Betting the Kentucky Derby Day All-Turf Pick 4

The quartet of scheduled grass races at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day is all graded stakes, and all are linked in a special 50-cent minimum Pick 4. Here's how I'll be playing the sequence:

50-cent ticket: 7,9,10 with 3,5 with 6,12 with 6,9 ($12)

Race 5: Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2), 1:12 p.m. ET

#10 Joe Shiesty (6-1) draws outside the other speed, and despite a dull run here in November, generally has a pretty good record over this course. #7 Yellow Card (9-2) endured a terrible trip before winning a photo for second in the Shakertown (G2), and could do better with better luck. #9 Litigation (3-1) was flat-out dull as the mild Shakertown favorite, but was a two-time stakes winner at Gulfstream Park over the winter and might rebound.

Race 7: Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2), 2:38 p.m. ET

#5 Classic Q (6-1) is shaping up to be the potential lone speed, and despite showing a tendency to settle for minor awards at this level, John Velazquez handled this filly well last time to miss narrowly to the classier Lush Lips.

A lot of gaps in racing for #3 Portfolio Duration (4-1), but trainer Chad Brown seems high enough on her to throw in here following an easy N1X allowance win at Tampa Bay Downs in late March.

Race 9: American Turf (G1), 4:06 p.m. ET

#6 Black Hornet (20-1), 2-for-2 on the turf prior to an ugly run last time in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) over a course trainer Brendan Walsh reported he disliked, seems a threat to rebound. His victory in the Black Gold S. produced two next-out allowance winners at Keeneland.

I'll also use #12 Remember Mamba (9-2), who arrived in time to land the slightly shorter Transylvania (G3) at Keeneland to maintain his undefeated record at three wins. Has progressed with each start and can do so again despite the wide draw.

Race 11: Turf Classic (G1), 5:39 p.m. ET

Among the least exposed runners in this field are the two early favorites. #6 Rhetorical (5-2) is untested going this far, but the Grade 1 scorer has the style to get it and exits a fine season-opening third in the Maker's Mark Mile (G1) at Keeneland.

#9 Test Score (7-2) pulled off a mild surprise in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) when last seen in January, and appears he will continue to have a good season in major stakes in the nine-to-10 furlong range.