Try this pair of pick 3 plays on Kentucky Oaks day

Two pick 3 sequences starting in the Kentucky Oaks card on Friday at Churchill Downs look interesting enough to play, including the Oaks-Turf Classic-Derby bet, where the final two legs happen one day later.

The two pick 3 tickets below for those two sequences are polar opposites of each other, with the pick 3 starting in the Modesty Stakes (G3) consisting of only singles. Bettors need to play it multiple times. In contrast, the Oaks – Turf Classic – Derby bet contains one spread race.

Here are two Kentucky Oaks day pick 3s.

Modesty-La Troienne-Alysheba

Pick 3: 8 / 6 / 5

Churchill Downs Race 5: Modesty Stakes (G3)

Bleecker Street carries a 5-for-5 record for trainer Chad Brown.

Two of those wins came in graded stakes races. In Bleecker Street’s last two starts, she won the Endeavour Stakes (G3) by 1 1/2 lengths and the Hillsborough Stakes (G2) by a clear 3 3/4 lengths under Hector Diaz Jr.

Despite its lower grade than the Hillsborough, Bleecker Street meets a tougher field in the Modesty. But Bleecker Street receives a rider upgrade to Flavien Prat, who seems almost invincible in turf races.

At even money or higher, Bleecker Street is a fair single.

Churchill Downs Race 6: La Troienne Stakes (G1)

Shedaresthedevil and Pauline’s Pearl met in the Azeri Stakes (G3) in March, with both fillies losing to Ce Ce by a small margin.

The disappointing part for Shedaresthedevil is that she held a comfortable lead and gave up first and second in the stretch. Pauline’s Pearl beat Shedaresthedevil for the runner-up spot fair and square.

Pauline’s Pearl also won the Houston Ladies Classic (G3) by 3 3/4 lengths to start the season with a career-high 117 TimeformUS Speed Figure.

In this race, Temper Time figures to pressure Shedaresthedevil in the early stages. Assuming Pauline’s Pearl breaks well, she can sit two or three lengths off the leaders and move in when Tempter Time folds. 

Pauline’s Pearl is the single.

Churchill Downs Race 7: Alysheba Stakes (G2)

Since switching to races past one mile, Olympiad has become a win machine, with an ongoing three-race win streak heading into this race.

During the streak, Olympiad won the Mineshaft Stakes (G3) by 2 1/4 lengths and the New Orleans Classic (G2) by two lengths over good fields at Fair Grounds. He also took a Gulfstream optional claimer by 7 1/4 lengths.

Olympiad brings important tactical speed to the Alysheba. According to TimeformUS Pace Projector, Olympiad is supposed to secure the lead through a slow pace, and this scenario would result in him winning easily. 

Given his pedigree, Olympiad is supposed to handle mud or slop too. 

Oaks-Turf Classic-Derby

Pick 3: 1,4 / 2,4,6,7,8 / 3,6,10

Churchill Downs Race 11: Kentucky Oaks

Nest and Secret Oath are both capable of dominating fields.

In Nest’s season debut, she won the Suncoast Stakes by six lengths against a weak field at Tampa Bay Downs. Then, Nest took the next step forward with a 8 1/4-length win in the Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland.

As for Secret Oath, she won the Martha Washington Stakes by 7 1/4 lengths and Honeybee Stakes (G3) by 7 1/2 lengths. After those two races, she was a good third in the Arkansas Derby (G1) against males. 

None of the other fillies entered seem as dominating in their winter and spring races. Expect either Nest or Secret Oath to pick up the win.  

Churchill Downs Race 11: Turf Classic Stakes (G1)

Unfortunately, this is a spread race.

Tribhuvan is the class of the field with a win in the United Nations Stakes (G1) and a runner-up finish in the Manhattan Stakes (G1) last year.

Shirl’s Speight deserves respect off his improved form this year. In his most recent start, he won the Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) despite a slow pace in front. He also took the Tampa Bay Stakes (G3) in February.

Adhamo gets the services of Flavien Prat after a runner-up finish in the Fair Grounds Stakes (G2). The switch to Prat alone means he is a threat.

Cavalry Charge won the Fair Grounds Stakes by a head over Adhamo at 35-1 after setting the pace. In the past, Cavalry Charge broke his maiden at Churchill Downs and has a local 3: 2-1-0 record. 

Bizzee Channel began his campaign with an allowance win at Keeneland over Mr Dumas last month. In that strong allowance race, Bizzee Channel had to endure the difficult task of chasing the run-off pacesetter Megacity early before taking over and fighting off Mr Dumas.

Churchill Downs Race 12: Kentucky Derby

In a tough handicapping race, Messier gets the slight nod.

Messier won the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita by an astonishing 15 lengths after setting the pace under pressure. In his more recent prep race, Messier lost the Santa Anita Derby (G1) to his stablemate Taiba, but he also had the harder task in chasing Forbidden Kingdom. In contrast, Taiba sat behind both horses through the half. 

If Messier secures the lead, he could get brave.

Epicenter has done nothing wrong on the trail, with wins in the Gun Runner Stakes, Risen Star Stakes (G2) and Louisiana Derby (G2). He also ran second in the Lecomte Stakes (G3) after running a fast pace.

If Epicenter can work out a trip from Post 3, he can win. His biggest weapon is being able to either set the pace, press or stalk the lead.

Zandon was a troubled third in the Risen Star behind the impressive winner Epicenter. Smile Happy beat him for second in that race, but Zandon then won the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) in April while pulling clear.

If any jockey can give this closer a good trip, it is Flavien Prat.  

With that said, Zandon is expendable for those want to play the Oaks-Turf Classic-Derby pick 3 ticket while cutting down on costs. Given their early speed, Messier and Epicenter remain the top preferences.