Churchill’s Thursday feature is an $80,000 allowance optional claimer going 6 furlongs over the dirt. The race goes off as the eighth. Race 7 is also alluring. That’s a $62,500 allowance optional claimer going a mile over the dirt. We handicap and make free horse racing picks for both allowance optional claiming events as well as an interesting turf race on Churchill’s Thursday card. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds from Churchill Downs for Thursday, June 25. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.
Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks
- When: Thursday, June 25 at 1:00 pm ET
- Where: Louisville, KY
- Weather: Mostly Sunny
Churchill Downs Picks for Thursday, June 25
Race 3 – 2:06 pm ET – 1 1/16 Miles Turf – $40,000 Claiming
Mike Maker trained Zabava rates as the top choice in the third under the Twin Spires on Thursday. The 5/2 morning line favorite rallied 4-wide to get up for the win in it’s last, a mile event over the grass at Gulfstream Park on June 6. There’s enough speed in this to set up Zabava’s closing kick. We’ll put the favorite on top.
Diamondcoat has a decent shot of taking these gate to wire. The speed of the speed won a $25,000 claiming event over the dirt by 6 ¾ lengths in her last. She’s never won over the turf. But trainer Eddie Keneally wins 19% with horses going turf to dirt and 30% first after the claim. Consider for the top choice if Zabava doesn’t impress.
Foxtail could pressure Diamondcoat from the outset. Trainer John Sadler brings the 6-year-old mare from Santa Anita to Churchill. She’s not in great form, but Foxtail does drop from optional claiming $62,500. Consider for all 3 slots on your trifecta ticket.
- Win: Zabava
- Place: Diamondcoat
- Show: Foxtail
Race 7 – 4:14 pm ET – 1 Mile Dirt – $62,500 Allowance Optional Claiming
Trainer Phil D’Amato has just a win and a second from 11 starters this meet. D’Amato has a real shot to notch his second victory with 7/2 on the morning line Rockin Ready. In her last, the More Than Ready sired 5-year-old mare went gate to wire in a 1 mile $86,000 allowance at Oaklawn Park. She heads into this off an awesome work on June 18 while jockey Florent Geroux can save a ton of ground because Rockin breaks from post-position 1.
Geroux figures to yield the lead to jockey Joe Talamo aboard Sara Sea. The D. Wayne Lukas trained front runner has finished third in her last couple of route races. There isn’t a ton of speed signed on, which is why we’ll make the 4-year-old filly second.
Figure It Out could run right by both Rockin Ready and Sara Sea. Trainer Joe Sharp has a 6-3-5 record from 24 starters at Churchill. That’s an awesome record. Also, jockey Martin Garcia could put Figure It Out right to the outside of Sara Sea and Rockin Ready. If those two get into a speed duel, this one will be right there to pick up the pieces. If the odds are right, consider for the top spot.
- Win: Rockin Ready
- Place: Sara Sea
- Show: Figure It Out
Race 8 – 4:46 pm ET – 6 Furlongs Dirt – $80,000 Allowance Optional Claiming
Geroux hops aboard Admiral Lynch, our top play for Race 8 at Churchill Downs on Thursday. The Super Saver sired 4-year-old colt finished second in his first for trainer Mike Maker. That race was at 6 ½ furlongs. This is at 6. The ½ length cut back in distance could make all the difference.
Mucho got by Admiral Lynch to finish second to Fast Pass by a neck in his last race. Bill Mott trains, which is a good thing, but, again, this is at a 6 furlongs while the last race was at 6 ½. The presser could find it difficult to catch the top choice at the shorter distance.
Absolutely Aiden has 2 wins from 4 races over Churchill’s dirt. Trainer Wesley Hawley cuts this one back in distance from 7 furlongs to 6. If neither of the top two choices fire, Aiden has a shot to take this field gate to wire.
- Win: Admiral Lynch
- Place: Mucho
- Show: Absolutely Aiden
