Churchill Downs Picks – Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Today’s races at Churchill Downs feature some of the biggest purses in the country for regular maiden, allowance, and claiming races. In particular, two of the three races I review today have purses in excess of $80,000, and of course, the talent those purses have attracted is quite formidable.

Remember that while Churchill Downs does not currently permit spectators, you can check out their full race card at one of our recommended racebooks.

Read on for my Churchill Downs picks and betting tips for Wednesday’s richest races.

This is a claiming race for three-year-olds and upward running a distance of 6-1/2 furlongs for a purse of $39,500.

My money is on the 8/5 morning line favorite in this race—Shashashakemeup, with Corey Lanerie in the irons. This three-year-old colt finished in the money three of his ten career starts, winning two of them.

The longest odds in this six-horse field are 10/1, and I don’t see that happening, so we’ll save our long money for later.

This is a maiden special weight race for two-year-olds running a distance of 1-1/16 miles on turf for a purse of $85,000.

If the also-eligible Santa Cruiser (M/L 5/2), with James Graham aboard, starts this race, bet him to win. This ridgling moneyed both of his career starts, which puts him in the lead in this field.

Otherwise, buy a win ticket on the 3/1 Lake Mamba, ridden by Ricardo Santana, Jr. This colt moneyed his single career start and had good times in his recent workouts.

There are plenty of long-odds entries in this race, but none look to be capable of finishing in the money.

This is an allowance race for fillies and mares three years old and upward running a distance of 1-3/8 miles on turf for a purse of $87,000.

I like the 7/2 underdog Coilean Bawn, with Florent Geroux aboard, for this race. This four-year-old filly moneyed six of her 11 career starts, winning one and putting herself in the statistical lead among the competitors.

For a value show wager, you should consider the 20/1 longshot, Brunella, with Adam Beschizza in the irons. This three-year-old filly finished in the money three of her four career starts, winning one.

I found more underdog and longshot action at the other two tracks I reviewed for Wednesday: