PTF here, subbing for Michael D this Saturday at Kentucky Downs – BIG shoes to fill. It’s a typically competitive KD card highlighted by a whole bunch of stakes action. Let’s see if we can find a few winners.
Race 1
6-9-1
#6 TRICKY KITTY has a proper turf pedigree and that’s one of the things I look at around here. Kitten’s Joy is a renowned turf influence and second dam Dynamic Holiday was a stakes filly on the green. Brendan Walsh lethal at this place. #9 LES IS BEST beat the top one last out and ran well at KD on her debut. She might not be quite as exposed as she looks. #1 IN THE STARS ran her best race on turf. Still trying to figure out how she only cost $300k with this blood (Into Mischief out of G1 monster Stellar Wind) but that’s not really relevant. The way she finished in the lone turf out she might enjoy this place.
Race 2
2-4-10
#2 LA DOLCE VITA looks like the clear speed and has strong bloodlines being by Not This Time out of an Into Mischief dam who has already produced two turf route winners. Bet like a good thing on debut, maybe needs turf and distance to show it. #4 ONTOLOGY has great breeding (Kitten’s Joy/G1-placed Scat Daddy dam) and I liked the debut going long at Ellis where she looked to be figuring things out late. #10 RESPLENDENCE gained valuable experience first out for a wily trainer in Paulo Lobo who has some sneaky good stats at KD.
Race 3
5-3-1
#5 MAKE THE BOYS WINK ran better than it looked in the lone KD start, moving into a fast pace and finding trouble. She’s shown some good finish, and might enjoy this shorter distance in a race where there’s plenty of pace. #3 PRINCESS BETTINA has shown plenty of speed going farther but could get a good stalk and pounce trip here. Brian Lynch another trainer I give extra credit to ad KD. #1 MILLIAT has done well in extended sprints on turf and synth and looks well spotted for Walsh.
Race 4
1-8-9
#1 OPERATION SUNRISE has a “speed of the speed” look breaking from the 1 and he might just have the stamina for the galloping six furlongs based on the fact that Mott debuted him going long. #8 THE WARDEN has been sticking on OK going farther, might be the one to benefit if this turns into a proper pace burn up. #9 NO AH A goes out for a sharp outfit and the form of that maiden win at Hawthorne has worked out well with a couple of next out winners. Maybe he can stalk and pounce his way to another victory.
Race 5
1-13-3
#1 TEXAS QUEEN might like this more galloping turf sprint configuration based on how she’s shaped in her races and one of her siblings was an impressive winner here. #13 EPIC STYLE looks a big threat should she draw in. She was against the flow last time and the winner has come back to repeat. #3 POINTSETMATCH has been a lot better on turf and those figs were earned back in March so it’s logical she could be faster now. Should be able to improve second off the bench as well.
Race 6
7-10-11
#7 MR BOBO ran two pretty decent turf races at Ellis and I thought maybe the last was even a little better than the bare running line given he made his move into a fast pace. He has the right level experience for this test – not too little, not too much. #10 MARY’S LAD feels like a potential KD improver based on his European bloodlines and the way he stayed on decently first out. #11 CLEAR THE BEACH ran with credit on debut and has a terrific turf cross with Omaha Beach (by War Front) on top and being out of a stakes-winning dam by Smart Strike.
Race 7
Listed Gold Cup Invitational
7-4-6
#7 FLATTEN THE CURVE makes a lot of sense back in the USA after his first attempt to run here was washed off in the Belmont Gold Cup. This is what he wants to be doing – galloping opponents into the ground going 2+ miles on turf. #4 LIMITED LIABILITY was my official selection in that Bel Gold Cup. He ended up giving that a miss when it moved to dirt. Got tired chasing the fast pace in the United Nations last time; this is class relief and crushed in this race last year. On all tickets. Those would be my two As but if you want a third horse for exotics #6 LORD EDDARD STARK might have enough finish to run into a minor placing – lone 2-mile start was a win at 60-1.
Race 8
Grade 2 Ladies Turf Sprint
6-12-4
#6 AG BULLET is a proper Grade 1 turf sprinter who won this race last year. She’s an obvious favorite I’ll be with. #12 SIMPLY IN FRONT has been remarkably consistent in terms of speed figures and has some class about her. Won the three-year-old stake last year and might get the right kind of setup. #4 DANSE MACABRE has had success around KD before and may have simply bounced in this race last year. I’ll be including her.
Race 9
Grade 2 Turf Sprint
2-6-7
#2 HOWARD WOLOWITZ is a Grade 1 winner over this track and he’s been working up a storm for his return to the races since his debacle in Saudi. Not just for Big Bang Theory fans. #6 KHAADEM ran an excellent race in this race last year to the very good Cogburn. Could get a Spencer special here swooping late to pass tiring speeds. #7 ARREST ME RED owns some of the best form in the race and has had success locally. What I really like is his ability to win with a variety of running styles.
Race 10
Grade 3 Nashville Derby
6-2-12
#6 SIMULATE was very much against the flow of things in the Secretariat and should have at least an even pace to run at this time around. This is a tremendous grass pedigree and this unusual KD configuration could bring out his best. #2 TEST SCORE is a tactical sort who has run in the best races for domestic three-year-old turfers. I could see another good trip and representative effort here and that might be enough. #12 WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE is an invader I’ll keep on side. He fits on his bets bits of form and may fly a bit under the radar with all the ex-Kentucky Derby runners in here.
Race 11
Grade 3 KD Ladies Turf
2-7-3
#2 SPECIAL WAN has an extremely live look as she combines overall speed with tactical ability and class, and has shown an affinity for this unusual racing surface. #7 SACRED WISH is an old favorite and she ran a bang-up race against the flow here last year – there looks like there’s plenty of pace to set up her late run. #3 CHESHIRE DANCER is an in-form invader who should be a price. Piecing through her form, I think a left-handed galloping configuration will suit her.
Race 12
8-5-14
#8 SECRET MARRIAGE goes out for a shrewd trainer in Vicky Oliver and has a valuable race under his belt. I think he’ll be much fitter for this test and will move forward. #5 CYNICAL HUMOR has a good-looking pedigree and fast works and goes out for Wes Ward, who excels with firsters and has good marks (better than I’d have thought for a guy who trains for speed) around KD. #14 VITO CORLEONE has an interesting pedigree and Dallas Stewart has better numbers than you might think first-out. If he sneaks in off the AEs, he might make be an offer you can’t refuse.
