Kentucky Derby 2021

 

The Kentucky Derby is upon us!  The wait is finally over!

Let’s take a look at the Kentucky Derby card and we will make a few selections.

Check the latest weather conditions at Churchill Downs.

Betting Menu

If you have followed our picks at HorseRacingPlayersClub.com you know we are a big fan of daily doubles.  This big racing days are chuck full of talented horses and in many cases, some inflated payouts.

Also we will give out a few selections in other key races and give you a peek into what wagers we will follow this weekend.

 

Race 7 ~ The Derby City Distaff

7 Furlongs on Dirt

 

#4 Gamine is a giant.  She will be at a small price but she looks tough to beat.  Look to use her as a single in pick 3, pick 4, pick 5 and pick 6 plays.

Race 8 ~ Pat Day Mile

1 Mile on Dirt

 

This years Pat Day Mile has some intrigue.  Will #3 Jackie’s Warrior be what he was as a 2 year old ?  This colt excelled going one turn races as a juvenile.  The two turn races haven’t been as good.  Churchill Downs has this one turn mile and we will see if the cut back in distance today will help #3 Jackie’s Warrior.

#5 Prevalence started his career off great down at Gulfstream  Park.  He won two races in a row then tried tougher up at Aqueduct and wilted in his first graded stakes event.  Cutting back to the one turn mile should help get the best out of him.

#6 Starrininmydreams is 2 for 2 at Churchill Downs.  He started his career in Louisville, Ky then moved south to run in graded stakes in Louisiana and then back to Kentucky in Lexington.  He will cut back to a mile and has a nice post draw, he got stuck down on the rail both times at the Fairgrounds.

#7 Whiskey Double looks like the distance should fit this guy perfectly.  Ran a good 2nd at Aqueduct last out, gets a great draw should improve.

#8 Dream Shake started off his career with a bang.  Won impressively first out then went on to face giants going two turns in graded stakes action at Santa Anita.  Well the cut back should help as well as this is a softer spot as far as competition.

#9 Sittin On Go if this race goes really fast then this guy could mow them all down late.  Won a race as a two year old doing just that here at the same distance.

 

Race 9 ~ The American Turf

1 1/16 Mile on Turf

 

#4 Annex is an undefeated  Bill Mott trainee shipping up from Gulfstream.  He has won impressively all three of his races.  He will get another shot at #13 Scarlett Sky who almost beat him in the Palm Beach Stakes and who came back and won a grade 3 at Keeneland.

Race 10 ~ The Churchill Downs Stakes

7 Furlongs on Dirt

 

This race is wide open.  The classy #9 Whitmore may have something left in his tank to gut out a win but if he doesn’t there are many options.  This race is probably a case where you trust the veteran runner or you spread deep in here.  We decided to go all in here to see if we can catch a price.

Race 11 ~ Turf Classic

1 1/8 Miles on Turf

 

This race is another tough race filled with talented runners.  #4 Ivar stands out though.  This horse has ran 4 races in a row with Beyer Speed Figures over 100.  Now the Beyers are not everything but it does show the horse was in good form last year and that the trainer Paulo Lobo can have this horse fire fresh off the bench.

He fired a 100 Beyer at Churchill Downs at Churchill last year then took a break and went 102 off the freshening.  This guy has tactical speed and should find a nice trip.

 

Race 12 ~ Kentucky Derby

1 1/4 on Dirt

 

20 horse fields are a challenge.  Finding a great trip avoiding problems is a little bit luck and a lot of skill by the horse and jockey.

#7 Mandaloun had a bad race last out in the Louisiana Derby.  It happens.  This horse looked like it was improving until it threw in that clunker we just mentioned.  This horse can turn it around and run way better than it did down at The Fairgrounds.

#8 Medina Spirit is the Bob Baffert entry to this years Derby.  This horse looks like he likes running near or on the lead.  Chances are he will be there.  He caught some stiff competition along the way to Louisville so don’t be surprised if Baffert is holding the trophy after the race.

#9 Hot Rod Charlie went wire to wire winning the Louisiana Derby and has shown the ability to rate.  This pony closed and ran second to #14 Essential Quality in the Breeders Cup Juvenile and found all kinds of trouble in the R&B Lewis at Santa Anita finishing 3rd by a neck.  With this nice post he should sit chilly in a nice spot and if he is good enough he can win.

#14 Essential Quality is the undefeated favorite.  You have to respect his talent.  This colt deserves favoritism and with the outside draw should be able to pick the spot he wants to run from.  If he gets a clean trip should be difficult to handle.

#15 Rock Your World this California horse started his career crushing rivals on turf.  Then he switched to a grade 1 on dirt and crushed 8 other horses in the Santa Anita Derby.  This guy oozes talent.  He wired the field in the SA Derby but has shown the ability to rate on turf.

Plays Of The Day

.20 Pick 6

Race 7

#4 Gamine

Race 8 

#3 Jackie’s Warrior 

#5 Prevalence

#6 Starrininmydreams

#7 Whiskey Double

#8 Dream Shake

#9 Sittin On Go

Race 9

#4 Annex

#13 Scarlett Sky

Race 10

All Button 

Race 11

#4 Ivar

Race 12

#7 Mandaloun

#8 Medina Spirit

#9 Hot Rod Charlie

#14 Essential Quality

#15 Rock Your World

 

Daily Double

Race 11

#4 Ivar

Race 12

#7 Mandaloun

#8 Medina Spirit 

#9 Hot Rod Charlie

#15 Rock Your World

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