Day 2 of Kentucky Downs Preview Weekend at Ellis Park features a quartet of stakes races over the lawn led by the Grade 3 $400,000 Pucker Up. The 9-furlong test for 3YO fillies goes as Race 9 on a ten-race card that includes three other turf stakes over the back half of the card. In fact, if you want to leverage your opinions on these stakes horizontally, you can opt to dive into either the all-stakes Pick 4 that kicks off in Race 7 or the $3 All Turf Pick 3 that gets started in Race 8. Here are a few horses I plan to lean on late this afternoon at the Pea Patch.
Race 7: Turf Cup Preview
This 1 1/4-mile event over the Ellis sod lacks early speed, so I will lean on runners that should avoid leaving themselves with too much to do late. #2 Verstappen is one of those that is likely to benefit from a modest early tempo. The son of War Front is winless on the 2025 campaign, but just missed in the Connelly at Sam Houston and finished second to Utah Beach in the Louisville (G3) in mid-May. The Brendan Walsh trainee has the tactical speed to find a favorable forward position. Expect jockey Tyler Gaffalione to take advantage of the race shape and his inside draw on this $800k+ earner.
Play: #2 Verstappen (4-1 ML)
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Race 8: Ladies Turf Mile Preview
The pace should be far more contentious in the second stake of the afternoon with #4 Summerintahoe and #5 Irish Maxima almost certain to set an honest pace. #1 Simply in Front is the likeliest to take advantage. The Summer Front filly had been up against the track profile and/or the race flow in several of her races leading up to Derby Day when she finally got a fair shot and crossed the wire first at 15-1 in the Distaff Turf Mile (G2). Trainer Eddie Kenneally understandably took a shot next out in the Just A Game (G1) where his trainee was outclassed, but did not disgrace herself finishing fifth. Kenneally has given her time and she draws beautifully along the inside as she gets back to softer competition. She should be tough with a clean voyage under Luan Machado.
Play: #1 Simply in Front (3-1)
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Race 10: Ladies Turf Sprint Preview
The card concludes with a fascinating turf sprint since 3 of the top 4 choices on the morning line all have serious early speed. #1 Coppola and #3 Joe Shiesty are all but certain to get involved early from their inside draws with #4 Go Captain and favorite #7 Nobals drawn to their outside. I am hopeful they go at it early setting things up for #11 Charcoal. The 9YO son of English Channel has just 1 win in 9 starts dating back to the start of 2024, but the victory came in this race last year. I like his chances to avoid a wide voyage with the likelihood this field separates quickly given all of the speed to his inside. Hopefully, the Tracey Wisner trainee is ready for one more big run in his third start of the form cycle.
Play: #11 Charcoal (15-1 ML)
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