The racing week at Churchill Downs concludes this afternoon with a 10-race card that gets rolling at 1PM eastern. There are no stakes races on the agenda with the Dream Supreme and River City (G3) running yesterday, but there are plenty of solid wagering opportunities nonetheless, especially over the back half of the slate. Here are a few horses I like most.
Race 7:
My first play comes in this third-level allowance event at one-mile over the grass where there is not very much early speed signed on. This should bode well for #1 Noises Off. The Candy Ride gelding clearly pointed to Kentucky Downs big purses this summer, but was unable to hit the board in two tries against a bit stronger competition than he encounters this afternoon. Trainer Paulo Lobo has given the 5YO gelding two months rest since the pair of starts in Franklin and he draws favorably along the inside. Look for jockey Jose Ortiz, who takes over riding duties for the first time, to use the rail draw and his tactical speed to his advantage by securing a prominent early position. His 8 seconds in 19 starts make him tough to fully trust on the win end, but he should be well spotted for his return to the races. I will need at least 4-1 though to dive in on the Bonne Chance Farm homebred.
Play: #1 Noises Off (4-1 ML)
Race 8:
The pace should be contentious in this $50k starter for 2YO fillies traveling 6-furlongs over the main track. #2 Donna Romano is one that could take advantage, but is far too short of a price given the fact she has struggled to get out of the gate in good order in both races to kick off her career for trainer Brad Cox. I prefer California import #8 Camila Catalina. The daughter of Rock Your World shipped into Keeneland last out after two starts at Del Mar this summer for veteran conditioner Bob Hess, Jr. She ran well in both underneath finishes out west and ran terrific last out winning by more than four lengths in the end despite a pretty uncomfortable voyage between rivals on the backstretch before finding clear sailing under Julien Leparoux. If the $40k EAS May 2025 purchase can avoid significant regression off of the career best run last month, she has a big shot to make it two victories in a row in the Blue Grass State.
Play: #8 Camila Catalina (7-2 ML)
Race 10:
The week of racing in Louisville concludes with this MSW for 2YOs traveling two-turns over the grass where I like #8 Drop Shot. The son of Essential Quality is bred to enjoy routing and doing so on the grass being out of a Smart Strike mare that won 7 of 18 on the lawn earning close to $1M. The Bbn Racing colt ran a solid fourth on debut sprinting at Kentucky Downs before a bit of a disappointing effort in his first try around two-turns last month at Keeneland. Despite failing to finish in the trifecta, it was a good learning experience for Drop Shot. A move forward should be expected from the Rusty Arnold trainee with hot riding Luis Saez staying in the saddle.
Play: #8 Drop Shot (5-1 ML)
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