Ellis Park Horse Racing Picks for Thursday 6/22/23

The “Churchill Downs at Ellis Park” spring meet in Kentucky continues through July 2. Thursday's card includes 9 races with post time at 12:45 p.m. ET. Get in the game with mobile betting on FanDuel Sportsbook.

As always, check the program for scratches and changes, check the weather and keep an eye on the track conditions.

(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions).

Ellis Park Betting Picks

According to numberFire horse racing projections and Guaranteed Tip Sheet, these are some of the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing today. The best value option will not necessarily be the top pick(s).

1. Hey Joe Joe and Fifth Avenue, Race 2

FanDuel Racing Odds: 6/1 and 7/2
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Race 2 is a Maiden Special Weight for baby 2-year-olds sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs. Three horses are scratched. The numberFire data projects Hey Joe Joe (6/1) to beat the favorite Lambo (5/2), who has leading jockey Tyler Gaffalione riding. Hey Joe Joe's pedigree says route but the gate works are swift.

Lambo makes his debut for the meet's top trainer Steve Asmussen. Fifth Avenue (7/2) is a win contender, according to Guaranteed Tip Sheet. He's a son of Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense and can improve off his fourth-place debut last month with top jockey Luis Saez riding.

2. Ottoman and Bourbon Heist, Race 8

FanDuel Racing Odds: 2/1 and 4/1
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Race 8 is an Allowance race at 1 mile with a full field of 10 runners. King Ottoman (2/1) is a win contender per numberFire and the best bet of Guaranteed Tip Sheet. He has a win and two runner-up finishes this year. Luis Saez rides for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Bourbon Heist (4/1) finished a close fourth last month just in front of Minnesota Ready (6/1). Bourbon had a pair of wins and runner-up finishes in his four previous races.

3. St. Neots and Royal Salute, Race 9

FanDuel Racing Odds: 5/2 and 7/2
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Race 9 is Maiden Special Weight at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. St. Neots (5/2) is the top pick according to numberFire's algorithm, and GTS agrees. Royal Salute (7/2) with Tyler Gaffalione up is also in the mix and can hit the board, as he's freshened for his 2023 debut and should be better as a 3-year-old.

St. Neots ran huge to finish second last time out and adds blinkers with Luis Saez riding again.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.