Churchill Downs lights up Thursday evening with a strong 8-race card. From tough maiden claimers to allowance battles and full maiden special weight fields, expect big performances and betting drama under the lights!

🎯 Race Selections

Race 1 – Maiden Claiming $75,000 (8 Furlongs, Turf, Fillies & Mares)

• 7 – Les Is Best (3/1) 
  Jockey: T. Gaffalione – Trainer: E. N. Foster
• 4 – McKinzie’s Glory (7/2) 
  Jockey: B. J. Hernandez, Jr. – Trainer: K. G. McPeek
• 2 – Running Game (5/2) 
  Jockey: I. Ortiz, Jr. – Trainer: J. Sharp
• 6 – Risky Wave (4/1) 
  Jockey: C. A. Torres – Trainer: G. R. Arnold II

Race 2 – Claiming $16,000 (6.5 Furlongs, Dirt, Fillies & Mares)

• 7 – Just an Opinion (5/2) 
  Jockey: T. Gaffalione – Trainer: S. M. Asmussen
• 4 – Sohana (2/1) 
  Jockey: I. Ortiz, Jr. – Trainer: B. H. Cox
• 1 – St. Albans Raid (4/1) 
  Jockey: A. Beschizza – Trainer: M. A. Shirer
• 5 – Argan (9/2) 
  Jockey: D. Cannon – Trainer: T. Newton

Race 3 – Maiden Claiming $50,000 (8 Furlongs, Dirt)

• 7 – Globalist (5/2) 
  Jockey: I. Ortiz, Jr. – Trainer: B. H. Cox
• 1 – Global Quote (3/1) 
  Jockey: T. Gaffalione – Trainer: M. A. Tomlinson
• 4 – Fly Guy Mick (7/2) 
  Jockey: C. J. Lanerie – Trainer: D. L. Romans
• 3 – Vino Dominus (4/1) 
  Jockey: B. J. Hernandez, Jr. – Trainer: T. Drury, Jr.

Race 4 – Claiming $40,000 (6.5 Furlongs, Dirt, Fillies & Mares)

• 9 – Always Angels (5/1) 
  Jockey: E. Morales – Trainer: J. Sharp
• 7 – Bourbon Breeze (7/2) 
  Jockey: T. Gaffalione – Trainer: R. Brisset
• 8 – Current Climate (6/1) 
  Jockey: C. A. Torres – Trainer: E. N. Foster
• 1 – Candy Lover (9/2) 
  Jockey: B. J. Hernandez, Jr. – Trainer: P. J. McGee

Race 5 – Maiden Special Weight (6.5 Furlongs, Dirt, 2yo Fillies)

• 13 – Tam Tam (7/2, AE) 
  Jockey: J. Alvarado – Trainer: P. A. Bauer
• 6 – Soaring High (6/1) 
  Jockey: B. J. Hernandez, Jr. – Trainer: C. DeVaux
• 5 – Counting Stars (9/2) 
  Jockey: I. Ortiz, Jr. – Trainer: M. E. Casse
• 1 – Honfleur (5/1) 
  Jockey: T. Gaffalione – Trainer: C. C. Brown

Race 6 – Allowance Optional Claiming $80,000 (11 Furlongs, Turf)

• 8 – Common Defense (2/1) 
  Jockey: B. J. Hernandez, Jr. – Trainer: K. G. McPeek
• 6 – Zverev (3/1) 
  Jockey: T. Gaffalione – Trainer: M. J. Maker
• 9 – Curlin’s Malibu (4/1) 
  Jockey: I. Ortiz, Jr. – Trainer: J. Sharp
• 3 – Mount Rundle (8/1) 
  Jockey: A. Achard – Trainer: M. Nihei

Race 7 – Allowance (8.5 Furlongs, Dirt)

• 1 – Hop Sing (5/2) 
  Jockey: L. Saez – Trainer: J. F. D’Angelo
• 3 – Maximum Promise (3/1) 
  Jockey: B. J. Hernandez, Jr. – Trainer: K. G. McPeek
• 9 – Navajo Warrior (7/2) 
  Jockey: I. Ortiz, Jr. – Trainer: S. A. Joseph, Jr.
• 7 – Fort Nelson (6/1) 
  Jockey: J. Alvarado – Trainer: W. I. Mott

Race 8 – Maiden Special Weight (8.5 Furlongs, Dirt)

• 1 – Chillax (5/2) 
  Jockey: J. Alvarado – Trainer: W. I. Mott
• 5 – Matinee Idol (3/1) 
  Jockey: F. Geroux – Trainer: B. H. Cox
• 8 – Up Country (9/2) 
  Jockey: T. Gaffalione – Trainer: B. P. Walsh
• 4 – Sixtyseven Mustang (10/1) 
  Jockey: T. W. Bacon – Trainer: D. L. Anderson

🔔 Final Word

With star jockeys like Ortiz Jr., Gaffalione, Saez, and Hernandez in the irons, Thursday’s Churchill card is stacked with talent and value plays. Expect some big performances in the allowance and maiden special weight races. Who’s your best bet under the lights? Share your picks and follow Aces & Races for more race-day insights!