Churchill Downs Saturday, September 23: Dogwood Selections

Churchill Downs features a number of stake races on Saturday, September 23. The card includes the Grade 3 Dogwood as race number 10.

Full Card Analysis

Churchill Downs- Race 1

Post Time: 6:00 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight Purse: $120,000; Distance: 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 16

• #2 BUCHU (7-2) appears to be a significant contender in this race. She is expected to settle in mid-pack and make a strong late run.
• #4 BA DEE YAH (10-1) offers good value as a price horse and is our top selection. She has shown promising speed figures and deserves respect, especially with the combination of Amoss and Morales.
• #9 LUZ DIVINA (4-1) is another strong contender who should improve from her first start. Her previous performances suggest she can compete at this level, and she has experience handling these turf conditions.
• #6 YAMMY YAMMY BELLA (12-1) is also a price horse to watch. She seems competitive in this spot and can't be discounted.

Selections: 2 – 4 – 9 – 6

Churchill Downs- Race 2

Post Time: 6:28 PM ET; Maiden Claiming Purse: $63,000; Distance: 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #6 SWEET MIMI (4-1) is our top pick. She boasts competitive speed figures and could pose a threat if she manages to secure an early lead.
• #1 QUIMICHIS (12-1) is a longshot with potential. Her pedigree suggests she can be a major player in this race.
• #8 BACKWOODS BARBIE (9-2) should improve from her first start and has been performing well recently. She has the ability to challenge for victory and deserves consideration.
• #5 BIKINI BOTTOM (5-1) is another contender likely to improve from her initial outing. She's worth including in your exotic bets, given the combination of Amoss and Morales.

Selections: 6 – 1 – 8 – 5

Churchill Downs- Race 3

Post Time: 6:56 PM ET; Claiming Purse: $82,000; Distance: 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 7

• #5 ROUTE RUNNER (5-1) is our top choice. He appears to be the best fit for this distance and shouldn't face any issues handling it.
• #7 B SUDD (5-2) is a major player in this race and looks to be the class of the field. Expect him to sit in the second tier of runners and make a well-timed move towards the leaders.
• #4 ESCAPOLOGIST (3-1) is another strong contender, likely to employ a similar race strategy as B SUDD.
• #6 QUATERNION (7-2) should also be considered. He's shown he can handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 5 – 7 – 4 – 6

Churchill Downs- Race 4

Post Time: 7:26 PM ET; Maiden Claiming Purse: $50,000; Distance: 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 9

• #5 THE PRINCESS SAYS (5-2) is our top selection. She has the ability to beat this group, and with the Hartman barn and Arrieta as her rider, she's in good hands.
• #6 AUNT JO (7-2) should be competitive in this field. She possesses solid early pace figures, which could be advantageous in a race with limited front-running speed.
• #1 EVIE'S ENCORE (3-1) is well bred for this spot and shouldn't have any trouble with the distance.
• #8 GOING TO TOWN (15-1) offers value as a price horse and has demonstrated the ability to handle these conditions.

Selections: 5 – 6 – 1 – 8

Churchill Downs- Race 5

Post Time: 7:57 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight Purse: $120,000; Distance: 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 9

• #5 SAHALAT (8-5) is our top pick. Expect improvement from his first start, and he has solid early pace figures in a race lacking significant front-running speed.
• #7 NOT SO HOLY (5-1) is likely to improve from his initial outing and is a good choice to include in exotic wagers. He's projected to settle mid-pack and make a late run.
• #3 FURIOUS ANGER (6-1) is another contender who should improve. He has strong early pace figures and goes out for the Romans barn with Chuan as the jockey.
• #4 SHORTSTOP (8-1) may be running for minor placings in this race, but shouldn't be entirely dismissed.

Selections: 5 – 7 – 3 – 4

Churchill Downs- Race 6

Post Time: 8:30 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming Purse: $141,000; Distance: 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 13

• #8 WAR CAMPAIGN (6-1) appears to be the top choice here. He seems well-suited for this race and has the performances to beat this group.
• #6 GRAY'S FABLE (9-2) should be competitive in this spot and is worth considering in your selections.
• #3 STREET READY (4-1) is a contender who has been solid in recent starts and may be ready for a strong performance here.
• #4 CELLIST (5-2) also merits consideration due to his competitive speed figures, although he tends to run evenly.

