Garrity's Sunday Horse Racing Picks for Churchill Downs and Belmont feature likely winner and money-burner

After a long, hot, exhausting Preakness Saturday yesterday, we have just two plays today: one at Churchill Downs, and one 20 minutes later at Belmont Park. We expect firm turf in Louisville, and fast dirt in New York, so let’s go.

Churchill Downs, Race 8, 4:22 pm ET

Allowance, 1 ⅜ miles, Turf, 3 & Up

This 11-furlong first-level turf allowance drew a field of ten. The pick is 3-Win Worthy, who seems to be rounding into form, having just missed, finishing second, in a similar spot at Keeneland last time out. We like his turf pedigree; we like that he should thrive at the distance; we like his trainer, Joe Sharp; and most of all, we like the fact that he finishes his races strongly, which is always important in races on the grass. Add it up, and he is the likeliest winner, and at 3-1, a win-worthy play. We will bet him to win. The bet: Churchill Downs, Race 8, $40 to win on 3-Win Worthy.

Belmont Park, Race 8, 4:40 pm ET

Allowance/Optional Claiming, 7 furlongs, Dirt, 3 & Up

A field of eight older allowance runners lines up for today’s 8th at Belmont Park. We are taking a shot with a horse who has burned more money than Pablo Escobar: it’s 8-Hidden Scroll, who ran so fast so early – he earned a stratospheric speed figure winning his debut race, all the way back in January of 2019 – that some anointed him the second coming of Seattle Slew. To say he has not lived up to that promise in his twelve starts since is the understatement of the year, but we think that his results since his first race are more an issue of perception than an indictment of Hidden Scroll’s ability. Starting for new trainer Wesley Ward, and coming off a bit of a layoff, we think he looks fit and ready for this spot, and as he is 6 years old now, and no longer the flavor of the month among bettors, he is a generous 10-1 price on the morning line. We do not think he is headed for superstardom among older stakes horses this year, but we do think he can beat this group of allowance runners, and that makes his square odds too good to pass up. We will bet him to win. The bet: Belmont Park, Race 8, $40 to win on 8-Hidden Scroll.

That’s all for today. Until the next time, enjoy the racing, be safe, and, as always, good luck at the windows.