Churchill Downs

Race #6 – G2 Wise Dan Stakes – 1 1/16 turf – 8:30 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections – #4 – World Approval / #5- Mr Misunderstood / #1 – Divisidero

#4 World Approval looks to be ready to uncork a big effort. He’s been off for three months and is 2/2 ITM over the CD course. John Velasquez in the irons for Mark Casse who is winning at 20%. He was a beaten favorite last out, and the barn comes back to score 25% on this move. The distance fits going 5 out of 6 ITM and he fires fresh off the layoff. #5 Mr. Misunderstood has been off for two months and ships in from Keeneland. This son of Archarcharch loves the track winning his only two starts and makes a drop in class from the G1 Makers Mile. #1 Divisidero has the services of Jevian Toledo and this son of Kitten’s Joy is making his 2nd start of the year. He’s a stone cold closer and a perfect 3/3 at Churchill.

Race #7 – G2 Fleur de Lis – 1 1/8 – 9:05 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections – #2 – Mopotism / #3 -Blue Prize / #5 – Song of Spring

#2 – Mopotism is making her second off the layoff run and moves from the turf to the dirt. The Doug O’Neill barn scores at a 19% win clip with his shippers as they travel in from Santa Anita. The change in surface and drop in class may do the trick. #3  Blue Prize can show good speed when asked. Jose Ortiz is in town, and is one of the best speed riders in the country winning 19% with early runners. #5 Song of Spring comes in fresh off a win at Pimlico in the DuPont Distaff. She’s a solid closer with Ricardo Santana in the saddle. I can see her sitting off the pace and making a bid around the far turn.  If there is any rain in the area she’ll be even better.

Race #8 – The G1 Stephen Foster – 1 1/8 – 9:39 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections – #6 – Backyard Haven / #2 – Patch / #1 – Honorable Duty

#6 Backyard Haven looks to be moving up the ladder in fine fashion. Lightly raced son of Tizway and the Chad Brown barn is 1/1 at Churchill. Irad Ortiz has the call and the barn wins at a 27% mark off a last race win. He has the look of a stalker but with the fast finishing Ortiz in the saddle he is excellent at getting his mounts to relax and wait. Look for an explosive effort under the Churchill lights. #2 Patch is making his 2nd start of the year. He came off a 9 month layoff and came rolling late in the lane. Luis Saez aboard for Todd Pletcher and this son of Union Rags may be maturing nicely. #1 Honorable Duty is making his 2nd effort of the year and came right back to score in an O.C. $100,000 to win easily. That was a great prep and looks to turn the table finishing 2nd in this race last year to Gun Runner. He’s not running in this field, and anything close to last year has him right there when the real running begins. Corey Lanerie has the call for Brendan Walsh.