How to bet the Rocket Express

An overflow field of 16 is entered for Saturday’s $100,000 Rocket Express S. at Churchill Downs. The six-furlong heat, which is part of the hugely popular Claiming Crown, is for horses that have started for a claiming price of $8,000 or less, but the cast that has been assembled is very talented despite the modest conditions.   

Rocket Express Wagers

• $2 trifecta 1 with 2,8 with all ($40)
• 50-cent trifecta 2,8 with 1 with all ($10)
• 50-cent superfecta 1 with 2,8 with 2,8 with all ($9)

The Carlos David-trained #1 Caramel Chip (2-1) is the class of the group and a must-use despite drawing the tricky rail post in a massive field. By Midshipman, the six-year-old has knocked heads with some very good ones this campaign, which includes a solid fourth in the Pelican S. at Tampa Bay Downs in February and a respectable sixth in the deep Godolphin Mile (G2) in March. The chestnut was a smart allowance second at Gulfstream in July in his latest showing and has trained well in the interim, as well. 

I feel that Caramel Chip is worthy of being singled in the multi-race plays, as well as a key on top in the verticals. Florent Geroux will pilot the Kentucky-bred and have him stalking the pace while saving ground throughout. 

In a group with a whole lot of early gas, #8 Charter Oak (12-1) is very enticing as a late-running danger for conditioner Kelli Martinez. The Connect chestnut has won five of his last seven coming into the heat, which includes a dominant win at Mountaineer most recently. The five-year-old gelding owns a win and a third from a trio of lifetime outings beneath the Twin Spires, and in 2024 he sports an 11-5-1-3 mark, as well. 

Charter Oak possesses tactical foot but he does his best work late, and if he can stay in touch on the backside, then the Kentucky-bred will be a menacing figure in the stretch with Edgar Morales in the silks.  

#2 Concrete Glory (5-2) dons an impressive 11-7-2-1 line since 2023 and is an obvious contender for conditioner Saffie Joseph. The Florida import cuts back after running one mile last time, and he will be in the mix throughout if he can avoid a pace duel in the early going. After going long most recently, I expect the Bodemeister five-year-old to sit just off the pace and to make his move as the group turns for home. Tyler Gaffalione will be in the stirrups.