The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for May 31, 2025

The TwinSpires Jury of James Scully, Ashley Anderson, and Darin Zoccali debate their best bets and fades at Churchill Downs for Stephen Foster Preview Day.

Saturday's 11-race card will include six stakes, five of which are Grade 3s, highlighted by the 1 1/8-mile Blame (G3), the local prep for the $1 million Stephen Foster (G1).

Late closer #9 Post Time is the 3-1 morning-line favorite for trainer Brittany Russell among a 10-horse field loaded with speed. The Frosted five-year-old is coming off a 13-length victory in a 1 1/16-mile allowance optional claimer at Laurel and will move back up in class in his second start of the season.

Gary and Mary West's Most Wanted (7-2) will likely set the early pace and will look to shake a case of seconditis, with three straight second-place finishes in graded stakes, two at Churchill Downs.

Most recently, Most Wanted came home second to Fierceness in the Alysheba (G2), with Blame rival Hall of Fame another 2 3/4 lengths back in third.

Others in the Blame include 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan, who is 0-for-5 since wearing the garland of roses, recent Razorback (G3) hero Alexander Helios, and Centennial Farms' Antiquarian, who will stretch back out in distance after winning a seven-furlong allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream Park to kick off his four-year-old campaign.

One race earlier, Brilliant Berti will attempt to remain perfect on Churchill Downs' turf in the 1 1/16-mile Arlington. The Noble Mission colt is coming off a win in the one-mile Opening Verse on May 1 and will challenge Gun Runner gelding Mercante, who just missed to Spirit of St Louis in the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (G1) on Kentucky Derby Day.

Rounding out the stakes action is the six-furlong Aristides (G3) in Race 6, the start of an all-stakes Derby City 6. The 1 1/8 mile Audubon S. on the turf is set for Race 7, followed by the 1 1/16-mile Shawnee (G3), and the 1 1/8-mile Regret (G3) will close out the 11-race card.

Churchill will also host the 1 1/16-mile Old Forester Mint Julep (G3) for older fillies and mares. Eleven horses are entered, with recent Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) runner-up Pin Up Betty looking to bounce back off a neck loss at Churchill on May 3.

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!