Sunday Horse Play of the Day - Churchill Downs Race 7

Race-day:  6/28/2009

Race-time:  3:57 pm est.

For BetUS online racebook fans finding an overlay in any race is exciting but difficult to do.  The key is to understand that sometimes overlays are found on the dirt and sometimes they are found on the turf.

Sunday’s Horse Pick of the Day is a potential overlay that is found on the turf.

Let’s take a look at Race 7 at Churchill Downs on Sunday.

Churchill Downs – Race 7

Optional Claiming $100,000

For Three Year Olds and Upward Which Have Not Won Three Races Other Than Maiden, Claiming, Starter or State Bred Since November 1st or Claiming Price $100,000

5 furlongs on turf

St Joe - - 3/1 fair odds

St. Joe has won his last two races, which is impressive, but what’s more impressive is that he’s won his last two races by doing something different in each.  Two races ago, he took the lead.  In his last race he laid back and made a run.  Top turf jock Julien Leparoux takes the call again and because St. Joe is coming from the outside, Leparoux could decide to pull back or to move him up into contention early.

No Fault - - 4/1 fair odds

No Fault finished 3rd to St. Joe in his last but he could do better in that in this because that was his first race off of a slight layoff.  No Fault has also had three decent works since that race.  Jockey Robby Albarado can definitely ride and there’s no doubt that No Fault has talent.  He’s got a shot.

Eaton’s Gift - - 6/1 fair odds

Eaton’s Gift appears to be the speed of the speed and because he gets an outside draw in this could be very tough turning for home.  He’s never run on turf and usually that could pose a problem, but he’s out of Johannesburg and has been running in graded and stakes races for a while now.

Wagering Strategy

St. Joe is a good bet to win and place at 3 to 1 odds or higher.  I will also put St. Joe, Eaton’s Gift and No Fault into an exacta box.