Churchill Downs Picks: Pair of graded turf events anchor Saturday card on June 4

Churchill Downs has the Kentucky Derby in the background, but the rest of the Meet continues on. Prepped to run through the July 4th holiday, there will be a regular set of races Thursday through Sunday.

With an 11-race card coming your way, it will make for some excellent betting opportunities. One of the features this summer is the new Matt Winn Turf Course, which opens with a brand new grass surface. Check the weather conditions because rain can always impact the situation. Whatever happens ... it should be a super day at the races!

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the action! It is a good time for some of the best that North American racing has to offer. Stay tuned! If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country this Saturday be sure to check out our free Horse Racing Picks via the gold button below. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter ... Horseracing_USA !!!

Most Likely Winner: (Race 9: Bango #1, 4/1):

Here is a salty-looking crew, but I am pretty keen to back Greg Foley’s 5-yr-old by Congrats, who happens to be the defending champ. Looking back through his form, you can tell that his ’21 campaign showed excellent promise. In each of his races against “Non-G” Co., he ended up being very competitive. His record at Churchill Downs is excellent (12/6-1-2), and once again, top rider Tyler Gaffalione is aboard. This jockey can hustle with the best of them. What a race … full of all kinds of value,

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #1

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 5: Kneesnhips #4, 6/1):

Against what looks to be a heavy favorite, I like this Tom Amoss runner’s chances. Bred well, she has just been on the fringe in her last pair of races … the Appalachian S. (G2) and the Edgewood S. (G2). Making the switch from James Graham to John Velazquez is an interesting choice. Johnny V has such amazing experience, but we don’t always think of him as an accomplished turf jockey. Owned by Joel Politi, his Connect filly should be a solid price (hovering around 6/1), and if she can find a way through, then the stretch out could be a boon. Might be my best bet of the day!

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #4 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Turf, 1 1/16th, Arlington S. (G3), $200k, 4+):

With a stakes card that is chock full of opportunities on this Saturday afternoon, the Matt Winn feature on the grass is going to be an interesting contest … even though the field only draws 6. Pretty evenly matched, most bettors probably consider Mike Maker’s Field Pass #5 the one to beat. This 5-yr-old has 25 starts to his credit, and the son of Lemon Drop Kid is looking to notch his 9th career win. I’ve backed this one many times before, and he always seems to let me down. I have the utmost respect for Three Diamonds Farm, but I would much rather support Brian Lynch’s new charge, Gray’s Fable #6. The former runner from Roger Attfield’s midst is making a barn switch, and his new conditioner inherits an experienced turfer that is in-form. The son of Gio Ponti won the Opening Verse $160k during the Derby Week, and did all of his work out on the frontend. Julien Leparoux is going to do what he does best … try to steal the race from the break. It is going to take a game effort, breaking from that 6-hole, but if any jockey can do it … it’s him. This gelding has some class to him, having run at Woodbine and Gulfstream, before shipping to Churchill. Let’s use this one as our “key,” and use the aforementioned Maker horse in the place position. The rest of the field can then be rolled underneath. What a turf race this is going to be … contentious … close … and a ton of fun!

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Wheel, 6 w 5 w 1/2/3/4

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Enjoy some racing under the Twin Spires! Best of luck on another run at Churchill Downs!