Longshot of the Day: Race 5 at Churchill Downs
Track: Churchill Downs
Race 5: $40K maiden claimer going 7 ½ furlongs on dirt for 3+
Post Time: 2:45 PM ET
Horse: #7 Pace Yourself (6/1 morning line) use as a win bet at 5/1 or higher.
We have sloppy conditions at Churchill Downs ahead of their Stephen Foster Preview Day tomorrow, which is a jam-packed card. Today, I am focused on a maiden claiming race and a horse that could represent early speed, which is always dangerous given track conditions and the level of race. Pace Yourself started his career on the turf at Churchill Downs and then Colonial Downs facing maiden special weight competition where he failed to make an impact. The son of Mendelssohn did not show much desire to pass other horses and went to the bench in August 2024 for nine months until he returned in May of this year racing against maiden claimers on the dirt at Churchill Downs. For the first time in his career, he showed good early speed and lead through solid, if not blistering, fractions, but faded to fourth late. Now he is second back from the layoff and should have better conditioning for trainer Michael Tomlinson who is winning at a 36% clip during this Churchill Downs meet. It is promising to see the horse showed improved speed last time out and if he can do that again under the ride of Jamie Torres, then I think you can expect a better showing late. Additionally, the track conditions should suit him as Mendelssohn is a solid wet dirt influence and a horse with good early speed will not have to deal with getting mud thrown back into his face. He draws well toward the outside of the field and feels like a horse that could make a big improvement. Another horse that could impress in this race is #2 Did It Dialed (8/1) from trainer Brian Lynch who is also having a good Churchill Downs meet winning at a 24% rate. While a horse debuting against maiden claiming company is not often a great sign, this is a homebred who went to a sire with a $15,000 stud fee and is now in for a $40,000 tag, so it is not a suspicious spot for the horse in debut. Lynch has worked this horse well in recent weeks, including a bullet work in the beginning of May. I like the horse worked over an off track last time out and seemed to handle it well. These are two to consider on your tickets today at Churchill Downs.