Stogie’s Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, May 31, 2025

Churchill Downs Race 6 Aristides Stakes

• 6 Skelly appears to be in fine form as he makes his third start off a layoff. This Gelding ships in via Oaklawn after 2 dominant victories at this 6-furlong distance where he won by a combined 15 lengths. He has incredible early speed and his 12 Lifetime wins all have come in front-running fashion. He has only sealed the deal once in 4 starts here at Churchill but I believe he takes this group gate-to-wire today. Top Pick
• 7 World Record is another in here who likes to wing it on the front end. Colt makes his second start off the layoff after defeating a salty group of Allowance/Optional 100k foes while running a career top. Win Contender
• 4 Happy is a Choice has shown a nice late turn of foot in these 6-furlong sprint races and would be the one to benefit if Skelly and World Record hook up in a speed duel. Major Threat

Selections 6-7-4-3

Churchill Downs Race 7 Audubon Stakes

• 6 World Beater has looked like a different horse since switching surfaces to the turf. Colt recently broke Maiden at this distance over the blades here at Churchill. I usually don’t take a Maiden victor taking on winners for the first time but this Colt has increased his turf speed figures in three consecutive starts. In his Maiden score, he looked like a seasoned veteran while defeating a large field of 10. I see this son of Oscar Performance moving forward today. Win Contender
• 3 Scipio has been facing much tougher. Roan was no match for the Grade 1 company last out but did run a strong second in the Grade 3 Transylvania at Keeneland. Win Contender
• 1 Tomasello enters here off back-to-back wins, including a nose victory when taking on winners for the first time. This son of Authentic should relish the stretch out to a mile and an eighth today. Don’t Ignore

Selections 6-3-1-8

Churchill Downs Race 8 Shawnee Stakes Grade 3

• 9 Free Like a Girl gets some much-needed class relief after butting heads with the likes of Thorpedo Anna. It has been a while since this Mare has seen the winner’s circle but this field appears beatable for this daughter of El Deal. Purchased for a mere 5.5k, this Mare has won an incredible 21 races with a lifetime earnings of 2.5 million. Top pick
• 7 Gin Gin must be considered after dominating the Grade 3 Doubledogsare Stakes where this Filly ran a career best. Any repeat of that performance wins this race. My only concern is a bounce off such a strong effort. Win Contender
• 2 Corningstone has good tactical speed and should be placed right off the likely pacesetter the #5. Mare reunites with Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr, who has ridden this gal to the winner’s circle. Live Longshot

Selections 9-7-2-6

Churchill Downs Race 9 Arlington Stakes Grade 3

• 9 Brilliant Berti is a perfect 4-4 over this turf course here at Churchill which includes a Grade 3 win. This Cherie Devaux trainee has won 6 of his last 8 starts with only 1 off the board finish. Colt has won 2 races at this distance and has been training well since his victory 3 weeks ago. Win Contender
• 7 Silent Heart was overmatched in the Grade 1 Makers Mark Mile, finishing a disappointing 7th. I love this Colt’s effort two races back where he finished a game third to a very good turf horse in Fort Washington. If this Brian Lynch trainee runs back to that race, he’ll be right there at the wire. Live Longshot
• 8 Mercante nearly won the Grade 1 Turf Classic here when finishing second by just under a length at 13-1 odds. We won’t get that juicy price today. Win Contender

Selections 9-7-8-6

Churchill Downs Race 10 Blame Stakes Grade 3

• 9 Post Time has never run a bad race in his 16 Lifetime starts. This 5-year-old finished second in last year’s Breeders Cup Dirt Mile and followed that effort with a fast closing third after missing the start. After a 5 month hiatus, Gray returned in smashing fashion when defeating an overmatched field by 13 lengths. He faces a salty group of runners today but I believe this Brittany Russell trainee is up to the task. Top Pick
• 8 Banishing has been a model of consistency, finishing no worse than second in his last 9 starts while sporting 5 trips to the winner’s circle. I prefer this son of Ghostzapper at a shorter distance than this but if Prat can give this guy a patient ride just off the lead, I’ll like his chances. Win Contender
• 3 Antiquarian won the Grade 3 Peter Pan at this distance. Colt failed to fire in Grade 1 Belmont and was sidelined for over 9 months. The Todd Pletcher-trained son of Preservationist returned with a seven-furlong confidence-building victory versus softer. There’s no telling how good this lightly raced runner is but the 15-1 morning line is too juicy to pass on. Live Longshot

Selections 9-8-3-7