Churchill Downs Selections for Wednesday, April 30th

Twitter, Facebook, Email## Mr. Ed's Churchill Downs Picks for Wednesday, April 30: The Derby Week Kickoff!

HEY BUDDY! It's Mr. Ed here, and I'm back with my Derby Week picks! Although I can't join the festivities this year, my expert picks will help you score big! Wednesday's 10-race card is a cracker, as the crowd flocks to Churchill Downs. Keep those umbrellas handy, as rain's expected through Saturday afternoon. The action starts at 1:10 PM ET/4:10 PM PT. Sit back, relax, and learn my picks for the day!

Mr. Ed's Selections at Churchill Downs for Wednesday, April 30

Race 3 (1:45 PM ET/10:45 AM PT) - $48K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mileThree longshots to consider: #3 PAVED IN GOLD (5-2 morning line), dropping in class with Colby Hernandez aboard; #5 OLD TRACE (7-2), racing for the first time over a mile, with Jose Ortiz in the saddle; and #8 ONE MOR STORY (4-1), with Joel Rosario keeping his trust, dropping in class.

CHURCHILL SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)

Race 4 (2:15 PM ET/11:15 AM PT) - $134K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 5 furlongs on the turfGo with #11 URBAN LEGEND (7-2 morning line), trained by Jose D'Angelo, who gives top rider Irad Ortiz Jr. another shot. This son of Into Mischief drops after a bullet work.

CHURCHILL SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)

Race 5 (2:45 PM ET/11:45 AM PT) - $57K CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongsBack #7 FOCUSYN (7-2), trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. Irad Ortiz Jr. is in the irons after several fast works and a class drop.

CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)

Race 7 (3:47 PM ET/12:47 PM PT) - $1 PICK 4

If there's a quartet to cheer: My main pick is #4 CLASSIC Q (3-1 morning line) for HOF trainer Mark Casse and top jockey Jose Ortiz. I'll also bet on the long shot #1 LIKELY PERSPECTIVE (20-1), added blinkers by trainer Al Stall Jr. I'll round out my picks with # EXPATRIATE (9-2) for jockey Flavien Prat and #9 HOPE MISSION (7-2) for stunning combo of Brendan Walsh and Irad Ortiz Jr.

CHURCHILL SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($40)

Race 8 (4:19 PM ET/1:19 PM PT) - $200K ISAAC MURPHY MARATHON for 4YOs & up going 1 1/2-mileDon't miss out on my BEST BET OF THE DAY, the tireless #1 HONOR MARIE (7-2 morning line), hoping to win the 2020 Kentucky Derby. With up-and-coming trainer Whit Beckman and young rider Ben Curtis, they're sure to conquer the race.

CHURCHILL SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)

Race 9 (4:52 PM ET/1:52 PM PT) - $300K WILLIAM WALKER STAKES for 3YOs going 51⁄2 furlongs on the turfTake a chance on #6 MAKEIT TO CHEYENNE (4-1 morning line) for journeyman conditioner Joe Orseno, who's entered the lightly raced gelding after two impressive wins.

CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)

TOTAL WAGERS: $176

THURBY AT THE DERBY: Once upon a time, before the 1970s, about 100,000 racing fans could barely fit into the aging clubhouse and grandstand at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. Out-of-towners attending the Derby began to outnumber local folks. So the locals decided that they would show up the day before, claiming Friday at the Derby as their own. Now it's grown so much that Thursday and Friday crowds match Saturday's crowds. So Thurby was born! With all the mint juleps, designer outfits, and friends, don't miss out on the fun. If you can't attend Thurby at the Derby, count on Mr. Ed to be here at VSiN.com with his picks.

2025 Kentucky Derby Betting: Your Guide to Saturday's Run for the Roses

Chruchill Downs: 1/ST BET Horse Racing Predictions for April 30

2025 Kentucky Derby Post Positions, Draw, Horses, Trainers, and Jockeys

Weather Forecast:April 30 (Wednesday): Scattered showers and thunderstorms possible, especially in the afternoon[1][3].Thursday and Friday: Elevated rain chances continue, with Friday’s Kentucky Oaks race at risk of wet weather disruptions[1].Saturday, May 3: Lingering morning showers may clear by midday, allowing the track to dry before the 6:57 p.m. ET race. Highs will be in the 60s, and cooler air is expected post-rain[1][2]. Weather conditions may cause the track to remain damp or sloppy, similar to the "sloppy" Derby years like 2019[1][4]. Stay tuned for updates as race week progresses!

The picking for race 7 on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at Churchill Downs includes #4 CLASSIC Q (3-1 odds) and #1 LIKELY PERSPECTIVE (20-1), with the latter being a long shot.
The 2025 Kentucky Derby best bet, according to Mr. Ed, is the tireless #1 HONOR MARIE (7-2 odds), trained by Whit Beckman and ridden by Ben Curtis.
For race 9 on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at Churchill Downs, consider #6 MAKEIT TO CHEYENNE (4-1 odds), a lightly raced gelding entered by journeyman conditioner Joe Orseno.
On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, the horse-racing action at Churchill Downs will be tracked and analyzed by Mr. Ed as part of Derby Week.