EXPERT PICKS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2024
Joe Kristufek
Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds and Twin Spires racing analyst Joe Kristufek began his career in his native Chicago, climbing the ladder at the local racing venues. The 1989 rivalry between Kentucky Derby winner Sunday Silence and his nemesis Easy Goer got Joe hooked on horse racing. A self-proclaimed "horse racing ambassador", Joe's industry experience spans from Dubai to Hong Kong to more than 35 tracks across North America.
Race 1
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5. JANUARY JUBLIEE
WIDE TRIP COST HER IN LAST; FITS WELL HERE
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2. SINGSATIONAL
RAN LIKE SHE NEEDED THE RACE LAST OUT
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3. MITOLE'S LEGACY
WIRED SOFT FIELD LAST OUT; GO TO WHOA THREAT HERE
Selections:
5/2/3-4-7-6
Race 2
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4. B GRAYSON
WHERE'S THE RING'S TRAINER BROUGHT THIS ONE TOO
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3. JOHNNY COME LATELY
WARD TOUGH TO GO AGAINST; DEFLATED PRICE
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7. COMPLEX MUSIC
1/2 TO AUSPICIOUS BABE MIGHT WAY MORE GROUND
Selections:
4-3/7-2
Race 3
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3. AVAILABILITY
TROUBLE IN BOTH STARTS AGAINST MUCH BETTER
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7. CURLINS INCHARGE
0 FOR 15, BUT CASHES LOTS OF CHECKS
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1. SPUNS SON
0 FOR 23 AND PEDIGREE IS VERY TURFY
Selections:
3/7/1-5
Race 4
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4. PERLIANO
CLASS RELIEF; THE ONE TO BEAT WITH A-GAME
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5. CAMPTON
PICKS UP PLENTY OF PIECES LATE
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7. FLASH OF GENIUS
HAS TRIED A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING
Selections:
4-5-7/6-1
Race 5
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1. COOL QUARTET
3 FOR 3 WITH IRAD; SHOULD TRIP OUT
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6. BOITANO
SOLID 3RD IN LONE CD TRY; BETTER ON DIRT
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2. ATKINS
SMOKED SOFTER AT HAW; STALK & POUNCE
Selections:
1-6-2-3-8-5
Race 6
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8. KISS ME AGAIN
BETTER THAN SHE LOOKS; BRED TO ROUTE
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11. LEO TORO
SOLID 2ND IN DEBUT; TURF PEDIGREE
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4. TONALITE
IMPROVED WITH EVERY START; TACTICAL EDGE
Selections:
8-11-4/12-7-5-9-6
Race 7
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2. ROSWELL
BRED TO BE A GOOD ONE; STRETCH OUT HELPS
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5. STUNNINGLY
SHOWED PROMISE LAST YEAR; GETS A FRESH START
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1. MIGHTY MADISON
LIGHTLY RACED; MUST RESPECT THE TEAM
Selections:
2/5/1/8-3
Race 8
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7. NEXT
FIRES FRESH; MAKES AMENDS FOR LAST YEAR
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1. DAI VERNON
LONGSHOT RUNS LIKE HE'LL APPRECIATE THE ADDED GROUND
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6. MASQUEPARADE
WON COMMON STAKE AT OP AT 19-1
Selections:
7/1-6-5/3
Race 9
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1. MANSA MUSA (IRE)
WON COMMON PALISADES DESPITE SLOW START IN LAST
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6. NO NAY METS (IRE)
POST SHIFT SHOULD WORK IN HIS FAVOR; GAMER
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4. REFUEL
BATTLED FAST PACE & HELD WELL IN PALISADES
Selections:
1-6-4/14
Race 10
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4. GOD OF WINE
ON THE IMPROVE; TACTICAL EDGE
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1. QUARRYMEN
CLAIM DROPS A NOTCH; WELL INTENDED
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9. GAMETIME GLADIATOR
DROPPER PUTS BLINKERS BACK ON; OFF THE PACE THREAT
Selections:
4-1-9/12-11-5
Kevin Kilroy
Kevin Kilroy is a racing and handicapping analyst covering the racing at Churchill Downs, Colonial Downs, Ellis Park, Fair Grounds and Turfway Park.
