Wednesday wagers: Windy Walk can win again at Churchill
A nine-race all-dirt card awaits horseplayers at Churchill Downs on Wednesday, and I have selections for five of these heats below.
Best bet: Windy Walk, race 6
Best value bet: Ember, race 9
Race 2
No. 4 Notah (3-1) lures Luis Saez on a significant class drop while adding blinkers. He's a major threat to go gate to wire if he can rediscover his form from the summer. No. 1 Went West (3-1) aced a similar field here when last seen – consider. No. 2 President Z (5-1) finished behind Went West off a lengthy layoff last time out – can improve under Florent Geroux.
How I’d bet it, based on a $100 budget: $15 exacta 4/1, $6 exacta 4/2, $4 exacta 1/4
Race 3
No. 1 Coalmoon (2-1, morning-line favorite) will be awfully tough if able to replicate his dirt debut last time out. No. 6 Baby Max (12-1) had a difficult trip from off the pace at first asking – might appreciate the added ground. No. 3 South Bend Tom (3-1) split the field in his unveiling and gets Tyler Gaffalione up for Al Stall.
How I’d bet it: $15 exacta 1/6
Race 6
No. 2 Windy Walk (2-1, morning-line favorite) has won four of six, and one of those losses came in a stakes race at Saratoga. This is a slight step up, but the speed figures suggest this one belongs. No. 6 Low Country Magic (4-1) outfinished several of his rivals here in a similar race at Keeneland – should take them a long way up front. No. 5 Crazy Cami (6-1) was three lengths behind in that Keeneland heat but is the best of the rest.
How I’d bet it: $20 exacta 2/6
Race 7
No. 7 Briterdayzahead (5-2, morning-line favorite) has won three of four and goes first off the claim by Steve Asmussen. Note the weight break with Erik Asmussen getting a leg up. No. 1 Summer Splash (7-2) figures to be the target the top choice chases early on. He was an easy winner at Ellis in his lone start of 2024. No. 2 Top Gun Tommy (4-1) was a winner at this level earlier in the year at Santa Anita and attracts Samuel Camacho for David Jacobson.
How I’d bet it: $10 exacta 7/1,2
Race 9
No. 6 Ember (7-2) carried his Canterbury form to Keeneland successfully, nearly beating a similar field to the one he’ll meet here. Saez sees fit to climb aboard after the Eddie Kenneally claim. No. 10 Category Ten (8-1) boasts solid speed figures shipping in the from the Midwest – don’t dismiss, even from this post. No. 4 Business Model (5-2, morning-line favorite) was a respectable fourth here earlier this month despite having little pace to chase.
How I’d bet it: $10 exacta 6/4,10
Robert Criscola is a free-lance handicapper based in New York.