EXPERT PICKS
SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2025

Joe Kristufek
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Fair Grounds and Twin Spires' senior producer & 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 the game. A self-proclaimed "horse racing ambassador", Joe's industry experience spans from Dubai to Hong Kong to roughly 40 tracks across North America.
RACE 1
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4. TIGER MOON
EXCUSE WHEN LAST SEEN; FITS, FRESH & READY
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1. ETHEREAL ROAD
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7. PAPA YO
Selections:
4-1/7/5-3-6
RACE 2
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5. MY SEXY BLONDE
PEDIGREE SAYS YES TO DIRT; PRICE SHOPPING IN OPEN RACE
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3. UNION DAME
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6. FIFTH OF MAY
Selections:
5-3-6-8-10/2
RACE 3
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7. DAI VERNON
TOUGH TO DENY WITH ENOUGH PACE TO CHASE
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4. WINTERS LION
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6. NEON NIGHTS
Selections:
7-4-6/3/2-5
RACE 4
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6. CAN'T HUSH THIS
HIS LATE RUN WILL NOT BE SILENCED TODAY
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1. GUNNER BAY
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4. BIG HAT WILLIE
Selections:
6/1-4/2-5
RACE 5
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4. KEEN CUT
MONSTER IN STARTERS; HIS RACE TO LOSE
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6. SYSTEMIC CHANGE
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1. AMERICAN LAW
Selections:
4/6/1-7/2-3-8
RACE 6
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7. GARDINER
CLAIMING WAIVER; TACTICAL EDGE FOR TOUGH TEAM
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1. CHARBONNAY
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3. GETTINBY
Selections:
7/1-3-2-4
RACE 7
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5. SULTRY LASS
SNEAKILY CAPABLE WITH THESE; READY TO FIRE FRESH
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1. AYRA STARK (ARG)
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3. SUDDEN SWITCH
Selections:
5-1-3/4-6-7
RACE 8
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10. NAVY SEAL (IRE)
JUST MISSED DESPITE BIG TROUBLE IN LAST; STILL HAS UPSIDE
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9. MY BOY TONY
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3. PRESIDER
Selections:
10/9-3-2-5-8
RACE 9
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12. TAYLOR'S VERSION
WELL-BRED, SHARP WORKS FOR HOT BARN
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4. CAMP HALE
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11. REACTION
Selections:
12-4/11-16-14/5-2-10-9

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
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7. PAPA YO
SHARP DRILLS FOR THE COMEBACK; DRAWS NICELY WITH TACTICAL OPTIONS
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4. TIGER MOON
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5. SWISS SLANG
Selections:
7-4-5/1
Race 2
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5. MY SEXY BLONDE
LIKELY OVERLOOKED BY PUBLIC; HIS BEST FITS
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10. JUDY'S FLYER
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2. RED ROYALTY
Selections:
5-10-2/6-4-3
Race 3
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5. REALIGNMENT
BARN STRONG TURF TO DIRT; HAS NICE SETUP AND STRONG FINISH
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4. WINTER'S LION
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7. DAI VERNON
Selections:
5-4/7-6/2-3
Race 4
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1. GUNNER BAY
STRONG FORM AND HAS BEEN FACING TOUGH FIELDS AT FG
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4. BIG HAT WILLIE
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6. CAN'T HUSH THIS
Selections:
1/4-6-7/2-5
Race 5
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4. KEEN CAT
PROVEN FASTEST HORSE & LOVE HIM GOING A ONE-TURN MILE
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7. DANCE SOME MO
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3. SHIPMAN
Selections:
4/7-3/1-2
Race 6
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4. SHAN
GETS CLASS RELIEF AND BACK TO A FAST MAIN TRACK
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3. GETTINBY
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2. COMPLEX MUSIC
Selections:
4-3-2/7
Race 7
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6. IMPEL
NICE PREP AT KEE; NOW BACK TO PREFERRED DISTANCE
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4. AMBER CASCADE
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3. SUDDEN SWITCH
Selections:
6/4-3-2/7-8
Race 8
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3. PRESIDER
POISED TO MOVE FORWARD AND COULD TRIP OUT
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10. NAVY SEAL
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6. THICK AS THIEVES
Selections:
3-10-6/4-8-9
Race 9
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4. CAMP HALE
TALENTED WILKES TRAINEE HAS BEEN FACING MONSTERS; TODAY'S HIS DAY
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1. SHIP SHIP HOORAY
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11. REACTION
Selections:
4/1-11/2-12-14-6

Tony Calo
Churchill Downs Racing Analyst as well as Turfway Park and Ellis Park Announcer.
Race 1
Race 2
Race 3
Race 4
Race 5
Race 6
Race 7
Race 8
Race 9
FOLLOW FOR UPDATES AND EXCLUSIVES
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