Churchill Downs Picks: First Card of Derby Week (4/28/2026)

Churchill Down's welcome's in Kentucky Derby week with a 9 race card. While the card is devoid of stakes races, @Handicappingt3 has all the Churchill Downs picks to get your week off to a great start.

Be sure to check out all the races and odds provided at the best horse racing betting sites. Use promo code BNBOL55 at signup to get a 55% first deposit match when you bet with BetOnline!

Churchill Downs Full Card Analysis

Churchill Downs Picks (04/28/2026)

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 12:45 PM ET; Claiming $83k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

• #2 SING A LITTLE SONG (8-5): Top pick. Looks good based on the 85 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Strong early pace figs.
• #3 C'EST CHEESE (3-1): Major Player. Gaffalione puts this one in with a chance. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #6 DANZIG'S DORA (2-1): Fringe Contender. Previous success in similar race types. This one's a fighter in the late stages.
• #5 LETMENOWHENURREADY (20-1): Fringe Contender. Could be griding down the competition late. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 2 – 3 – 6 – 5

The Plays

Win: #2 at 9-5

Exacta Box: 2,3,6

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:14 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $120k; 4 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

• #1 BOOKED (7-5): Best bet of the card. Favorable class relief in this spot. Bet today's best bet with industry leading rebates on BetOnline.
• #5 WAR READY (4-1): Contender. Gaffalione puts this one in with a chance. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #6 FANSHELL BEACH (9-5): Underneath. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race. Previous success in similar race types.
• #4 SMOKE TRAIL (8-1): Underneath. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 1 – 5 – 6 – 4

The Plays

Win: #1 at 1-1

Exacta: 1/ 5,6

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 1:43 PM ET; Starter Allowance $83k; 1 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.

• #2 QUEEN WILHELMINA (9-2): Top pick. Favorable class relief in this spot. Ortiz puts this one in with a chance.
• #7 AVISO (12-1): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
• #5 DADDARIO (6-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish.
• #6 SPYING (3-1): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.

Selections: 2 – 7 – 5 – 6

The Plays

Win: #2 at 5-1

Exacta: 2/ 7,6

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:14 PM ET; Claiming $76k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #2 SPUN CANDY (3-1): Top pick. Gutierrez and Stewart team up on this one. Looks good based on the 92 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
• #6 WISCONSIN GAL (7-2): Major Player. Running well of late. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #1 FREAKS GO (6-1): Major Player. Should sit a good trip. Curtis puts this one in with a chance.
• #7 BELLE OFTHE DANCE (2-1): Major Player. Race conditions fit this one well. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.

Selections: 2 – 6 – 1 – 7

The Plays

Win: #2 at 7-2

Exacta Box: 2,6,7

Pick 3 (races 4-6): #2,6,1,7 with #9,12,1 with #15

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 2:47 PM ET; Maiden Claiming $48k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 12 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day

• #9 HARBE (5-1): Longshot play of the day. Solid breeding for this spot. Race sets up perfectly. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
• #12 VINO DOMINUS (9-2): Contender. Good race flow for this runner.
• #1 HIGHWAY PATROL (15-1): Contender. Should sit a good trip.
• #6 STANDARD DEDUCTION (8-1): Fringe Contender. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 9 – 12 – 1 – 6

The Plays

Win: #9 at 4-1

Exacta: 9/ 12,6

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:20 PM ET; Claiming $62k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 16 runners.

Best Bet of the Card

• #15 MOUNT HOREB (5-2): Best bet of the card. Stamina to outlast the competition though the 15 post is not ideal. Love the heart this one shows in a fight. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
• #7 GENE AND JUDE (3-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #6 GARRYOWEN (6-1): Underneath. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #10 FOOTPRINT (4-1): Underneath. Race conditions fit this one well. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 15 – 7 – 6 – 10

The Plays

Win: #15 at 1-1

Exacta: 15/ 7,10

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 3:51 PM ET; Claiming $49k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 13 runners.

• #6 COMES A TIME (3-1): Top pick. Race may setup for this runner.
• #3 MCILROY (9-2): Major Player. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
• #9 NASSAU CIRCLE (15-1): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Has experience at this level.
• #7 IL CAVALLINO (8-1): Major Player. Early pace figs should have this one involved from the start. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 6 – 3 – 9 – 7

The Plays

Win: #6 at 7-2

Exacta Box: 6,3,7

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:24 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $141k; 7 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

• #6 ECHO AGAIN (9-2): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Races competitive with the top contenders.
• #9 FLOOD ZONE (4-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Running well of late.
• #1 THIS IS USCAR (8-1): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races. May be able find the right setup.
• #5 OWEN ALMIGHTY (5-1): Major Player. Race shape gives this one an edge. Rosario and Lynch team up on this one.

Selections: 6 – 9 – 1 – 5

The Plays

Win: #6 at 5-1

Exacta Box: 6,9,5

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 4:56 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $134k; 5 F Turf; Field of 12 runners.

• #1 HEART HEADED (8-1): Great longshot play to close things out. Proven competitor at this configuration. Barn has been solid.
• #5 OUR STARRY NIGHT (6-1): Contender. Good race flow for this runner. Running well of late.
• #7 SIMULATE (15-1): Contender. May be able find the right setup.
• #4 BACIO (8-5): Contender. Solid turn of foot. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 1 – 5 – 7 – 4

The Plays

Win: #1 at 4-1

Exacta: 1/ 5,4

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Betting News Kentucky Derby Horse Racing Coverage

It is wall to wall Kentucky Derby coverage from Betting News this week. Don't miss our full card analysis from Churchill Downs for every single race this week! That includes the marquee events with the Kentucky Oaks on Friday and the Run for the Roses on Saturday. Plus check out some bonus content to get you ready for the big day!

Full Card Analysis

• Betting News will have race by race analysis of the cards Tuesday-Saturday Churchill Downs. Check the site each day at 7:00 am ET for the breakdown of the day's racing action

Special Analysis

• Thursday Feature: The Derby isn't just about the racing. For many its about the parties! Betting News wants to help you be the smartest person in the room on Derby Day with our Trash Talker's Guide to the Kentucky Derby! We make a case for every runner in the field, so you can defend your pick with confidence. More importantly, we tell you why every horse can't winning making sure you can tell your buddies why their horse has no chance.
• Friday Feature: It's hard to pick the winner in the Derby, but even if you don't have a stake in one of the horses, there are plenty of Derby prop bets to consider. We'll look at the 2026 Best Kentucky Derby Props for the weekend.