Churchill Downs Pick of the Week for May 18

Saturday's sixth race at Churchill Downs is an entry-level allowance for three-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on the turf, and the improving #1 DIVA DAY (8-1) looks like one who can take a step forward at a price. Rallying to win her debut after a troubled start over the Polytrack at Turfway Park in February, she next ran a fine fourth in the $100,000 Bourbonette Oaks over the same track against a much more experienced grip. By grass champ English Channel, Diva Day next reappeared in an allowance at Keeneland. Stuck behind a slow pace and then shuffled back to last around the far turn when encountering traffic, Diva Day narrowed the gap some in the stretch to finish fifth, less than two lengths behind the winning Desert Ride. Diva Day has another inside draw Saturday, but hopefully can avoid being covered up for very long, either by showing more early foot or taking back and producing one late bid. The pace could be stronger, too, on what is expected to sun-baked ground.   (c) Coady Photography/Churchill Downs