Churchill Downs Picks: Stephen Foster (6/28/2025)

The racing action from Churchill Downs on Saturday features the Stephen Foster Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Churchill Downs picks for the entire card!

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Churchill Downs Full Card Analysis

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Churchill Downs Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 12:45 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $120k; 5 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

• #7 AMERICAN BEAR (15-1): Top pick. Favorable class relief in this spot. Strong early pace figs.

• #4 I C LIGHT (7-2): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Ortiz puts this one in with a chance.

• #8 PAPA KEN (4-1): Major Player. Should find today’s group a bit softer than the last race.

• #2 THE STANDARD (9-2): Contender. Asmussen and Asmussen team up on this one.

Selections: 7 – 4 – 8 – 2

The Plays:

• Win: #7 at 5-1

• Exacta Box: #7, 4, 8

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:15 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $120k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.

• #3 SARDIS (3-1): Top pick. Solid closing kick. Saez puts this one in with a chance.

• #1 RULE SEVENTY SIX (8-1): Major Player. Can run with these. Stamina to be in the mix late.

• #2 DEMETRIUS (12-1): Major Player. Potentially ready to hit a top number. Potential to kick home late.

• #9 BOURBON SOCIETY (7-2): Major Player. Top connections on the circuit with Landeros and Wilkes. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 3 – 1 – 2 – 9

The Plays:

• Win: #3 at 7-2

• Exacta: #3/1, 2

• Trifecta: #3/1, 2, 9/1, 2, 9

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 1:45 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $127k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #8 EXCITE (2-1): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Strong early pace figs.

• #4 SHANGRALA ROAD (5-2): Major Player. Running well of late. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.

• #6 FOUNTAIN LAKE (3-1): Major Player. Could wear these ones down late. Previous success in similar race types.

• #2 BESTFRIEND ROCKET (8-1): Contender. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.

Selections: 8 – 4 – 6 – 2

The Plays:

• Win: #8 at 3-1

• Exacta: #8/2

• Trifecta: #8/4, 6, 2/4, 6, 2

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:15 PM ET; Claiming $89k; 7 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

• #10 CLASSIC CAR WASH (4-1): Top pick. Races competitive with the top contenders. Stamina to outlast the competition.

• #5 LOCO ABARRIO (8-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.

• #6 CHIRINGO (8-1): Major Player. Likely in the mix early. Has experience at this level.

• #4 EL MAGNIFICO (3-1): Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 10 – 5 – 6 – 4

The Plays:

• Win: #10 at 3-1

• Exacta Box: #10, 5, 6

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 2:45 PM ET; Starter Allowance $83k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

• #3 LAMBO (3-1): Top pick. Strong early pace figs. Stamina to outlast the competition.

• #8 HONEST AL (5-1): Major Player. Should still be running strong in the closing stages. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.

• #7 ANTHONIAN (12-1): Major Player. The 89 speed rating is among the best in the field. This one’s a fighter in the late stages.

• #2 PROTEGE (5-1): Contender. Race shape gives this one an edge.

Selections: 3 – 8 – 7 – 2

The Plays:

• Win: #3 at 3-1

• Exacta Box: #3, 8, 7

• Trifecta Box: #3, 8, 7

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:19 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $120k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 18 runners.

• #16 CHACHING CHACHING (4-1): Prime Win Player. Race may setup for this runner. Could be ready for a top effort.

• #17 MARGARITA GIRL (5-2): Contender. Likely to get forward position. Should take a liking to the race shape.

• #2 SPEIGHTER WOMAN (7-2): Contender. Should find today’s group a bit softer than the last race. Previous success in similar race types.

• #3 VIOLET IRENE (6-1): Fringe Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field.

Selections: 16 – 17 – 2 – 3

The Plays:

• Win: #16 at 7-2

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 3:52 PM ET; Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis Stakes $500k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 5 runners.

• #3 THORPEDO ANNA (3-5): Top pick. Looks good based on the 107 speed rating which is among the top in the group.

• #1 ROYAL SPA (4-1): Major Player. Running well of late. Seems to be up against the right competition.

