Ellis Park Stakes Pick 3 for Saturday

Day 1 of Kentucky Downs Preview Weekend at Ellis Park will play host to a trio of black-type races on the turf. 

Wagers:

• $3 Pick 3: 5,6,8 with with 2,7,8 with 4 ($27)
• $3 Pick 3: 8 with 2,7,8 with 4 ($9)

Race 7 – Mint Ladies Turf S. 

The 5 1/2 furlong grassy dash for fillies and mares attracted a field of eight, led by the fantastic #8 Ova Charged (6-5), who is a sterling 5-for-5 on the lawn in her lifetime. By Star Guitar, the six-year-old Cajun-bred has won seven races in succession in advance of her local debut and has yet to be defeated on the sod. She proved last time to be capable of rallying from off the pace en route to victory, and the class act will be difficult to knock off, obviously. 

I never love to start a multi-race wager with a short-priced favorite, so I will include two others. Rusty Arnold’s #5 Red Carpet Ready (2-1) is a very good sprinter on the dirt, and she wouldn’t be a surprise to be the same on the turf. Two-time Grade 3 heroine is bred to thrive on the green and could be very dangerous on this occasion. #6 Niki Nine Doors (6-1) looked really good in a Pea Patch S. triumph from off the pace most recently, and she will get a fast pace to rally into on this day. If the trio of front runners duel with each other early, it could set her up for the upset. 

Race 8 – Nashville Derby

Sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles on the sod in the middle leg. #2 Abrumar (9-2) is my top selection in the race but I’m not comfortable with him as a single. The Saffie Joseph trainee had a nice prep for this when third at Monmouth behind a super-sharp winner, and his best performance will make him especially tough in his local debut beneath Corrales. 

#8 Cameo Performance (7-2) and #7 Green Light (2-1), finished one-two in a maiden run at Keeneland in the spring, and each has flashed growth since that event. I will put the duo on my ticket. 

Race 9 – Mint Million Turf Mile S. 

A cast of nine will race one mile on the green in the final segment. If the pace of the race is at least honest, which I do expect, then #4 Highway Robber (7-2) will have a big chance to mow them down late in his third run on the course. This Hard Spun gelding toppled an allowance cast in his first turf showing here last summer, which preceded a closing second in a stakes race at nine panels at Ellis Park. The Brian Lynch charge has put in a pair of good efforts beneath the Twin Spires off the layoff in advance of Saturday, and he might peak third off the shelf under Declan Cannon.