Churchill Downs Picks – Friday, September 25, 2020

The ten-race card at Churchill Downs for Friday comprises a variety of maiden, allowance, and claiming matches, and I found a few interesting investment opportunities to add to my portfolio of—ah, who am I kidding? I found some good underdogs and long-odds surprises for us to wager on.

And while I cover today’s three richest races at Belmont Park, remember that you can always find the full list of matches, including entries, jockeys, and wagering options, at one of the top horse racing betting sites.

Read on for my predictions and tips for Friday’s three richest races at Churchill Downs.

This is an allowance optional claiming race for fillies and mares three years old and upward running a distance of one mile on turf for a purse of $79,000.

I’m sticking with the 5/2 morning line choice here—Cash Out, ridden by top jockey Rafael Bejarano. This five-year-old mare finished in the money for 13 of her 21 career starts, winning two.

At 12/1, I like the Peruvian import, Koura, with Brian J. Hernandez, Jr. aboard, for a modest show bet. This four-year-old filly won her first three races at the Hipodromo De Monterrico in Lima, Peru, and though her performance hasn’t been as sterling for her two starts here in the States, she obviously knows how the lawn gets mowed.

This is an allowance race for three-year-olds and upward running a distance of six furlongs for a purse of $77,000.

I like the 5/2 favorite in this race, as well: Kadri, with Gabriel Saez in the irons. This three-year-old gelding broke his maiden earlier this month at Churchill Downs, and he moneyed in his other career start at Indiana Grand in August.

The longest odds in this race are 12/1, and I don’t see a money finish there. Let’s save our long money for later.

This is an allowance optional claiming race for fillies and mares three-years-old and upward running a distance of 1-1/16 miles on turf for a purse of $81,000.

I’m going with the second-favored (3/1) entry in this race—Amazima, ridden by Ricardo Santana, Jr. This four-year-old filly moneyed seven of her 12 career starts, winning three of them.

At 12/1, a show bet is a slight bargain on Charette, with Joseph Talamo aboard. This four-year-old filly moneyed five of her ten career starts, winning three.

Churchill Downs isn’t the only place I found wagering opportunities. I’m running a special on Triple Crown tracks this week: