BetAmerica’s horse racing pick of the day: June 19, Churchill Downs

Weekday picks and plays for Thoroughbred racing.

Friday, June 19

Churchill Downs, Race 3: Maiden special weight (5 furlongs, 2:06 p.m. ET)

Trainer Steve Asmussen has been on fire with 2-year-old first-time starters at Churchill Downs this spring. He has gone 4-for-6 (67%) as of June 16, with a runner-up effort for good measure. All four winners were ridden by Ricardo Santana, which stamps #2 Jackie’s Warrior (5-2 on the morning line) the horse to beat in this 5-furlong maiden dash.

A son of the speedy Maclean’s Music, who sires 16% debut winners, Jackie’s Warrior is a half-brother to juvenile winner King Theo, so from a pedigree perspective, he is bred to win from an early age.

He has also flashed speed in the mornings at Keeneland, where he blazed a half-mile from the starting gate in a bullet :47 1/5 June 9, so Jackie’s Warrior is a clear threat to win with Santana in the saddle.

We’ll bet Jackie’s Warrior to win, key him on top of a trifecta, and emphasize stablemate #7 Frosted Prayer (4-1) and the well-bred #8 Cousteau (2-1) underneath.

$14 to win on #2 Jackie’s Warrior
$1 trifecta: 2 with 7,8 with 3,4,7,8,9 ($8)
$1 trifecta: 2 with 3,4,7,8,9 with 7,8 ($8)
Total: $30

Good luck!