Joe Kristufek’s Picks

Selections subject to change due to scratches, off the turf, etc. Double-check against program numbers before wagering.

For the most up to the minute information, tune in to " Today" presented by TwinSpires.com one hour before first post every racing day, watch the pre-race paddock show and follow Joe Kristufek on Twitter @JoeyDaKRacing

Joe's 'FINAL 2017 Top Pick stats (thru November 26)

RACES WINS 2ND 3RD WIN % WPS % 670 186 110 99 27.8% 59%

Saturday, May 5 – Happy Day!

1st Race

#2 Share the Upside – Very impressive debut #4 Crosswalk – The future looks bright #6 Once On Whiskey – Rapid progression #3 Cove Blue – Cut back makes sense

Joe’s selections: 2-5/6-3-1/4-8-7

2nd Race

#7 Super Derecho – Tactical advantage? #6 Big Gray Rocket – Still has some upside #1 Gray Sky – Begging for a hot pace #2 Summer Luck – Filly takes on boys

Joe’s selections: 7-6-1-2/9-5

3rd Race

#10 Laddie Boy – Bombs away! #4 Hollywood Handsome – Blinks off; capable #6 Irish Freedom – Touch of class; spark? #2 Krewe Chief – Claim freaked in last

Joe’s selections: 10-4-6-2-1/8-5

4th Race

#11 Believeinolidays – Keeps getting better #4 Unbridled Rebel – Can’t ignore hot barn #2 Midnight Tea Time – His dam loved lawn #3 Ding Dong Ditch – Puts it all together?

Joe’s selections: 11-4-2-3/5-12-9-7

5th Race

#1 Siem Riep – Works a golden trip? #6 Behavioral Bias – Model of consistency #8 McCraken – On edge for this #5 Petrov – Forces the issue

Joe’s selections: 1-6-8-5/9-3

6th Race – The Humana Distaff (G1)

#1 Finley’sluckycharm – Undefeated at Churchill #5 Lewis Bay – Trouble cost her in last #8 American Gal – Go to whoa threat #4 Skye Diamonds – California flash

Joe’s selections: 1-5-8-4/7-6

7nd Race – The Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2)

#3 Dream Awhile – Freaked on soft ground #9 On Leave – Steady as she goes #11 La Coronel – Must avoid duel #1 Madam Dancealot – Saves ground, closes

Joe’s selections: 3/9-11-1/2-4-5-8-7-6

8th Race – The Churchill Downs Sprint presented by Twinspires.com

#3 Imperial Hint – Super talented sprinter #1 Whitmore – Amazing win in last #5 Outplay – Proves he belongs #10 Awesome Slew – Beg for a hot pace

Joe’s selections: 3/1-5-10/7-6

9nd Race – The American Turf Stakes presented by Ram Trucks

#3 Threeandfourpence – Invades with purpose #7 Tigers Rule – Here’s the sleeper #10 Maraud – Good as any here #9 Captivating Moon – Storms home late

Joe’s selections: 3-7-10-9/11-1-6

10th Race -- The Mile (G3)

#8 Mask -- On edge for this #5 Mississippi -- 3rd in Florida Derby #14 Greyvitos -- On the comeback #12 Restoring Hope -- Good as any here

8-5-14-12-11/7-3-1

11th Race -- The Ole Forester Turf Classic (G1)

#1 Deauville -- Invades with purpose #10 Beach Patrol -- Must work a trip #7 Synchrony -- Proved he belongs #6 Arklow -- Still has upside

Joe's selections: 1-10-7/6-9-5-8-2-3-4

12th Race -- The Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1)

#14 Mendelssohn -- Could be one of a kind #7 Justify -- How good is he? #18 Vino Rosso -- Plenty of upside #5 Audible -- Tremendous prep season #10 My Boy Jack – Moves WAY up in slop!

Joe's selections: -- 14-7-18-5/6-16-9/11-10-8-4/19-15-12-2

13th Race

#3 Last Bad Habit -- Post helps the cause #9 Real Quality -- Name says it all #11 King Zachary -- Must work a trip #1 Battle at Sea -- Go to whoa threat

Joe's selections: 3-9-11-1/5-4-10

14th Race

#4 Corot – All systems go #10 Making a Marc – Flies under radar #8 Elusive Hero – Steady progression #6 Limitation – Good as any here

Joe’s selections: 4/10-8-6/1-7

Brandon Stauble’s Workout of the Day

Race1: 4/28- #3 Cove Blue finished the last 1/4 of his drill in 24.1 but caught the eye with the way he was moving. colt continued on with strong gallop out well onto the backside.

For valuable workout and racing information, follow Brandon on Twitter @bstaubs22

Kevin Kerstein’s Play of the Day

Race 12: In just three races #7 Justify stamped himself as the “buzz horse” entering this year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (GI). Justify has improved in every start and is simply running faster speed figures than the rest of the field. The undefeated colt will attempt to be the first horse since 1882 to win the Kentucky Derby without starting as a 2-year-old.

Suggested Play: #7 Justify

Twitter: @horseracingKK