Thursday's Best Bet: Miles Ahead paves the way in St. Matthews
Thursday’s ninth race at Churchill Downs is the $175,000 St. Matthews Stakes for 4-year-olds and up dashing six furlongs on the main track. The scheduled post time is 5:11 p.m. EDT.
Click here for Churchill Downs entries and results.
No. 2 Miles Ahead (5-2) stalked the pace, dropped back and re-rallied for the place in the Whitmore Stakes at Oaklawn last time. She owns competitive speed ratings and could easily take this.
No. 7 Bango (2-1) does some of his best work at this course and distance. He runs well fresh and Tyler Gaffalione rides him well. He figures to chase the pace from an outer post.
No. 1 Bagboss (6-1) might try to set the pace from the inside post. He likes this oval and reconnects with his winning rider Irad Ortiz Jr. This is his first start since July 2022.
No. 6 Surveillance (4-1) was sharp last fall and winter at Fair Grounds. He tailed off in his last pair but might show a bit more in his second start after a short layoff. He is 0-for-8 with four minor awards at Churchill.
Get Jarrod’s Kentucky Derby day analysis.
Wagers
No. 2 to win
Exacta box 2-7
Trifecta 1-2-7/1-2-7/6
Recent Best Bet winners
Last Tuesday – Les Bon Temps ($6.80)
Last Thursday – Chipofftheoldblock ($5.40), exacta ($15.20)
Tuesday – Prove Worthy ($9.90)
Wednesday - Warrant ($8.62)