Best Exotics Race for Churchill Downs on Nov. 12

The 24th renewal of the Claiming Crown will be hosted by Churchill Downs for the first time on Saturday. Eight races, each with six-figure purses, will headline the 11-race card, but it’s a contest preceding those events that has me especially interested. I will try to build my bankroll up early in the card, with a focus on Race 3, a one-mile maiden special weight tilt on the dirt for juvenile fillies.

Kenny McPeek’s #4 Ghostly Girl (7-2) went close on debut when missing by a neck beneath the Twin Spires, prior to finishing a lackluster fifth while facing similar types at Keeneland last out. By Shaman Ghost, the $100,000 yearling purchase shows a pair of promising morning drills in the interim and I am expecting a major move forward from her on Saturday.

Ghostly Girl has flashed decent positional speed in both of her efforts to date, and the March foal is bred to handle the move to one-mile with relative ease, as well. The gray retains the services of Brian Hernandez Jr. and rates as my key horse in the heat.

The Brad Cox-trained #10 Inside Girl (6-1) could be any kind while making her debut for an always dangerous outfit. Purchased for $200,000 as a yearling, the Midnight Lute filly has not missed a morning workout dating back to August and figures to be ready to roll at first asking, especially with go-to pilot Florent Geroux in the stirrups.

#12 Undoubtedly (12-1) will have to be very good to overcome the trip from the widest post for conditioner Bill Mott, who is a capable first-out conditioner. The $500,000 daughter of Blame is cut out to be better with seasoning and distance, but she’s kin to a pair of smart stakes winners and could be a classy miss. I really like that Luis Saez will be in the silks.

I’ll also dabble with Rusty Arnold’s #6 Her Ladyship (12-1) who will make her second career start. Bay daughter of Bernardini didn’t show a whole lot in her initial offering at Keeneland, but this outfit is much better second time out and improvement is fully expected. In a field lacking an abundance of class, I feel that the Kentucky-bred can rally for a share at a big number under Martin Garcia.

Race 3 Exotics Wagers

• $20 exacta 4 with 10 ($20)
• 50-cent trifecta 4 with 6,10,12 with all ($15)
• 50-cent trifecta 6,10,12 with 4 with all ($15)
• 40-cent superfecta 4,10 with 4,10 with 6,12 with all ($14.40)