Final Version: McLean’s Selections for Churchill Downs on Wednesday, June 8

Big day at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Tuesday, to kick start another week of handicapping antics and Belmont Stakes Week. We hit the first 6 races in a row and had 7 winners out of the 9-race card up in Shelbyville, IN.

We also added up 7 exactas on the day and we hit the final Pick 4, since we missed betting the Pick 6 due to a late arrival time after a lunch appointment.

We are hoping to extend our handicapping luck to the “big oval” in Lou-town on the first Wednesday of live racing since KY Derby week.

Here’s our picks:

1st: 1-2-3/4/6/5-7…Undalay (1) gets the nod in the ole’ lid-lifter at the “big oval” on Wednesday. This is a 5-furlong event for the 2YO “boys,” and I give the leg up to the rail bird. Ran a huge 2nd here last time out on May 12. Nearly won that one. Gets a new rider here and moves to the meet’s top jockey. Should help this one’s efforts. Look out. I bet the 1 across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under the 4-6 in two smaller units.

2nd: 5-4/2-1/6/7-3…Horse Greedy (5) is the ML favorite, and should be the fan’s choice at post time. This one comes from the same barn operation as our top pick in the first, and it could have a natural “Daily Double,” with the same rider up, too. Jockey has gone 9-2-8 in the last 33 ups and has won with .18% in the last 11 mount jobs for this trainer, too. This one nipped by a neck at the wire in the last start. Should be a tough out here at the same level. I bet the 5 across the board and then box the 5-4 in the exactas. I will key the 5-4 over/under the 2-1-6 in two smaller units. 

3rd: 2-5/1-3/6/4…Risata (2) ran well to be 2nd in the slop last time out. Barn wins with .22% in the claiming ranks and the son-in-law gets the mount again. In two starts here, before, this one as a 2nd. Should filter perfectly here. Beverly’s Charge (5) picks up a new rider and this one could be a tough out, too. Has a win here in three previous runs and this trainer wins with .24% in the claiming ranks. I bet the 2 across the board and then box the 2-5 in the exactas. I will key the 2-5 over/under the 1-3-6 in two smaller units.

4th: 5-6-1/1A-7-8/3-2-4…Shackled by Lust (5) could be another winner’s circle photo shoot for rider Tyler Gaffalione in this spot. The top Kentucky-based rider has upped his winning percentage to .20% for the meet now and he has a mark of 31-18-27 in the first 154 mounts of the meet. Has won with a .24% rate for a hot barn operator. Dam of this 2YO filly has a winner from two starters. Shoplifter (6) is a first timer for a barn that wins with .11% on debut. Sharp work on June 3. Chance. Cotton Candy Annie (1) is another making the debut here. Has worked exceedingly well for the debut and will break from the NO. 2 post, which is a good thing. Dam has a winner from three starters. I bet the 5 across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under the 7-8 in two smaller units. 

5th: 3-4-5/1/6/2…Gagetown (3) is a 4YO son of Exaggerator, and will make the 2022 debut here. Finished the 2021 campaign with 6 Stakes performances in a row. This is a significant drop in class and the works are there to indicate that he is good enough to win this one with class. Top rider up. I bet the 3 across the board and then box the top 3 in the exactas. I will key the 3 over/under the 4-5-1-6-2 in two smaller units. 

6th: 12-11/2-6-7-9/5/3/1-4…Hometown Hero (12) is another top candidate and another who will get the services of top rider Tyler Gaffalione. Could he set a record for most wins in a single card? Could have a chance here today. This 4YO son of Into Mischief has run two solid races in a row and moves up after a claim last time out. Trainer wins with .25% in the first try after a claim purchase. I bet the 12 across the board and then box the 12-11 in the exactas. I will key the 12 over/under the 11-2-6-7-9-5 in two smaller units.

7th: 4-1-2/10/5-8/3-9/6-7…Afjan (4) gets the nod here. This 3YO son of Uncle Mo will make first start for new trainer and the barn wins with .13% with the newcomers. Ran better-than-looks 3rd last time out. Look for big improvement here. I bet the 4 across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the 4 over/under the 1-2-10-5-8 in two smaller units.

8th: 8/4/2-5-7/1/3-6…The first “Key Play of the Day” comes here with Dreamful (8). Guess who rides? Yep. That “guy.” This one has hit the board in 8 of 12 career starts and each of the last 6 outings. New rider could be the difference maker. May improve with the shorter distance, too. All in, for me. I bet the 8 across the board and then key the 8 over/under the 4-2-5-7-1 in the exactas. More with the 4 than the rest. 

9th: 4-6/7-5-9-12/1-3-11/8-10/2…Mobster Gun (4) gets the top billing in the finale on Wednesday. This 4YO son of Liaison won the last time out against much tougher and has run two really good ones in a row. Gets the services of the same guy who has never been worse than 2nd on his back. At this distance, the colt has 2 wins and 2 seconds. Wow. I go here. I bet the 4 across the board and then box the 4-6 in the exactas. I will key the 4 over/under the 6-7-5-9-12-1 in two smaller units. 

Good Luck & All the Best / Gene