• #4 GIN GIN (7-2): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races. Should find today’s group a bit softer than the last race.

• #5 TAXED (9-2): Fringe Contender. Bejarano puts this one in with a chance.

Selections: 3 – 1 – 4 – 5

The Plays:

• Win: #3 at 1-1

• Exacta: #3/5

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:25 PM ET; Tepin Stakes $250k; 1 M Turf; Field of 8 runners.

• #6 VIXEN (2-1): Best bet of the card. Should be able to work out a trip. Shouldn’t have trouble getting the distance. Bet today’s best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.

• #4 PRINCESS ATTITUDE (10-1): Major Player. Comes home strong.

• #5 LUSH LIPS (9-5): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races. Potential to have this pace fall just right.

• #1 FIXIN TO BEE (8-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Solid turn of foot.

Selections: 6 – 4 – 5 – 1

The Plays:

• Win: #6 at 1-1

• Exacta: #6/4, 5, 1

• Trifecta: #6/4, 5, 1/4, 5, 1

• Pick 3 (races 8-10): #6 with #1, 4, 6 with #3, 8

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 4:58 PM ET; Kelly’s Landing Stakes $250k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #1 DR. VENKMAN (5-2): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Top connections on the circuit with Fresu and Glatt.

• #4 ROLL ON BIG JOE (3-1): Major Player. Should take a liking to the race shape. Leparoux and Hess team up on this one.

• #6 HAPPY IS A CHOICE (10-1): Major Player. Speed figs match up nicely. Should sit a good trip.

• #3 BOOTH (2-1): Contender. Early pace figs should have this one involved from the start. Shouldn’t be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 1 – 4 – 6 – 3

The Plays:

• Win: #1 at 5-2

• Exacta Box: #1, 4, 6

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 5:31 PM ET; Wise Dan Stakes $500k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.

• #8 FORT WASHINGTON (6-1): Longshot play of the day. Solid closing kick. Shouldn’t have trouble getting the distance. Bet today’s live longshot on MyBookie.

• #3 MI HERMANO RAMON (9-2): Major Player. Seems to be up against the right competition. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.

• #7 BRILLIANT BERTI (3-1): Major Player. Could jump up in the figures and be dangerous.

• #6 TAKING CANDY (8-1): Contender. Shouldn’t be disadvantaged by the flow of the race. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint.

Selections: 8 – 3 – 7 – 6

The Plays:

• Win: #8 at 7-2

• Exacta: #8/3, 7, 6

• Trifecta: #8/3, 7, 6/3, 7, 6

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 11

Post Time: 6:03 PM ET; Stephen Foster Stakes $1000k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #4 SIERRA LEONE (5-2): Top pick. Looks good based on the 114 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Proven competitor at this configuration.

• #2 MINDFRAME (7-2): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.

• #6 HIT SHOW (9-2): Major Player. Potentially ready to hit a top number. Should sit a good trip.

• #3 SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING (6-1): Major Player. Ortiz and Joseph team up on this one. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint.

Selections: 4 – 2 – 6 – 3

The Plays:

• Win: #4 at 3-1

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 12

Post Time: 6:32 PM ET; American Derby $250k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.

• #8 FREEDOM’S NOT FREE (7-2): Top pick. Fresu puts this one in with a chance. Race sets up perfectly.

• #1 REAGAN’S WIT (3-1): Major Player. Running well of late. Comes home strong.

• #10 ANEGADA (12-1): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races. Should find today’s group a bit softer than the last race.

• #9 GIOCOSO (10-1): Major Player. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 8 – 1 – 10 – 9

The Plays:

• Win: #8 at 3-1

• Exacta: #8/10, 9

• Trifecta: #8/1, 10, 9/1, 10, 9

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Friday Analysis

• Penn National Picks featuring the Grade 3 Penn Mile Stakes

Saturday Analysis

• Churchill Downs Picks featuring the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Stakes
• Laurel Park Picks featuring the Deputed Testamony Stakes
• Woodbine Picks featuring the Grade 2 bet365 Highlander Stakes

Sunday Analysis

• Churchill Downs Picks featuring the Maxfield Stakes