Churchill Downs Picks: Winning Colors Stakes (05/25/2026)

Chris Adams

Written by: Chris Adams

Published: Mon May 25, 2026, 7:00 am ET

Read Time: 6 minutes

The Falls City will be featured on the Churchill Thanksgiving card.

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The racing action from Churchill Downs on Monday features the Winning Colors Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Churchill Downs picks for the entire card!

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Churchill Downs Full Card Analysis

Churchill Downs Picks: Winning Colors Stakes (05/25/2026)

Churchill Downs Picks: Winning Colors Stakes (05/25/2026)

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 12:45 PM ET; Maiden Claiming $67k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 11 runners.

  • #2 MY LUCKY PENNY (15-1): Prime Win Player. Should still have something in the tank late. Favorable class relief in this spot.
  • #9 DONTWORRYBOUTNOTHN (2-1): Contender. Looks fast enough off previous efforts. Likely to get forward position.
  • #3 JOIN (12-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types. Should sit a good trip.
  • #4 MOUQEER (8-1): Contender. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race. Should still have enough in the reserves if there in the final furlong.

Selections: 2 – 9 – 3 – 4

The Plays

Win: #2 at 5-1

Exacta: 2 / 9,3,4

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:14 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $120k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

  • #2 FORTUNE KING (30-1): Top Pick. Favorable class relief in this spot. Proven competitor at this configuration.
  • #5 BOURBON TOWN (8-5): Major Player. Likely to take a step forward. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
  • #7 HEY TUFF GUY (3-1): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Previous success in similar race types.
  • #3 GUN FOR GLORY (4-1): Major Player. Race conditions fit this one well. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 7 – 3

The Plays

Win: #2 at 5-1

Pick 3 (Races 2-4): #2,5 with #3 with #3,7,5

Trifecta: 2 / 5,7 / 5,7,3

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 1:43 PM ET; Allowance $127k; 1 3/8 M Turf; Field of 7 runners.

  • #3 SNIPSNIPPITYSNIP (2-1): Best Bet of the Card. Love the heart this one shows in a fight. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
  • #5 MALIBU SMART (15-1): Major Player. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
  • #2 ENSORCELL (8-1): Contender. Potential to have this pace fall just right. Barn has been sending out runners.
  • #7 PLAZA ATHENEE (3-1): Fringe Contender. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch. Recent races are solid.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 2 – 7

The Plays

Win: #3 at 1-1

Exacta: 3 / 5,2

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:13 PM ET; Claiming $49k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

  • #3 DUCAT (7-2): Top Pick. Shouldn't have trouble getting the distance. Barn has been solid.
  • #7 WHAT'S HER NUMBER (3-1): Major Player. Likely to get forward position. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
  • #5 CALIFORNIA SMOKE (6-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types. Likely in the mix early.
  • #2 AUTHENTIC ANGEL (4-1): Major Player. Top connections on the circuit with Carrasco and Garci.

Selections: 3 – 7 – 5 – 2

The Plays

Win: #3 at 3-1

Exacta: 3 / 7,5,2

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 2:45 PM ET; Claiming $63k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

  • #4 JUST A FAIR SHAKE (4-1): Top Pick. Barn has been solid. Fits well with this group.
  • #9 YELLOW BRICK (6-1): Major Player. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
  • #5 IZZY D'ORO (6-1): Contender. Hard to argue with the recent races. Not likely to be short in the stretch.
  • #10 PROTECTIVE (15-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 4 – 9 – 5 – 10

The Plays

Win: #4 at 3-1

Exacta: 4 / 9,5,10

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:18 PM ET; Starter Allowance $83k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

  • #2 RATIONAL THEORY (5-2): Top Pick. Strong early pace figs. Favorable class relief in this spot.
  • #3 SHANETT (4-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Likely to get forward position.
  • #8 BOURBON SERENGETI (10-1): Contender. Santana puts this one in with a chance.
  • #4 SPUN CANDY (6-1): Contender. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 2 – 3 – 8 – 4

The Plays

Win: #2 at 2-1

Exacta: 2 / 3,8,4

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 3:50 PM ET; Claiming $76k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 14 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day

  • #2 CLOCKER SPECIAL (6-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Race may setup for this runner. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
  • #5 TAMINO (8-5): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
  • #13 LUCIUS VERUS (8-1): Major Player. This one's a fighter in the late stages.
  • #10 WEAREBACKYOUNGMAN (9-2): Major Player. Potential to get the pace of the race flow. Gaffalione puts this one in with a chance.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 13 – 10

The Plays

Win: #2 at 5-1

Trifecta: 2 / 5,13 / 5,13,10

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:22 PM ET; Winning Colors Stakes $250k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

  • #6 ONE MAGIC PHILLY (6-1): Top Pick. Barn has been solid. Strong early pace figs.
  • #8 JERSEY PEARL (10-1): Major Player. Should still be running strong in the closing stages. Seems to be up against the right competition.
  • #7 USHA (7-5): Major Player. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
  • #1 FOIE GRAS (5-1): Major Player. Recent races are solid. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint.

Selections: 6 – 8 – 7 – 1

The Plays

Win: #6 at 5-1

Exacta: 6 / 8,1

Churchill Downs Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 4:55 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $120k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 16 runners.

  • #13 WAR AND MAJESTY (8-1): Top Pick. Barn has been solid. Should be able to work out a trip.
  • #6 LAHAINALUNA (9-2): Major Player. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
  • #10 VIVALDI (6-1): Major Player. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race. Previous success in similar race types.
  • #16 MOON CHANNEL (12-1): Major Player. Race shape gives this one an edge. Could be grinding down the competition late.

Selections: 13 – 6 – 10 – 16

The Plays

Win: #13 at 5-1

Exacta: 13 / 6,10,16

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Chris Adams
Chris Adams

Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.

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