Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Tuesday 5/2/23

It's Kentucky Derby week and the first full week of the Churchill Downs Spring Meet. There are 9 races Tuesday, and first post is at 12:45 p.m. ET.

As always, check the program for scratches and changes, monitor 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 after adjusting for track, distances, and conditions).

Churchill Downs Betting Picks

According to numberFire horse racing projections and Top Race Reports East Coast Handicapping Report, these are some of the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing today.

Did you follow FanDuel Racing picks and cash in on the biggest longshot in a recent Allowance race at Keeneland? Time For Trouble (18/1) cashed $2 win bets for $37.50 and a $2 exacta paid $189. 

Mobile betting on horse racing is easy with the best-in-class experience at FanDuel.

1. Fuente Ovejuna and Joyful Applause, Race 5

FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 7/2
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Race 5 is an Allowance race for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Both numberFire and Top Race Reports (TRR) have Fuente Ovejuna (7/2) and Joyful Applause (7/2) as top win contenders ahead of the favorite Eidikos (3/1). Fuente Ovejuna fits super class since coming in from Gulfstream. She's healthy, strings races together and each of her last two have been good efforts, according to TRR. And it doesn’t get any better on the turf than having top jockey Tyler Gaffalione riding. Joyful Applause has been freshened, resetting things for her 4-year-old year. Top Race Reports adds and reminds us that it's good to allow a horse to refresh, spend time on a farm, and deflate a bit before being brought back to the races. It can often work wonders for a horse's mental capacity, not to mention allowing the legs to freshen up.

2. Little Prankster and Giada, Race 7

FanDuel Racing Odds: 6/1 and 5/2
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Race 7 is a Maiden Special Weight for fillies and mares sprinting 6 furlongs. Top Race Reports likes Little Prankster to have a solid shot to win and hit the board in her debut race for trainer Philip Bauer, a Louisville native who is best here at Churchill Downs. This filly is working super in the mornings, and no question a well-meant daughter of Practical Joke. Giada is a top contender with Luis Saez riding for EPO trainer Brad Cox.

3. Mister Mmmm and Thanks Mr. Eidson, Race 8

FanDuel Racing Odds: 4/1 and 10/1
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Race 8 is a featured Allowance race with a full field of 12 runners who were entered to sprint 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf. Both numberFire and Top Race Reports rate Mister Mmmmm (4/1) as a top win contender and in-the-money finisher. Chasing Artie (7/2) with top jockey Luis Saez aboard is a main challenger, along with Thanks Mr. Eidson (10/1), according to numberFire's data. Top Race Reports notes that Mister Mmmmm fits super both class-wise and tactically, never far back, either on the front end or just off the flank of another wanting the lead. Jockey Jareth Loveberrycan be place the horse on or near the lead at the quarter pole to be in a position to sprint to the money and finish.

Naturally, you can bet on which horse will win the Kentucky Derby with FanDuel Racing.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.