The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for May 24, 2025

The TwinSpires Jury of James Scully, Ashley Anderson, and Darin Zoccali discuss their best bets and fades at Churchill Downs and Belmont at Aqueduct over Memorial Day Weekend.

Churchill Downs will host a handful of stakes over the holiday weekend, starting with the 1 1/2-mile Keertana S., a 1 1/2-mile turf test for older fillies and mares. Four-year-old Kitten's Joy filly #2 Tarneema (3-1) is the morning-line favorite for trainer Brendan Walsh. The Shadwell Stable color bearer finished third as the favorite to today's race rival, Sugaree, in a 1 1/2-mile allowance on Keeneland's turf last out. She will pick up rider Ben Curtis and look to return to the winner's circle for the first time since breaking her maiden at Fair Grounds seven starts back.

On Memorial Day, Churchill will offer a special nine-race program, highlighted by the 22nd running of the Winning Colors (G3). The six-furlong dirt sprint drew a contentious field of nine older fillies and mares, including last fall's Chilukki (G3) hero Two Sharp, recent Roxelana S. victress Mink's Palace, Derby City Distaff (G1) runner-up Hope Road, and multiple graded stakes winner Brightwork.

More racing action will take place at Belmont at the Big A Friday through Sunday. It's also Hollywood Gold Cup weekend at Santa Anita, with five non-graded stakes on Saturday, the Santa Margarita (G2) on Sunday, and a trio of graded stakes on Memorial Day — the Gamely (G1), Hollywood Gold Cup (G2), and Shoemaker Mile (G1). 

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!