Pick 3 of the Week: Churchill Downs Saturday, May 24, 2025

I’ll take aim at the closing trio of competitive races on the Churchill Downs Saturday card for the Pick 3 of the Week. 

Race 8 Wager

• 50-cent Pick 3: 3,6,7,8 with 2,4,5 with 1,4,5,7 ($24)

Race 8 – Allowance

A deep field of 11 fillies and mares will dash six furlongs on the main strip in the opening piece. I really liked the win posted by #3 Marmalade Skye (3-1) here on April 30 and will surely use the daughter of Danza. The Jacobson pupil has been on a nice run since being claimed by this outfit and should handle the class rise well against this crew. 

Paul McGee’s #6 Lotsandlotsofcandy (5-2) broke her maiden on the course by seven lengths in June and dominated allowance foes at Ellis Park in her seasonal finale next time out. The fleet Twirling Candy filly has trained well in advance of her return and looms large with Brian Hernandez, Jr. riding. 

#8 Adogate (10-1) was last seen finishing third behind two good ones at Ellis Park in the summer and will be a contender with even slight improvement off that showing. The Arrogate chestnut will be stalking the pace early on with Jose Ortiz taking the reins. #7 Tripolina (4-1) rallied to be a close second in the Roxelana S. on the oval in her latest showing and will be moving best of all in the stretch for Hartman. 

Race 9 – Keertana S. 

The feature will be contested at 1 1/2 miles on the green in the middle leg. #4 Strikingly Spun (7-2) has been going pretty well as of late and might thrive on the stretch out in trip for conditioner Joe Sharp. Jose Ortiz will pilot the five-year-old Hard Spun mare. 

Graham Motion’s #5 Marksman Queen (6-1) has good early foot and has performed well in the stakes ranks at marathon distances. The Dubawi mare will have Frankie Dettori in the stirrups. Brendan Walsh’s #2 Tarneema (3-1) has moved forward since having blinkers removed two back and could be the one with continued progression on Saturday. 

Race 10 – Maiden Special Weight

A deep field of 12 will go a one-turn mile on the dirt in a difficult finale. Numerous contenders make a lot of sense moving out to eight furlongs in the event, and I will spread with multiple horses to close things out. 

#4 Playa Del Mar (5-1) and #11 Steeze (6-1) are both exiting the same race at Keeneland behind a sharp winner, and each will be on my ticket. #7 Fact (3-1) was well clear in second in a good debut run in Lexington and will have Luis Saez in the irons. #5 Duke of Duval (4-1) is the lone four-year-old facing a field of sophomores and wouldn’t surprise me for Asmussen. 

Join us on June 7 for a rematch that will shake the stands. Many top Kentucky Derby contenders return for the Belmont S. 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!