After the Claiming Crown card on Saturday in Louisville, Churchill Downs stays in the headlines with a $251,779 late pick 5 carryover on Races 5-9. Here are a few horses I landed on in hopes of closing out the week strong!
Race 6:
Impressive first-out victor #6 Uncle Jim is the one to beat in this first-level allowance event for 2YOs at 8.5-furlongs, but it is tough to swallow chalk on a horse taking on winners and trying a route of ground for the initial time. Therefore, I will swing against the Brad Cox trainee with #7 Magnitude. The Not This Time colt makes his first start since chasing the pace of impressive Iroquois (G3) winner, Jonathan’s Way in mid-September. The Winchell Thoroughbreds runner gets some class relief here and draws favorably to the outside in this compact group of seven. If no one else is aggressive, jockey Erik Asmussen should be able to take command early, but I think Magnitiude has a solid shot as well if he sits just off the early pace. Hopefully the two morning line choices take a good deal of money and he gets a bit overlooked in the wagering.
Play: #7 Magnitiude (3-1 ML)
Race 7:
Trainer Brad Cox also has the morning line favorite in this MSW event for 2YO fillies at 6-furlongs in first-time starter, #3 Catana. The Juddmonte homebred is the first foal out of the mare Kirby’s Penny. She who 7 of 16 in her career, earned over $400k, and won on debut albeit against $40k maiden claimers on the grass. She is the understandable top choice, but I prefer #9 Tickin Time Blonde. Trainer Vickie Oliver rarely wins at first asking, but this filly put in a solid runner-up effort at Kentucky Downs against eleven rivals to start her career this summer. Then, she backed it up by moving forward in her second lifetime start less than two months later at Keeneland when she missed by a half-length in her first dirt try. Now Oliver turns to Luis Saez, who should be able to get this gal to the front and never look back.
Play: #9 Tickin Time Blonde (5-2 ML)
Race 8
There is no doubt that if #6 Kavod gets a similar trip and runs back to his last effort, he will be very tough to get by in the Sunday feature. The 5YO gelding posted a career best run in his second-place finish to Giant Mischief at Keeneland a little over a month ago, but that was a race where speed dominated with those coming from off the pace failing to make much of an impression. I am hopeful this third-level allowance event over the main track presents a race shape that plays more towards a runner from off the pace. If it does, I love the chances of #5 Gold Luck. The Southwest Racing Stables runner returns just 15 days after being outrun against better in the $300,000 Bet on Sunshine. Not only should the Goldencents colt appreciate the class relief, but also being able to run again on Lasix. He is 5 for 10 over this surface and has run well in the past when he has been wheeled back somewhat quickly. Edgar Morales should be able to save ground early and get this bunch late.
Play: #5 Gold Luck (4-1 ML)
Good luck!
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