img HORSE

CHURCHILL DOWNS Race #8 (THE EIGHT BELLES (G3))

May 6, 2011
img3:00 PM Eastern
Premium Pick

Top pick: #4 (HOLIDAY FLARE) - Lightly raced, well-bred, in the Pletcher barn, and improving in each rip to the post. Florida bred by "Harlan's Holiday" broke her maiden in a "gutsy" wire to wire win at Gulfstream March 20, then won an entry-level allowance on the same surface a month later. Training fast since and she can make her stakes debut a successful one.

2nd pick: #2 (Home Sweet Aspen) - California shipper chased and finished second in her debut at Santa Anita Feb. 19, then was a handy maiden winner at the same track three weeks later in a strong second outing. Home-bred by "Candy Ride" is in a great barn (John Sadler) and this filly looks like she has a bright future ahead of her.

3rd pick: #7 (Honey Chile) - Talented home-bred by "Invisible Ink" has run well in four of her five starts on synthetic surfaces with her lone sub-par effort coming on this course last fall. She has plenty of early zip and ran second last out at Keeneland in the Beaumont (G2) in her first start in 5 1/2 months. Sharp trainer (Wayne Catalano) has her set for a big effort at a nice price.

4th pick: #1 (Arienza) - Oaklawn shipper won her first pair in style and then finished second in the Fantasy S.(G2) to Joyful Ride, who is one of the choices later in this card in the Kentucky Oaks (G1). Working fast since arriving from Arkansas and she draw the rail and cuts-back in distance.

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