BetAmerica’s horse racing pick of the day: June 12, Churchill Downs

Weekday picks and plays for Thoroughbred racing.

Friday, June 12

Churchill Downs, Race 2: Maiden special weight (5 1/2 furlongs, 1:34 p.m. ET)

#9 Hulen (2-1 on the morning line) looks ready to roll on debut for Steve Asmussen, who has saddled more juvenile first-time starters to victory at Churchill than any other trainer in recent years.

A son of three-time Churchill Downs graded stakes winner Tapiture, who sires 18% debut winners, Hulen has been training sharply in preparation for his first start, with half-miles from the Keeneland starting gate in :46 2/5 and :47 1/5 last month.

Outside posts are beneficial in dirt sprints at Churchill, so Hulen figures to work out a perfect trip under Asmussen’s go-to jockey Ricardo Santana.

We’ll place all our eggs in one basket and key Hulen on top of all our tickets, while favoring #3 Our Commish (12-1), #4 Looting (7-2), and #7 Baytown Bear (20-1) underneath.

$20 to win on #9 Hulen
$3 exacta: 9 with 3,4,7 ($9)
$1 trifecta: 9 with 3,4,7 with 3,4,7 ($6)
Total: $35

Good luck!

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The Kentucky Derby returns to Churchill Downs on Saturday, Sept. 5.