BetAmerica’s horse racing pick of the day: Sept. 23, Churchill Downs

Weekday picks and plays for Thoroughbred racing.

Wednesday, Sept. 23

Churchill Downs, Race 6: Maiden special weight (7 furlongs, 3:16 p.m. ET)

#5 Wild Combo (2-1 on the morning line) is a logical favorite for trainer Steve Asmussen.

The 2-year-old daughter of Into Mischief sold for $360,000 and has been training forwardly for her debut. She most recently clocked 5 furlongs from the Churchill starting gate in 1:00 3/5 Sept. 15.

Into Mischief sires 16% debut winners, and Asmussen is striking at a 25% rate with 2-year-olds this year.

But #6 Mariah’s Princess (3-1) also warrants respect.

A beautifully-bred daughter of Ghostzapper, out of a Street Sense mare, Mariah’s Princess has been training strongly at Churchill Downs, where she has posted a bevy of fast workouts since the middle of July. She blazed a bullet 5 furlongs Sept. 17 (1:00), and trainer Philip Bauer has been hot at Churchill, with a 3-for-9 record to start the meet.

Wild Combo and Mariah’s Princess appear to rank a cut above their rivals, so let’s box them in the exacta.

$10 exacta box: 5,6 ($20)

Good luck!