Betting With, and Against, Cash Equity in the River City Stakes

A total of 10 turfers will run 1 1/8 miles on the Churchill Downs lawn in Saturday’s $300,000 River City S. (G3). The morning-line choice in the well-matched field is Mint Millions S. (G3) runner-up #10 Cash Equity (5-2) for conditioner Saffie Joseph. The six-year-old son of Toronado ran a pair of very good allowance races on the oval in June and will be a major factor with something resembling those two outings, as well as his run at Kentucky Downs two back. He has won or placed in five of six attempts at the distance in his lifetime, and the gray also possesses one of the better late kicks in the cast, too. Mike Smith will be in the stirrups. 

Cash Equity – With

$4 trifecta key 10 with 1,8,9 ($24)
$1 trifecta key 10 with 1,8,9 with all ($24)

Cash Equity – Against

$1 superfecta 8 with 1,9,10 with 1,9,10 with all ($42)

I feel that there are multiple viable options for those searching for value, led by the Shug McGaughey-trained #8 Battle of Normandy (6-1). Purchased for $500,000 as a yearling, the four-year-old son of City of Light flashed good potential in 2023 and has taken the next step this season. The colt is 3-for-3 on the turf this campaign, all since having blinkers added, and he seems poised to challenge for his initial stakes victory on Saturday. He owns good positional speed in a group lacking an abundance of early zip, and I expect him to endure a great voyage throughout in his local debut with Luan Machado taking the reins. 

Multiple Grade 3 victor #1 Emmanuel (7-2) cuts back in distance after a 12-furlong test with Grade 1 foes last time and is well drawn on the rail. The Mike Maker charge has back class and his best performance puts him right there with any of the contenders in the field, in my opinion. Luis Saez has the call. 

Grade 2 victor #9 Gigante (12-1) has yet to get a firm oval from three appearances in 2024 for Steve Asmussen, and if the four-year-old does get ground that he likely prefers, then I think he will be dangerous in the latter stages at a nice price. The four-year-old son of Not This Time has moved forward since having blinkers added towards the end of last year, and he could be overlooked in a big way with Edgar Morales in the silks.