Happy Opening Day at Churchill Downs

It's opening night at Churchill Downs, and the 10-race card not only kicks off Kentucky Derby week beneath the Twin Spires but also offers a bet back on TwinSpires.com.

For Churchill Downs handicapping reports, CLICK HERE.

We'll look to put our grid into action on the card and get our bet back if any of the horses in the "TP" column finish second (though of course we prefer them to win!).

Churchill Downs has one of my favorite wagering menus with Pick 4s on the 1st, 4th, and 7th races and 15% takeout Pick 5s on races 2 & 6. That makes that middle Pick 4 (races 4, 5, 6, & 7) extremely important as it involves all three Pick 4s in some capacity and both Pick 5s via race 6.

Thankfully, our best bet of the day is in race 4, which ends the early Pick 4 (races 1-4) and begins the middle Pick 4 (races 4-7). #7 Esposito stretches back out on the turf after some off-turf efforts for trainer Matt Shirer, who is a Cleveland-area native like me.

Our most likely winner on the card is #5 Treble in race 8. There is solid speed in here in the short-field sprint, and Treble has shown the ability to sit close to a fast pace.

Good luck everyone!