Selections: 8 – 6 – 3 – 4

Churchill Downs- Race 7

Post Time: 9:05 PM ET; Bourbon Trail Stakes Purse: $300,000; Distance: 1 3/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 7

• #5 OSCAR ECLIPSE (3-1) is our top pick. He's well-suited for this distance and should perform well.
• #2 SLIP MAHONEY (5-2) is a major player in this race and should handle the distance comfortably. He also makes sense based on speed figures.
• #3 DENINGTON (7-2) is another competitive contender, and he shouldn't have trouble with the distance.
• #7 BIG DATA (5-1) is worth considering as well. He looks to be the class of the field and could make a strong late run.

Selections: 5 – 2 – 3 – 7

Churchill Downs- Race 8

Post Time: 9:39 PM ET; Harrods Creek Stakes Purse: $300,000; Distance: 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 7

• #6 EVERSO MISCHIEVOUS (2-1) is our top choice. He has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a successful stalking trip. His previous performances indicate he can beat this group.
• #5 MOUNT UP (7-2) should be competitive in this spot and deserves respect with the Pletcher-Jaramillo combination.
• #1 BOURBON BASH (6-1) is a closer who could be a factor late in the race. His closing kick might be enough to secure a victory.
• #4 BOUNCER (5-1) is another contender in good form, and he appears to be the class of the field.

Selections: 6 – 5 – 1 – 4

Churchill Downs- Race 9

Post Time: 10:11 PM ET; Seneca Overnight Stakes Purse: $175,000; Distance: 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 8

• #1 TAXED (5-2) is our top choice, boasting the top overall power rating in the group. He's well-suited for the distance.
• #3 SHE'S LOOKIN LUCKY (5-1) should be competitive and part of the early pace in this race, making her a strong contender.
• #4 POBLANO (3-1) is another contender who should be part of the early pace and merits consideration.
• #2 SABRA TUFF (6-1) is in good form and can't be ignored.

Selections: 1 – 3 – 4 – 2

Churchill Downs- Race 10

Post Time: 10:42 PM ET; Dogwood Stakes Purse: $300,000; Distance: 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 9

• #1 YESTERNIGHT (3-1) is our top pick. She has the top overall power rating in the group and could benefit from the race setup.
• #9 ALEXA LOU (4-1) should be competitive and may benefit from a fast early pace. Her speed figures make her a logical choice.
• #3 FLAMAND (5-1) is another contender with a shot in this race. She's in good form and has a strong closing kick.
• #2 METAPHYSICAL (10-1) is a price horse who could contend if the race unfolds favorably.

Selections: 1 – 9 – 3 – 2

Churchill Downs- Race 11

Post Time: 11:10 PM ET; Allowance Race Purse: $127,000; Distance: 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 12

• #11 FOREVER AFTER ALL (4-1) is our top pick. She has shown the ability to compete at this level and shouldn't have trouble with the distance.
• #12 LET'S DUET (5-1) is a major player in this race, though she'll likely need to make a strong late run to contend. Her speed figures make her a solid choice.
• #10 DAWNY (20-1) is a price horse with consistent pace figures, making her worth considering, especially in a moderately paced race.
• #4 BRU NA BOINNE (6-1) is another contender who should be respected, especially with the combination of Calhoun and Arrieta.

Selections: 11 – 12 – 10 – 4

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Betting News provides AI generated handicapping tools for all of the major tracks around the country each and every day.

In addition, Betting News will continue to provide in depth analysis of select cards throughout the week. This week's analysis will feature the cards listed below.

Saturday

• Belmont at the Big A featuring the Grade 3 Noble Damsel
• Churchill Downs featuring the Grade 3 Dogwood Stakes
• Parx featuring the Grade 1 Cotillion, the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby, and 3 additional graded events.

Sunday

• Remington Park featuring the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby

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