Expert Selections

RACE 1#1 Maximus Beauty – Plenty of excuses; edge in tough call. #6 No Fault – Still trying to fi nd her niche; fi ts well here. #2 Saved by the Swell – On the improve; distance suits. #8 Ring Me Up – Well drawn outside for hot barn; consider.

Joe’s SELECTIONS – 1-6-2-8/5-3

RACE 2 #5 Hembree – Solid turf runs, but pedigree says dirt too. #7 Salute With Honor – Just missed in restricted stake. #4 Awesome Saturday – Fired big too late; route debut. #8 No Mo Dough – Learning lessons; route timing right.

Joe’s SELECTIONS – 5-7-4-8-2

RACE 3 #3 Wabel – Loved his win two back; runs back to that?#5 Rocket Time – Loves it at Churchill; adds blinkers. #7 Donegal Moon – May have found his niche; on edge.#1 Flashy Jewel – Speedster battles from go to whoa.

Joe’s SELECTIONS – 3-5-7/1-6

RACE 4 #10 Harlan Strong – Debut sprint sets him up for this; price. #1 Caviar Czar – Bred to be a good one; dam says grass. #5 Souper Fly Over – 4th in key race o� bench; fi rst route.#6 Perfect Partner – Closed ground in debut; route bred.

Joe’s SELECTIONS – 10-1-5/6-9-7

By: Joe Kristufek

@JoeyDaKRacing

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KK’s Play of the DayBy: Kevin Kerstein

@HorseRacingKK

The 143rd Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands – Deemed as “racing’s bad boy,” Classic Empire was voted the unanimous 2-year-old champion of 2016. John Oxley’s colt showed his dominance by winning the April 15 Arkansas Derby but not before reverting back to his nickname, giving his trainer Mark Casse a fi t this winter by refusing to train. Classic Empire is much happier back home at Churchill Downs and has looked great in preparation for America’s Greatest Race.

Suggested Play: #14 Classic Empire

RACE 5#7 Element – Prepped in classy, grassy dash; price is right. #1 Forge – Huge 2nd in key race despite early trouble. #10 War Envoy – Cali invader in fi ne form; must respect. #13 Adventist – Won grass debut; up to tougher task?

Joe’s SELECTIONS – 7-1/10/13-5-3-11-15-16

RACE 6 – The Humana Distaff#7 Carina Mia – Best runs came at CD; fi nds clear sailing. #5 Finest City – Classy gal can do it all; the one to beat. #2 Paulassilverlining – Loves getting her picture taken. #6 Lightstream – Has run some huge races; still has upside.

Joe’s SELECTIONS – 7-5/2-6/4-3

RACE 7 – The Churchill Distaff Turf Mile presented by Longines

#6 Roca Rojo – Proved her class; storms home late. #2 Miss Temple City – Tremendous turf resume; fi res fresh?#1 Linda – Proving she belongs; the best is yet to come?#7 Harmonize – Begging for a fast pace to kick at; gimmicks.

Joe’s SELECTIONS – 6-2-1/7-4-3

RACE 8 – The Pat Day Mile presented by LG&E and KU

#5 No Dozing – Big trouble in Lexington; runs them over. #1 Local Hero – Didn’t make Derby; better o� here. #4 Uncontested – Best suited to one-turn; huge recent work.#9 Excitations – Visually impressive; must prove he belongs.

Joe’s SELECTIONS – 5/1-4/9/12-11-8

RACE 9 – The American Turf presented by Ram Trucks

#3 Parlor – Forgive Spiral clunker; can bounce back big. #4 Oscar Performance – 1st Lasix; can make amends. #9 Made You Look – Welcome return to turf; dangerous. #10 Good Samaritan – Extremely talented; fully cranked?

Joe’s SELECTIONS – 3-4-9-10-11/7-5-2-1/6

RACE 10 – The Churchill Downs presented by Twinspires.com

#1 Awesome Slew – Monstrous win at Keeneland; repeats it?#5 Clearly Now – Got back on track in a big way; dangerous. #2 Masochistic – Cali raider is speedy & classy; pressured?#12 Denman’s Call – Upset Masochistic in last; real deal?

Joe’s SELECTIONS – 1/5-2/12-8-10-9

RACE 11 – The Woodford Reserve Turf Classic#7 World Approval – Impressive seasonal bow; classy gray. #2 Divisidero – 2 for 2 on CD turf; probably best in last. #6 Bal a Bali – Veteran Cali raider as good as he’s ever been.#8 Beach Patrol – Speedy and game; go to whoa threat again.

Joe’s SELECTIONS – 7-2/6-8-1/4-12

RACE 12 – The 143rd Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands

#5 Always Dreaming – Speedy & will run all day; comes true?#15 McCraken – Proven at CD, well handled & sharp as a tack.#17 Irish War Cry – Has run huge races; can spy the speed. #14 Classic Empire – 2yo champ back on track; good as any. #16 – Tapwrit – Going to excuse Blue Grass clunker; price!

Joe’s SELECTIONS – 5-15/17-14-16/8-2/6/10-9-11

RACE 13#1a Hard Scramble – Light bulb went o� in last; repeat?#2 Visionary Tale – Highly regarded; must work a trip. #9 Casses Story – Sits the catbird’s seat; runs them over?#8 Rockin Rudy – Best runs in turf sprints; good enough?

Joe’s SELECTIONS – 1a-2/9-8/3-6-4

RACE 14#11 Wicked Macho – Burning up the work tab; watch tote.#9 Unk – Promising debut way back when; patience pays. #2 Morocco – Slow start in grass return; legged up for this. #4 Souper Wish – Casse’s other runner just missed in debut.

Joe’s SELECTIONS – 11-9/2-4/13-5-8

By: Joe Kristufek

@JoeyDaKRacing