check listed numbers against program numbers before wagering. Selections subject to change on race day due to scratches, off the turf, etc. For the most up to the minute information, tune in to 'Churchill Downs Today' presented by twinspires.com one hour before first post every racing day, watch the pre-race paddock shows and follow Tony on Twitter @TrustYourLuck.
RACE 1
6 PM
Selections: 5/2,4/6,8
| 5 | Spycraft | Ran third in carousel race against tougher last out |
| 2 | One For Richie | Steadied losing early last out |
| 4 | Keen on You | Should appreciate CD’s longer stretch |
RACE 2
6:28 PM
Selections: 6/7,8/3
| 6 | Barnaby | Always shown talent, faces softest test to date |
| 7 | Haskelled | Back to fast dirt |
| 8 | Oneparticularharbor | Circling back to form and returns to dirt |
RACE 3
6:56 PM
Selections: 5/2,4/1,2
| 5 | Evie’s Encore | Versatile runner has looked great in last two |
| 4 | Classic Performer | 4-year-old on the improve |
| 2 | Little Blaze | Beat lesser but did it stylishly last out |
RACE 4
8:00 PM
Selections: 9/7,8/3
| 9 | Outadore | Second off layoff usually his best |
| 7 | Counterstike | Run was there but no room late in last |
| 8 | Kigali | 4-year-old working like he’s progressed |
RACE 5
8:32 PM
Selections: 2,6/8/1
| 2 | Bledsoe | Sharp works, talent and carries 10 lbs less |
| 6 | Chryso Alogo | Turf to dirt strong angle for barn |
| 8 | Saint Peter’s Bay | Likely to step froward again |
RACE 6
9:05 PM
Selections: 8,10/3/1,7
| 8 | Moonovermontgomery | Big son of Ransom the Moon should be fit |
| 10 | Falcon Quest | Wide last out against much better |
| 3 | American Raider | A repeat of last would be enough for a piece |
RACE 7
9:40 PM
Selections: 3,4,8/10/2,9
| 8 | Hay Stack | Needs to make her move in final stages |
| 3 | La Pachanga | Olympiad’s half-sibling and could offer value |
| 4 | Hola Gata | Nice late mover with an excuse last out |
RACE 8
10:14 PM
Selections: 7/5/4,8,10
| 7 | Sava | Put herself onlead last but couldn’t see it through |
| 5 | Mystical Chant | Ran well against race flow last out |
| 8 | Queen of the Rodeo | Better than looks debut against the race flow |
RACE 9
10:46 PM
Selections: 3/1,4/2,5,6,7
| 3 | Speedy Traveler | Talent is there and quickest to the lead |
| 4 | Positano Sunset | Dangerous late kick |
| 1 | Happy Am I | Sharp drill; looks ready to show class |
RACE 10
11:17 PM
Selections: 4,9,10/ 1,3/6
| 4 | Tammy’s Cruiser | Two times the troubled trip last out |
| 10 | Argan | Talented and returns to dirt/sprint |
| 9 | Rubia | Put herself in great spot but ran out of gas; cutback |
TONY CALO
EXPERT SELECTIONS
Churchill Downs Racing Analyst as well as Turfway Park and Ellis Park Announcer.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Double-check listed numbers against program numbers before wagering. Selections subject to change on race day due to scratches, off the turf, etc. For the most up to the minute information, tune in to 'Churchill Downs Today' presented by twinspires.com one hour before first post every racing day, watch the pre-race paddock shows and follow Tony on Twitter @tonycalo5.
RACE 1
6 PM
Selections: 2/7-5-8
| 2 | One for Richie | veteran is inside speed, & 7 furlongs? |
| 7 | Leader of Men | Deserving favorite with solid route foundation |
| 5 | Spycraft | Seems like a solid fit in the season opener |
RACE 2
6:28 PM
Selections: 7-6/8-3-1
| 7 | Haskelled | Shortens in distance and back on Fast track |
| 6 | Barnaby | If at best they’re all running for second |
| 8 | Oneparticularharbor | Poor recent form, like top pick Fast track aids |
RACE 3
6:56 PM
Selections: 6/3/5-2/7
| 6 | Center Stage | Draws a nice outside stalking post |
| 3 | Thestral | Could be rolling late, Dam productive sprinting |
| 5 | Evie’s Encore | Never underestimate a sharp equine |
RACE 4
8:00 PM
Selections: 9/3-11/7
| 9 | Outadore | Hard to go against the CHALK |
| 3 | Carotari | Drops off poor effort, best makes him the solid second choice |
| 11 | Retained | Love City Zip blood on the bottom for Turf |
RACE 5
8:32 PM
Selections: 5-6/12/all
| 6 | Chryso Aglo | Gets nod in a tough race |
| 5 | Crafted | Drops off two poor efforts, debut was solid |
| 1 | Spanish Wells | Seems spotted nicely for comeback, one of two for Ward |
RACE 6
9:05 PM
Selections: 3-7/8-10
| 3 | American Raider | Comes home with intensity, like the Dirt blood top and bottom |
| 7 | Cashmeup | Rice barn wins lots of races, one to beat |
| 8 | Moonovermontgomery | Race two back gives him hope |
RACE 7
9:40 PM
Selections: 4/8/3-5-9
| 4 | Hola Gata | LOVE her late kick, tons of pace on paper |
| 8 | Hay Stack | Ran huge in recent defeat |
| 3 | La Pachanga | Returns off lengthy layoff |
RACE 8
10:14 PM
Selections: 5-1/10-11/9-8
| 5 | Mystical Chant | Gets much more favorable flow this evening with longer distance |
| 1 | Just Basking | The one to beat, exits same affair as top pick |
| 10 | Ava’s Look | Spotty work tab cause for concern |
RACE 9
10:46 PM
Selections: 2/8/5-6
| 2 | Last Leaf | Has faced MONSTERS at CD in the past, should be rolling |
| 8 | Condensation | Race flow favors her powerful punch |
| 5 | Zeitlos | Willing to forgive recent dud |
RACE 10
11:17 PM
Selections: 7-1/3/5-8
| 7 | Goldys Lock | Good stride in concluding stages |
| 1 | Green Fairy | Drops for comeback bid |
| 3 | Starcourt | Devaux solid stats with second time starters |
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR
FOLLOW FOR UPDATES AND EXCLUSIVES
Missed something? Catch up on past Churchill Downs news
