Claiming Crown Pick 3 Play

The Claiming Crown will be hosted by Churchill Downs on Saturday with eight six-figure races on the slate. I have scoured the card and found a good sequence for a Pick 3 play that could be well worth the investment.

Race 8: Ready’s Rocket Express S.

The six-furlong dash is an especially competitive one, with various legitimate contenders in the field. My top pick is the ultra-durable #7 Beverly Park (7-2) for conditioner Norman Cash. The bay son of Munnings will be making his 26th start of 2022 and continues to carry good form.

Delaware shipper #6 Nimble Beast (20-1), #8 Hero Tiger (12-1), and #10 Powerfully Built (4-1), also make the ticket in the opening leg.

Race 9: Rapid Transit S.

This seven-furlong dirt contest features a full field of 12 and I will spread in the middle leg of the tough heat. I could make a case for #1 Ragtime Blues (4-1), #2 Divine Leader (8-1), #5 No Burn (3-1), #9 Lt. Junior Grade (6-1), and #11 Soaring Bird (20-1), so I will include each of the aforementioned quintet.

Race 10: Jewel S.

The 1 1/8-mile event for the boys will have 10 going postward in the penultimate race of the day. #1 Benevengo (7-2) is four-for-four in non-stakes races to date and will bring speed from the rail. The sophomore son of Gormley earned a hefty 99 Brisnet Speed figure in his latest appearance, and will have Luis Saez in the silks.

Mike Maker’s #4 Keystone Field (10-1) looked the part in crushing expensive claiming foes at Keeneland last time out, and the son of Candy Ride will be a major player on Saturday with a repeat of that showing.

#5 Intrepid Heart (5-2) just missed in the Fort Larned S. on the oval two back and is an obvious inclusion beneath Tyler Gaffalione.

#8 Decision Maker (8-1) has a robust turn of foot and lands in a field with a lot of pace. The Court Vision gelding has run well in three consecutive races on the strip and will be rolling home late under the guidance of Florent Geroux.

• Race 8 50-cent Pick 3: 6, 7, 8, 10 with 1, 2, 5, 9, 11 with 1, 4, 5, 8 ($40)

Good Luck!