Churchill Downs Race 9 Ack Ack Stakes Grade 3

• 3 Three Technique- 6 year old comes in here in fine form having won back-to-back races, including a Grade 2 while sprinting at Belmont, he stretches out to a mile today, he’s run well here at Churchill and sports a recent bullet, Win Contender


• 4 Stage Raider- steps up the class ladder after an impressive 2-length win in a local Stakes at Ellis Park, this Cherie Devaux trainee came home very quick that day with a strong gallop out, with the pace likely to be hot early, look for this son of Pioneer of the Nile to be once again flying late down the stretch, Win Contender


• 2 O Besos- is another in here who will benefit from the likely hot pace, 5 year old sports some of the best late pace figures of this group, should be part of the mix, Major Player

Selections 3-4-2-5

Churchill Downs Race 10 Lukas Classic Stakes Grade 2

• 4 Rattle N Roll- laid an egg last out in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Stakes last out, but I’m going to forgive that effort, Colt never took to the surface at the Spa, he now gets back to the friendly confines of Churchill Downs, where he’s won 3 of 6, his recent 1/24 bullet tells me he’s ready to get back to his winning ways, Win Contender


• 6 Blue Devil- Gelding looks like a whole different animal after switching surfaces to the dirt in his last 2 starts, winning by 12 in a lower level Allowance two back, then defeating Allowance/ Optional 62.5k2x foes in the mud at Saratoga, he steps up yet again and I believe has a good chance to make an impact in here at a price, Live Longshot


• 7 Whelen Springs- has won 2 of 3 , including a Grade 3 since switching to the Lindsay Schultz barn Jockey Jose Ferrer, who was aboard on those two victories, rides back today, Major Threat

Selections 4-6-7-9

Santa Anita Race 8 Awesome Again Stakes Grade 1

• 3 Slow Down Andy- is one of my favorite horses in training right now, Colt always gives a great effort and is never respected at the windows, which I hope is the case today. He ran well in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic when finishing 3^rd, the distance just might have been to long for this son of Nyquist, he’ll relish the cutback here and I believe is sitting on a huge race, Top Pick


• 4 National Treasure- Preakness winner is the controlling speed in here and if no one pressures this guy early he could take them gate to wire, Win Contender


• 1 Senor Buscador- if a speed duel develops up front, look for this closer to run them down late, he sports some the best late race numbers of this bunch, Major Threat

Selections 3-4-1-2

Santa Anita Race 9 Eddie D Stakes Grade 2

• 6 Lanes Way- makes second start off the layoff after finishing 5^th while sprinting at Del Mar in Grade 3, Gelding had an awful trip that day 5 furlongs is just too short for this son of Into Mischief, he’ll love the stretch-out to 6 and a half furlongs today, where he’s won 2 of 4 with 2 seconds, Win Contender


• 1 Balnikhov- Gelding is a tough competitor and I’ve bet this one many times, the problem is he’s a deep closer who is pace-dependent, if they quick early he likely wins, but that’s a big “if”, Win Contender


• 2 Bran- Gelding should be much more fit second off the pine today, he has 2 bullet works coming in and gets the very good Juan Hernandez in the irons, Win Contender

Selections 6-1-2-7

Santa Anita Race 10 City of Hope Stakes Grade 2

• 4 Hong Kong Harry- has been facing some salty runners in Grade 1 competition he’s run well in those races but couldn’t get the W, this is a drop in class for this competitor, I believe he handles this group with ease today, Top Pick


• 8 Canthkin Peak- has a phenomenal late turn of foot, the problem is he somehow finds himself in trouble during his races and doesn’t win often, maybe today’s the day he gets a clean trip and takes care of business, Win Contender


• 7 Twist - draw a line through this ones effort in the G2 Del Mar Mile, Gelding had awful trip, Irish Bred had two good efforts here in the States and could be sitting a big run, Major Threat

Selections 4-8-7-6