Friday Horse Play of the Day - Churchill Downs Race 3

Race-day: 7/3/2009

Race-time: 3:48 pm est.

Friday is the first day of what promises to be a fantastic weekend in horse racing in the United States. With the 4th of July on Saturday, the Racebook figures to showcase some amazing racing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

But horseplayers should realize that just because it’s a graded stakes race, it doesn’t mean that it’s a better race to find a nice wager than a good, old fashioned, claimer.

Let’s take a look at Race 3 at Churchill Downs on Friday.

Churchill Downs – Race 3

Claiming $40,000

For Fillies Three Years Old

1 1/16th miles on turf

Truck Ride - - 8/1 morning line

Usually, I’d step away from a horse trying turf for the first time, but Truck Ride has been pretty good lately with a victory and a third in her last two races. In her last, first time for trainer Michael Maker, she sat a length behind before taking over in the stretch. Now, she goes to the barn of Daniel Sanner and could actually improve a tad as Sanner has done well with limited stock this year. He’s looking for his first winner at the meet. Truck Ride could be that horse as her sire, Candy Ride, was fantastic on turf.

O’Sotopretty - - 8/1 morning line

She is coming off of a 7 furlong victory, stretches out to the 1 1/16th mile distance, and has never run on turf before, but I’m giving her a shot to finish in the top two because there are 3 speed horses in this, the three favorites that have no other way of running. O’Sotopretty should lay off some before making a run. If the speed develops in front of her, she could very well be tough to handle in the lane.

Alexandrite Ring - - 5/1 morning line

With Robby Albarado on her back, Alexandrite Ring should be in good position turning for home. If the three favorites get into a speed duel, and that’s what I’m counting on, then Alexandrite Ring will have only Truck Ride to run down. I see Alexandrite Ring getting a very good trip under Albarado and putting in a good run.

Wagering Strategy

I’m going to bet Truck Ride to win and place. I will put Truck Ride, O’Sotopretty and Alexandrite Ring into an exacta and trifecta box.