EXPERT PICKS

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EXPERT PICKS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2024

Joe Kristufek

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.

Race 1

  • 5. JANUARY JUBLIEE

    WIDE TRIP COST HER IN LAST; FITS WELL HERE

  • 2. SINGSATIONAL

    RAN LIKE SHE NEEDED THE RACE LAST OUT

  • 3. MITOLE'S LEGACY

    WIRED SOFT FIELD LAST OUT; GO TO WHOA THREAT HERE

Selections:

5/2/3-4-7-6

Race 2

  • 4. B GRAYSON

    WHERE'S THE RING'S TRAINER BROUGHT THIS ONE TOO

  • 3. JOHNNY COME LATELY

    WARD TOUGH TO GO AGAINST; DEFLATED PRICE

  • 7. COMPLEX MUSIC

    1/2 TO AUSPICIOUS BABE MIGHT WAY MORE GROUND

Selections:

4-3/7-2

Race 3

  • 3. AVAILABILITY

    TROUBLE IN BOTH STARTS AGAINST MUCH BETTER

  • 7. CURLINS INCHARGE

    0 FOR 15, BUT CASHES LOTS OF CHECKS

  • 1. SPUNS SON

    0 FOR 23 AND PEDIGREE IS VERY TURFY

Selections:

3/7/1-5

Race 4

  • 4. PERLIANO

    CLASS RELIEF; THE ONE TO BEAT WITH A-GAME

  • 5. CAMPTON

    PICKS UP PLENTY OF PIECES LATE

  • 7. FLASH OF GENIUS

    HAS TRIED A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING

Selections:

4-5-7/6-1

Race 5

  • 1. COOL QUARTET

    3 FOR 3 WITH IRAD; SHOULD TRIP OUT

  • 6. BOITANO

    SOLID 3RD IN LONE CD TRY; BETTER ON DIRT

  • 2. ATKINS

    SMOKED SOFTER AT HAW; STALK & POUNCE

Selections:

1-6-2-3-8-5

Race 6

  • 8. KISS ME AGAIN

    BETTER THAN SHE LOOKS; BRED TO ROUTE

  • 11. LEO TORO

    SOLID 2ND IN DEBUT; TURF PEDIGREE

  • 4. TONALITE

    IMPROVED WITH EVERY START; TACTICAL EDGE

Selections:

8-11-4/12-7-5-9-6

Race 7

  • 2. ROSWELL

    BRED TO BE A GOOD ONE; STRETCH OUT HELPS

  • 5. STUNNINGLY

    SHOWED PROMISE LAST YEAR; GETS A FRESH START

  • 1. MIGHTY MADISON

    LIGHTLY RACED; MUST RESPECT THE TEAM

Selections:

2/5/1/8-3

Race 8

  • 7. NEXT

    FIRES FRESH; MAKES AMENDS FOR LAST YEAR

  • 1. DAI VERNON

    LONGSHOT RUNS LIKE HE'LL APPRECIATE THE ADDED GROUND

  • 6. MASQUEPARADE

    WON COMMON STAKE AT OP AT 19-1

Selections:

7/1-6-5/3

Race 9

  • 1. MANSA MUSA (IRE)

    WON COMMON PALISADES DESPITE SLOW START IN LAST

  • 6. NO NAY METS (IRE)

    POST SHIFT SHOULD WORK IN HIS FAVOR; GAMER

  • 4. REFUEL

    BATTLED FAST PACE & HELD WELL IN PALISADES

Selections:

1-6-4/14

Race 10

  • 4. GOD OF WINE

    ON THE IMPROVE; TACTICAL EDGE

  • 1. QUARRYMEN

    CLAIM DROPS A NOTCH; WELL INTENDED

  • 9. GAMETIME GLADIATOR

    DROPPER PUTS BLINKERS BACK ON; OFF THE PACE THREAT

Selections:

4-1-9/12-11-5

Kevin Kilroy

Kevin Kilroy is a racing and handicapping analyst covering the racing at Churchill Downs, Colonial Downs, Ellis Park, Fair Grounds and Turfway Park.

Race 1

  • 4. Answer the Call

    Tough trip last out

  • 6. Balladry

    Fresh after in too deep last

  • 3. Mitole's Legacy

    Pedigree to continue ascent

Selections:

4/6,3

Race 2

  • 4. B Grayson

    Pedigree + Value should be there

  • 3. Johnny Come Lately

    Sire/connections

  • 6. Predecessor

    Tapit 1ster with steady worktab

Selections:

4,3/6/1

Race 3

  • 3. Availability

    Moved forward despite tough trip

  • 4. Master of the Nite

    Disadvantaged by bias in last

  • 7. Curlins Incharge

    Disadvantaged by bias in last

Selections:

3,4,7

Race 4

  • 2. Supercool

    Has run best fresh/solid work

  • 3. Forge in Fire

    Showed speed into hot pace in last

  • 5. Campton

    Table could be set for clean up

Selections:

