Rowdy Rob's Raucous Rundown at Churchill Downs' Derby Spectacle on May 3:
Derby Day Picks for Churchill Downs on May 3, Kentucky
D-Day at the Track: The Kentucky Derby might be the main event, but the rest of the 13-race, eight-hour racing extravaganza deserves your attention. Since the Derby is restricted to 3Y0s, remember that most races feature upperclassmen and ladies, many of them seasoned warriors in horseracing. Grab a beer and dive into the other dozen races; you won't be disappointed!
Rowdy Rob's Recommendations at Churchill Downs for Derby Day 05/03
Race 1 (11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT) - $120K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3Y0s & Up going 1 1/16-mileRowdy Rob is going for a rowdy double: #2 CROMWELL (9-2 morning line) for ballsy trainer Cherie DeVaux with seasoned jock Jose Ortiz, and #8 SANSONE (6-1), a costly descendant of Uncle Moe. Shug McGaughey trains, Joel Rosario rides. CHURCHILL RECOMMENDATION: $5 Daily Doubles 2,8/7,10 ($20)
Race 2 (11:32 a.m. ET/8:32 a.m. PT) - $134K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going a mileTo complete the Daily Double, let loose the wild beast #7 NORMANDY QUEEN (9-2 morning line) for grizzled coach Ron Moquett, who lures Flavien Prat to ride. Crazy Lady #10 GENEROUS LOVER (7-2) enters the ring wearing fast works for Joe Sharp. Mega rider upgrade with Irad Ortiz, Jr.**
Race 3 (12:05 p.m. ET/9:05 a.m. PT) - $127K OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mileRowdy Rob's backing #5 GOAL ORIENTED (4-1 morning line) for trainer Bob Baffert, who poaches Flavien Prat to ride the speedy sprinter as he stretches out - and demolishes the competition!CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (12:38 p.m. ET/9:38 a.m. PT) - $200K KNICK'S GO STAKES for 4YOs & Up going a mileRowdy Rob likes three: #9 LIBERAL ARTS (3-1 morning line) for confident trainer Brad Cox with Luis Saez planting his flag anew; #10 IMPLEMENTATION (6-1) for Team Ramsey with Manny Franco charging into the fray, and #11 INVEIGLED (10-1) for talented trainer Jane Cibelli, who brings in young, promising rider Ben Curtis.
Race 5 (1:12 p.m. ET/10:12 a.m. PT) - G2 $750K CHURCHILL DISTAFF for fillies and mares, 4YOs & Up going a mile on the turfRowdy Rob's pick is #10 SPECIAL WAN (5-2 morning line) for scorching Brendan Walsh kennel; Luis Saez remains in command after a stakes win at Gulfstream. CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 6 (1:53 p.m. ET/10:53 a.m. PT) - G2 $600K PAT DAY MILE for 3YOsRowdy Rob's technique is #1 MADAKET ROAD (2-1 morning line). Bob Baffert welcomes jockey Irad Ortiz back on for a speedy sophomore to cruise to victory in a graded stakes event. CHURCHILL SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 7 (2:38 p.m. ET/11:38 a.m. PT) - G2 $600K TWIN SPIRES SPRINT for 3YOs & Up going 5 1⁄2 furlongs on the turfRowdy Rob's pick is #7 THINK BIG (4-1 morning line) for slick, seasoned trainer Michael Stidham, with young regular rider Ben Curtis at the reins. On the wild side, opportunities abound - are you up for the challenge? CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 8 (3:23 p.m. ET/12:23 p.m. PT) - G1 $1M CHURCH DOWNS STAKES for 4YOs & Up going 7 furlongsRowdy Rob likes a trio: #7 MINDFRAME (3-1 morning line) for the wild, passionate fanbase of Repole-Pletcher-Irad, #10 NYOS (4-1) for the obsessed Baffert-Prat supporters, and #11 MULLIKIN (7-2) for courageous Rudy Brisset disciples. Master Luis Saez accepts the ride on our wild card.
Race 9 (4:06 p.m. ET/1:06 p.m. PT) - G1 $1M AMERICAN TURF CLASSIC for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mileRowdy Rob's on a mission to annihilate the rest with #3 NEW CENTURY (3-1 morning line) for the blazing Brendan Walsh, who assigns top jock Irad Ortiz, Jr. to the reins. Gather 'round, Billy, and let's stir up some trouble! CHURCHILL SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 12 (6:57 p.m. ET/3:57 p.m. PT) - G1 $5M KENTUCKY DERBY for 3YOs going 11⁄4-mileRowdy Rob revels in the madness! Longshots bring the best breed of chaos: #12 EAST AVENUE (20-1 morning line) for the unstoppable Brendan Walsh and his skilled rider, Manny Franco. Don't forget to chance #8 JOURNALISM (3-1) and #9 BURNHAM SQUARE (12-1) as well. (See Kent Derby Betting Guide here.) CHURCHILL SELECTION: $20 to Win & Place & $5 Exacta Box. ($70)
WAR CHEST: $210
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- In addition to the Kentucky Derby, Rowdy Rob recommends paying attention to Race 1 on Derby Day, the $120K Maiden Special Weight for 3Y0s & Up going 1 1/16-mile, as he is backing #2 CROMWELL (9-2 morning line) and #8 SANSONE (6-1).
- For Race 2, a $134K Allowance Claiming for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going a mile, Rowdy Rob suggests #7 NORMANDY QUEEN (9-2 morning line) and #10 GENEROUS LOVER (7-2).
- In Race 3, the $127K Optional Claiming for 3YOs going 1 1/16-mile, Rowdy Rob is backing #5 GOAL ORIENTED (4-1 morning line) for trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Flavien Prat.
- For horse-racing enthusiasts attending the Derby Spectacle on May 3, be sure to check out Race 12, the G1 $5M Kentucky Derby for 3YOs going 11⁄4-mile, where Rowdy Rob recommends longshots like #12 EAST AVENUE (20-1 morning line), #8 JOURNALISM (3-1), and #9 BURNHAM SQUARE (12-1).
