Today’s Picks › Churchill Downs Picks › Fri, Nov 6
- Races
- 9
- Surfaces
- 6 Dirt · 3 Turf
- First post
- 1:00local time
- Top purse · Race 8
- OC 175k/C
- Best Bet · Race 1
- 2National Forest Nobody else in the field has run as fast as him lately
- Value play · Race 5
- 9Elusive Ring Bet at 12-1 or higher
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Churchill Downs race previews
Churchill Downs picks, race by race
- 2Top pickNational ForestGaffalione T · Cox Brad H
Why National Forest: Nobody else in the field has run as fast as him lately. Should get an easy lead with nobody to pressure him. Gets a softer spot after running against maiden special weight company.
Full card: the top three with win estimates, pace notes and confidence for every race here and at every other track today. Race Day Pass $10
- 9Top pickSuturaGaffalione T · Sisterson Jack
Why Sutura: Has run faster lately than anything else in here, and it isn't close. Ran 2nd last out, beaten 2 lengths. Has run well at 5½ furlongs before.
Also eligible, runs only if there are scratches: Toast the Star, Cheddar, Musical Mary
- 1Top pickA La VieOrtiz Y Jr · Sharp Joe
Why A La Vie: Holds a big edge on recent speed over this group. Has the most early speed in a short dirt race. Finished 3rd in her last start, 2 lengths behind the winner.
- 1Top pickThe Grumpy RabbitOrtiz J L · McPeek Kenneth G
Why The Grumpy Rabbit: Finished 2nd in her last start, 2 lengths behind the winner. Finished in the top three in 4 of 4 recent races. Steps down in class off a stakes.
- 4Top pickIroncladGaffalione T · Eurton Peter
Why Ironclad: Clearly the fastest horse in the field on recent figures. Plenty of speed in front of her sets up her late run. Was only 2½ lengths from winning last time.
Value play9 Elusive Ring Bet at 12-1 or higher
Went off at 8-1 last time but rates as a real contender here. Bullet work on Oct 24, best of 184 at the distance. Brian Lynch gets good results with second-time starters.
Also eligible, runs only if there are scratches: Parisinthespring, Sheer Jazz, Very Valentino
- 10Top pickWythevilleRodriguez W A · Ward Wesley A
Why Wytheville: Unraced colt by McKinzie who shows ability in the morning, with a bullet work on Nov 2. Turned in a bullet on Nov 2. The Wesley Ward barn does well with first-time Lasix.
- 3Top pickDoroteoOrtiz Y Jr · Sharp Joe
Why Doroteo: Clearly the fastest horse in the field on recent figures. Down in price, from $80,000 to $20,000. Turned in a bullet on Oct 31.
- 3Top pickEncinoGaffalione T · Cox Brad H
Why Encino: Ran 3rd last out, beaten 4½ lengths. Trainer Brad Cox has a strong record with horses coming back in 31 to 60 days. Has run well at 1 1/16 miles before.
- 2Top pickMotown SoundAntongrgi III W · Holsapple Hutch
Why Motown Sound: Drops from a $20,000 claimer to $16,000. The Hutch Holsapple barn does well with claimers.
Also eligible, runs only if there are scratches: Cavatelli, Denise Says No, Ride the Broom
More picks for Friday, November 6
Churchill Downs picks archive
Churchill Downs picks FAQ
Are these Churchill Downs picks free?
Yes. Every Churchill Downs card gets a free top pick for every race, a value play with the minimum odds worth taking, and the Best Bet of the day. Trackside Edge members also get the top three in every race with win estimates, pace notes, confidence ratings and multi-race tickets.
When are Churchill Downs picks posted?
Our Churchill Downs picks go up before the card, once entries are out, usually a day or more ahead. This page always shows the current or next Churchill Downs card, and every past card stays in the archive below.
How are the Churchill Downs picks made?
Every horse is rated through the TracksideProfits handicapping process: speed figures, current form and the likely pace first, then trainer and jockey, distance and surface fit and pedigree, then class, layoffs and workouts.
What does "Bet at 6-1 or higher" mean on a value play?
It is the lowest price at which the value play is worth a bet based on our win estimate. If the horse is shorter than that at post time, the value is gone.
What if one of the picks scratches?
Move to the next pick in that race. Picks are made before scratches and late changes, so always check the final field before you bet.
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Updated Nov 06, 2026