2,1,5/8

Race 5

  • 5. Allnight Moonlight

    La-bred stakes winner

  • 6. Boitano

    Two dangerous runners for Frank Miller

  • 4. Ferryboat

    Could wire

Selections:

5,6,4

Race 6

  • 7. Carnane

    Improving type fits big time

  • 12. Embark

    Improved with tough trip in last

  • 4. Tonalite

    Nice race at KEE to build from

Selections:

7/12,4/3,6

Race 7

  • 8. Mystic Pleasure

    Should be fit to sustain

  • 7. Klimt's Muse

    Will be rolling late

  • 5. Stunningly

    Gun Runner 4yo showed heart in win

Selections:

8/7,5/1,2

Race 8

  • 5. Classic Causeway

    Poised for a big one

  • 6. Masqueparade

    Looks like longer is his best

  • 8. Master Game

    Forster barn is hot

Selections:

5,6/8/1,2,3

Race 9

  • 14. This Is Uscar

    Paired 6s on ThoroGraph

  • 5. Debt Paid

    Formful winner on the cutback

  • 1. Mansa Musa (Ire)

    Overcame slow start in last

Selections:

14/5,1,4,13

Race 10

  • 9. Gametime Gladiator

    Good spot for nifty mover

  • 11. Tizzy Indy

    Back to track/distance where he won

  • 12. Fan the Fire

    Slop/track bias excuse last

Selections:

9,11/12,1/5

Tony Calo

Churchill Downs Racing Analyst as well as Turfway Park and Ellis Park Announcer.

Race 1

  • 3. Mitole's Legacy

    Recent maiden winner could be live against winners.

  • 2. Singsational

    Should come with a good run.

  • 5. January Jubilee

    Late runner should be closing nicely.

Selections:

3/2-5/467

Race 2

  • 3. Johnny Come Lately

    Ward has tremendous percentage with firsters.

  • 2. Indigo Wind

    Should benefit with debut run under his belt.

  • 7. Complex Music

    Very productive dam with progeny.

Selections:

3/2-6/7

Race 3

  • 3. AVAILABILITY

    SPEED AND SHOULD APPRECIATE THE ADDED REAL ESTATE

  • 2. TIVERTON

    NICE PROGRESSION FROM START ONE TO TWO

  • 7. CURLINS INCHARGE

    HAS HAD LOTS OF CHANCES

Selections:

3/2-7/4-1

Race 4

  • 8. CHITWOOD

    DANGEROUS SPEED IN A SOMEWHAT PACELESS RACE

  • 5. CAMPTON

    NICE CLASS DROP FROM PRODUCTIVE BARN

  • 4. PERILANO

    CLASS DROP BIGGEST AID

Selections:

8/4-5/2-1

Race 5

  • 6. BOITANO

    INTRIGUING LONG SHOT LIKES A FAST TRACK

  • 1. COOL QUARTET

    BEST RACE MAKES HIM A STRONG CONTENDER

  • 5. ALLNIGHT MOONLIGHT

    LOUISIANNA BRED HAS SOME SNEAKY PAST CLASS

Selections:

6-1/5/2-8

Race 6

  • 9. PENDULUM

    HOPING TODAY IS THE DAY

  • 11. LEO TORO

    PRONISING DEBUT, SHOULD BE RUNNING THROUGH LANE

  • 4. TONALITE

    SEEMS LIKE A SOLID FIT IN HERE

Selections:

9-11/4-3/5-6

Race 7

  • 1. MIGHTY MADISON

    I'VE ALWAYS FELT SHE HAS A TON OF ABILITY

  • 2. ROSWELL

    VERY TALENTED FILLY

  • 5. STUNNINGLY

    COMEBACKER HAS ABILITY

Selections:

1-2/5/3-8

Race 8

  • 7. NEXT

    THE CHAMP IS HERE

  • 5. CLASSIC CAUSEWAY

    SHOULD BE MUCH TIGHER TODAY

  • 6. MASQUEPARADE

    JUST FINISHED AHEAD OF SECOND PICK

Selections:

7/5-6/3

Race 9

  • 1. MANSA MUSA

    LOTS AND LOTS OF PACE FOR THIS SOLID CLOSER

  • 4. REFUEL

    PART OF THE SPEED

  • 6. NO NAY METS

    TALENTED INDIVIDUAL WILL BE MUCH TIGHTER TODAY

Selections:

1/4-6/13-14

RACE 10

  • 1. QUARRYMEN

    INSIDE SPEEDY SORT WITH A NICE WORKTAB FOR THIS

  • 11. TIZZY INDY

    LOTS OF PAST CLASS

  • 10. SUMMER IN AIKEN

    GOOD LOOKING RECENT MAIDEN WINNER

Selections:

1/ 11-10 /12-9-5-4

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