Race 1
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4. Answer the Call
Tough trip last out
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6. Balladry
Fresh after in too deep last
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3. Mitole's Legacy
Pedigree to continue ascent
Selections:
4/6,3
Race 2
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4. B Grayson
Pedigree + Value should be there
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3. Johnny Come Lately
Sire/connections
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6. Predecessor
Tapit 1ster with steady worktab
Selections:
4,3/6/1
Race 3
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3. Availability
Moved forward despite tough trip
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4. Master of the Nite
Disadvantaged by bias in last
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7. Curlins Incharge
Disadvantaged by bias in last
Selections:
3,4,7
Race 4
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2. Supercool
Has run best fresh/solid work
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3. Forge in Fire
Showed speed into hot pace in last
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5. Campton
Table could be set for clean up
Selections:
2,1,5/8
Race 5
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5. Allnight Moonlight
La-bred stakes winner
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6. Boitano
Two dangerous runners for Frank Miller
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4. Ferryboat
Could wire
Selections:
5,6,4
Race 6
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7. Carnane
Improving type fits big time
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12. Embark
Improved with tough trip in last
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4. Tonalite
Nice race at KEE to build from
Selections:
7/12,4/3,6
Race 7
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8. Mystic Pleasure
Should be fit to sustain
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7. Klimt's Muse
Will be rolling late
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5. Stunningly
Gun Runner 4yo showed heart in win
Selections:
8/7,5/1,2
Race 8
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5. Classic Causeway
Poised for a big one
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6. Masqueparade
Looks like longer is his best
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8. Master Game
Forster barn is hot
Selections:
5,6/8/1,2,3
Race 9
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14. This Is Uscar
Paired 6s on ThoroGraph
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5. Debt Paid
Formful winner on the cutback
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1. Mansa Musa (Ire)
Overcame slow start in last
Selections:
14/5,1,4,13
Race 10
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9. Gametime Gladiator
Good spot for nifty mover
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11. Tizzy Indy
Back to track/distance where he won
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12. Fan the Fire
Slop/track bias excuse last
Selections:
9,11/12,1/5
Tony Calo
Churchill Downs Racing Analyst as well as Turfway Park and Ellis Park Announcer.
Race 1
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3. Mitole's Legacy
Recent maiden winner could be live against winners.
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2. Singsational
Should come with a good run.
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5. January Jubilee
Late runner should be closing nicely.
Selections:
3/2-5/467
Race 2
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3. Johnny Come Lately
Ward has tremendous percentage with firsters.
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2. Indigo Wind
Should benefit with debut run under his belt.
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7. Complex Music
Very productive dam with progeny.
Selections:
3/2-6/7
Race 3
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3. AVAILABILITY
SPEED AND SHOULD APPRECIATE THE ADDED REAL ESTATE
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2. TIVERTON
NICE PROGRESSION FROM START ONE TO TWO
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7. CURLINS INCHARGE
HAS HAD LOTS OF CHANCES
Selections:
3/2-7/4-1
Race 4
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8. CHITWOOD
DANGEROUS SPEED IN A SOMEWHAT PACELESS RACE
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5. CAMPTON
NICE CLASS DROP FROM PRODUCTIVE BARN
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4. PERILANO
CLASS DROP BIGGEST AID
Selections:
8/4-5/2-1
Race 5
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6. BOITANO
INTRIGUING LONG SHOT LIKES A FAST TRACK
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1. COOL QUARTET
BEST RACE MAKES HIM A STRONG CONTENDER
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5. ALLNIGHT MOONLIGHT
LOUISIANNA BRED HAS SOME SNEAKY PAST CLASS
Selections:
6-1/5/2-8
Race 6
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9. PENDULUM
HOPING TODAY IS THE DAY
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11. LEO TORO
PRONISING DEBUT, SHOULD BE RUNNING THROUGH LANE
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4. TONALITE
SEEMS LIKE A SOLID FIT IN HERE
Selections:
9-11/4-3/5-6
Race 7
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1. MIGHTY MADISON
I'VE ALWAYS FELT SHE HAS A TON OF ABILITY
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2. ROSWELL
VERY TALENTED FILLY
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5. STUNNINGLY
COMEBACKER HAS ABILITY
Selections:
1-2/5/3-8
Race 8
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7. NEXT
THE CHAMP IS HERE
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5. CLASSIC CAUSEWAY
SHOULD BE MUCH TIGHER TODAY
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6. MASQUEPARADE
JUST FINISHED AHEAD OF SECOND PICK
Selections:
7/5-6/3
Race 9
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1. MANSA MUSA
LOTS AND LOTS OF PACE FOR THIS SOLID CLOSER
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4. REFUEL
PART OF THE SPEED
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6. NO NAY METS
TALENTED INDIVIDUAL WILL BE MUCH TIGHTER TODAY
Selections:
1/4-6/13-14
RACE 10
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1. QUARRYMEN
INSIDE SPEEDY SORT WITH A NICE WORKTAB FOR THIS
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11. TIZZY INDY
LOTS OF PAST CLASS
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10. SUMMER IN AIKEN
GOOD LOOKING RECENT MAIDEN WINNER
Selections:
1/ 11-10 /12-9-5-4
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