Churchill Downs: Horse racing pick of the day for Nov. 25

Weekday picks and plays for Thoroughbred racing.

Wednesday, Nov. 25

Churchill Downs, Race 8: Allowance/optional claiming (1 mile, 4:36 p.m. ET)

#1 Dennis’ Moment (5-2 on the morning line) dominated the 2019 Iroquois (G3) as a 2-year-old at Churchill Downs, but last-place efforts in the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and the Feb. 29 Fountain of Youth (G2) preceded an extended time on the sideline. Although a talented colt on his best day, Dennis’ Moment seems tough to trust at a short price in his return from a nine-month layoff.

Instead, I’ll take a shot with #4 Violent City (12-1). The son of Violence has compiled a 2-for-3 record sprinting and recently returned from an eight-month break to win a 6-furlong allowance at Churchill Downs. Violent City’s margin of victory was just 1 1/4 lengths, but his performance was very professional, as he waited in traffic around the turn and sliced between runners to win comfortably.

A one-turn mile should be within reach for Violent City, so if he stakes a step forward in his second start off the layoff, he can vie for victory at a solid price.

Let’s bet Violent City to win and box him in the exacta, with Dennis’ Moment, #2 Mailman Money (5-1), and #3 Mo Mosa (6-1).

$12 to win on #4 Violent City
$2 exacta: 4 with 1,2,3 ($6)
$4 exacta: 1,2,3 with 4 ($12)
Total: $30

Good luck!