BetAmerica’s horse racing pick of the day: Sept. 15, Kentucky Downs

Weekday picks and plays for Thoroughbred racing.

Tuesday, Sept. 15

Kentucky Downs, Race 6: $50,000 maiden claiming (7 furlongs on turf, 3:55 p.m. ET)

#6 Copper King (2-1) is the morning-line favorite on the drop in class out of maiden special weight company, but this half-brother to 2009 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mine That Bird is winless in 13 starts.

Copper King’s form has slipped in recent starts, with a pair of off-the-board efforts in his last two runs, and the switch to turf could be tricky, because his pedigree leans toward dirt.

I’ll oppose Copper King with first-time starter #8 Last City (9-2). A son of City Zip (whose top grass runners include Breeders’ Cup winners Dayatthespa and Catch a Glimpse), Last City sold for $300,000 as a yearling and is a half-sibling to a pair of stakes winners.

Last City has posted a series of fast workouts in preparation for his debut, culminating with 5 furlongs in a bullet 1:00 1/5 from the Gulfstream Park starting gate. With Kentucky Downs’ leading rider Tyler Gaffalione (8-for-31) in the saddle, Last City can spring a mild upset in his first start.

$20 to win on #8 Last City

Good luck!