Pick 3 of the Week: Churchill Downs Saturday, May 23

A three-race sequence with some of my favorite types of contests – maiden and starter allowance – will comprise the Pick 3 of the Week at Churchill Downs on Saturday. 

Race 6 Wagers

• $2 Pick 3: 1,3 with 6 with 1,3,4,6,10 ($20)
• $1 Pick 3: 1,3 with 6,11 with 1,3,4,6,10 ($20)

Race 6 – Maiden Special Weight

The one-mile test for the boys on the dirt will kick off the play, and two horses look best to me. While I’m often skeptical about using three-year-old runners when they face their elders at this stage of the season, two of the sophomores might be a cut above the rest in the tilt. #1 Market Runner (7-5) earned a hefty 99 Brisnet Speed rating when a clear second at Keeneland last time and will be impossible to beat with a repeat of that showing. Jose Ortiz will ride the Gun Runner gelding. 

Rusty Arnold’s #3 National Charter (4-1) was well backed and showed a lot of speed at first asking at Keeneland and will improve with one under his belt. The Constitution colt could be the one to catch turning for home with Luis Saez in the silks once again. 

Race 7 – Maiden Claiming

Sophomores will dash six panels on the main strip in the middle leg of the play. #6 Exodus (2-1) showed good speed from the fence on debut at Indiana before being put away in the lane when finishing third, and the Brad Cox trainee takes a huge class drop in this spot. The Not This Time colt ran into a well-bred winner who might be a nice prospect in that heat and will appreciate the class relief with Irad taking the reins. 

#11 Props (12-1) will make his second off the claim for Asmussen and is the most likely winner if the pace collapses and the top pick fails to improve. The Street Sense gelding was clear in third at Keeneland last time and will be along late with Keith Asmussen in the silks. 

Race 8 – Starter Allowance

A big field of 11 will go postward in the 6 1/2-furlong dash on the dirt to close out the sequence. #2 Pinfire (7-2) didn’t show a lot on the green in his 2025 finale, but the bay had very good dirt form prior to that tilt and is a two-time winner on the course, as well. The Tomlinson trainee can fire off the shelf and is a must-use in my opinion, with Axel Concepcion retaining the ride. 

Three-time local hero #3 Otto the Conqueror (5-1), Joe Sharp’s #4 Star’s Image (6-1), #6 Five o’ Somewhere (12-1), and the razor-sharp #10 Get Her Number (5-2) will also make the ticket in the ultra-competitive dash.