Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Churchill’s $7,281 Super High 5 carryover

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, June 19 at Churchill Downs and Assiniboia Downs, including tickets for Churchill’s $7,281 Super High 5 carryover.

Today’s special offers from TwinSpires include:

• Assiniboia Downs 15% Win Bonus: Receive a 15% bonus (up to 25% per day) on winning single-horse win bets at Assiniboia Downs every Monday through Wednesday in June.
• Horseshoe Indianapolis 15% Win Bonus: Receive a 15% bonus (up to 25% per day) on winning single-horse win bets at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
• Royal Ascot $10 Money Back: Receive refunds on win bets (up to $10) if your horse finishes second in select races at Ascot (UK) from Tuesday through Saturday.

Best Bets and Quick Picks

Churchill Downs: Race 3: Maiden Special Weight (5 1/2 furlongs on dirt, 1:43 p.m. ET)

#8 Galpin Sunday (12-1) is a son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, who sires a decent 11% winners from first-time starters. The bay colt has put together a sharp work tab for trainer Aaron West, including a near-bullet half-mile in :47 2/5.

West wins at a 21% rate with horses debuting in maiden special weights, and jockey Samuel Bermudez has gone 3-for-11 (27%) teaming up with West over the last two months, so there are a lot of positives in Galpin Sunday’s corner. At 12-1, he’s worth betting to win.

Selections

• #8 Galpin Sunday (12-1)
• #7 No Mor Stones (12-1)
• #10 Akinmusire (5-2)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #8 Galpin Sunday (12-1)

Assiniboia Downs: Race 5: Maiden Special Weight (six furlongs on dirt, 10:15 p.m. ET)

Which horse owns the two highest Brisnet Speed ratings in this field? That would be #3 Silver Blur (4-1), who posted numbers of 81 and 84 when finishing second and third in a pair of maiden special weights at Ellis Park during the summer of 2022.

Unfortunately, Silver Blur hasn’t run since, but the competition is easier at Assiniboia Downs and Silver Blur may be able to win off the layoff even if he runs slower than two years ago. His 4-1 morning line odds are enticing, so we’ll try a win bet on Silver Blur.

Selections

• #3 Silver Blur (4-1)
• #2 Ice Storm (6-5)
• #6 Icouldbetheone (6-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #3 Silver Blur (4-1)

Assiniboia Downs: Race 7: $5,000 Maiden Claiming (six furlongs on dirt, 11:05 p.m. ET)

#3 Darkcloudofsmoke (9-5) and #4 Awareness Autism (7-5) were separated by one length when finishing second and third in a 5 1/2-furlong sprint over this track and class level on June 5. Darkcloudofsmoke got the better of her rival that day, but Awareness Autism had a troubled trip and may be eligible to turn the tables.

In one order or the other, Darkcloudofsmoke and Awareness Autism have a strong chance to run 1-2 on Wednesday, so let’s box them in an exacta.

Selections

• #3 Darkcloudofsmoke (9-5)
• #4 Awareness Autism (7-5)
• #5 Press On Baby (6-1)

Wagers

• $10 Exacta: box 3,4 ($20)

Carryover Watch

Churchill Downs: Race 1: $7,281 Super High 5 carryover (12:45 p.m. ET)

The racing week at Churchill Downs kicks off on a high note with Race 1 on Wednesday, which features a $7,281 carryover in the $1 Super High 5.

Seven horses have entered the $10,000 claimer for three-year-olds and upward racing 1 1/16 miles on dirt. Let’s take a horse-by-horse look at the field:

#1 Quebrancho (3-1): Hasn’t missed the board in his last three starts against $20,000 maiden claiming competition, but you can make a case this capable three-year-old is better as a sprinter than a route racer.

#2 Right On Target (9-2): Never fired in his debut against $32,000 maiden claiming competition on turf, but may improve while switching to dirt and dropping in class. A major wildcard.

#3 Sixwillberich (2-1): Four-year-old gelding finished third (ahead of Quebrancho) in a $20,000 maiden claimer racing one mile at Churchill Downs last month. The 75 Brisnet Speed rating Sixwillberich earned stamps him as a win threat while dropping in class.

#4 Coal Boss (5-1): Has finished behind American Raider (see below) in his last two starts against $10,000 maiden claiming competition at Churchill and will need improvement to reverse those outcomes.

#5 Master of the Nite (15-1): Ran second in a $20,000 maiden claimer sprinting seven furlongs at Keeneland during the spring, but he hasn’t cracked the trifecta in six starts running one mile or farther.

#6 American Raider (7-2): Runner-up in his last two starts against $10,000 maiden claiming competition at Churchill, American Raider earned a 79 Brisnet Speed rating in his latest effort, suggesting he’s a win candidate while sticking to the same track and class level.

#7 Sky Key (15-1): Hasn’t finished better than fifth in his first five starts, including when sixth (behind American Raider and Coal Boss) in a recent $10,000 maiden claimer at Churchill.

Here’s how we’ll bet the Super High 5:

• $1 Super High 5: 3,6 with 3,6 with 1,2,4 with 1,2,4,5 with 1,2,4,5 ($36)
• $1 Super High 5: 3,6 with 1,2 with 3,6 with 1,2,4,5 with 1,2,4,5 ($24)
  Total: $60

Good luck!