Pick 4 of the Week: Churchill Downs Saturday, May 31, 2025

Four Grade 3 tilts comprise the Pick 4 of the Week during Stephen Foster Preview Day at Churchill Downs on Saturday. 

Race 8 Wager

• 50-cent Pick 4: 1,7,9 with 2,4,9 with 3,7,8,9 with 5,6,7 ($54)

Race 8 – Shawnee S. (G3) 

Fillies and mares will travel 1 1/16 miles on the dirt in a very challenging opening leg. #1 Where’s My Ring (5-2) lands in a nice spot with a great draw on the rail for her initial run for conditioner Peter Miller. The Twirling Candy four-year-old bypassed a much more difficult spot last weekend in favor of this one, and the move might pay off. 

I’m not sure where the Doubledogdare S. (G3) romp came from by #7 Gin Gin (7-2), but I have to use her after she crushed a very good field in her seasonal debut and first for Brendan Walsh. Jose Ortiz will guide the Calumet homebred. #9 Free Like A Girl (4-1) has been knocking heads with some of the top horses in her division as of late, and she figures to appreciate the measure of class relief in this affair. 

Race 9 – Arlington S. (G3)

An excellent field of nine males will vie in the 1 1/8-mile test on the lawn in the second piece of this sequence. I could use many of these to advance, but will include just a trio of contenders in the heat. #2 Cameo Performance (6-1) is a talented runner who could peak while making his third run off the shelf for Walsh.

The Helen Pitts-trained #4 Herchee (6-1) flashed a lot of ability at three, and the Twirling Candy gelding kicked off his four-year-old campaign with a superb allowance romp at Keeneland last time out. #9 Brilliant Berti (7-2), who is six-for-nine in his lifetime, is a must-use as the potential one to beat from the outside post slot. 

Race 10 – Blame S. (G3)

The string of super competitive races continues in this nine-furlong contest for the boys on the dirt. Todd Pletcher’s #3 Antiquarian (15-1) could be on the cusp of being a major player in the handicap division in 2025, and his morning-line price is more than generous. The Peter Pan S. (G3) winner was very sharp in an allowance tally at Gulfstream in his 2025 debut and rates a big chance while getting more ground to work with under John Velazquez. 

#7 Most Wanted (7-2) has been a model of consistency for conditioner Brad Cox and was an excellent second to Fierceness in the Alysheba S. (G2) in his latest performance. He was second in the Clark (G2) here in November and obviously likes running beneath the Twin Spires. #8 Banishing (9-2) is in razor-sharp form and was last seen rallying for a huge second in the especially deep Churchill Downs S. (G1) most recently. The multiple Grade-1 placed #9 Post Time (3-1) will benefit most from a contested early pace, which is quite likely to unfold. Regular rider Sheldon Russel comes in for the voyage. 

Race 11 – Regret S. (G3)

Sophomore fillies will jaunt 1 1/8 miles on the green to close out the card. Walsh’s #7 Lush Lips (3-1) showed a new dimension when rallying from well off the pace to be second in the Edgewood S. (G2) on the course last time out behind the fantastic Nitrogen, and she is my top selection. I feel that she has improved since having blinkers removed two back. 

I’ll also include #6 Totally Justified (10-1), one of two in the field for Rusty Arnold. The Justify filly was a smart juvenile, and I will not hold her fifth-place finish while making her sophomore debut at Keeneland against her. Luis Saez riding adds to her appeal. #5 Classic Q (5-2) has good tactical foot in a field lacking an abundance of pace. The Mark Casse pupil will be in the thick of it at the top of the lane. 

Join us on June 7 for a rematch that will shake the stands. Many top Kentucky Derby contenders return for the Belmont S. (G1) to fight for the finish, including probable contender Journalism, winner of Preakness 150, and Sovereignty, winner of Derby 151. Who will stand in the winner's circle for Belmont?

Stay with us throughout Belmont Day during stakes races as we bring you the latest horse racing news, live odds, expert picks, and more. It is sure to be an exciting day of racing!