Betting with, and against, Casa Creed in the Turf Sprint Stakes at Kentucky Downs

The Bill Mott-trained #7 Casa Creed (7-2) heads an overflow field of 13 which goes postward in the $1 million Turf Sprint S. (G3) at Kentucky Downs on Saturday.

Casa Creed is the deserving morning-line choice in the deep, six-furlong dash. By Jimmy Creed, the five-year-old roared home to take the Jaipur S. (G1) at Belmont Park two races back, prior to recording a solid third-place result in the Fourstardave H. (G1) at Saratoga most recently. He is the one to beat under Junior Alvarado.

Casa Creed -- With

• $5 exacta key box 7 with 2,3,4 ($30)
• 50-cent trifecta 7 with 2,3,4 with all ($15)

On the flip side, Casa Creed has a robust turn of foot, but the chance of a moderate and uncontested pace being established is more than likely on Saturday. A soft tempo will hurt his chances in a field with other strong closing types in the mix. And the favorite has never run at Kentucky Downs, either, making him a mystery over this lawn.

West Coast invader #3 Bombard (10-1) missed by a neck after leading nearly every step of the way in this race in 2020, and the Richard Mandella pupil looks like the lone speed in a deep cast. The lightly raced eight-year-old wired the Daytona S. (G3) at Santa Anita in May in his latest endeavor, and the dark bay is proven to be more than capable of firing a big shot off any type of layoff, too. Flavien Prat will guide the dangerous win contender at good odds.

#4 Gear Jockey (10-1) broke slowly but rallied well to be a clear third in the Troy S. (G3) at Saratoga most recently. Trained by Rusty Arnold, the four-year-old son of Twirling Candy has shown excellent progression this season, and I believe that he will thrive on the Kentucky Downs surface while making his local debut. The tactical four-year-old will have Jose Lezcano in the seat.

Joe Sharp’s #2 Fast Boat (10-1) has risen to be among the best turf sprinters in the country as of late. The son of City Zip bagged Grade 2 races in two of his last three assignments, and the bay was also a winner in his lone prior run on this surface. If the Kentucky-bred can stay in touch early, he will be a menacing figure closing from off the pace beneath Joel Rosario.

Casa Creed -- Against

• $20 win and place #3 Bombard ($40)
• $3 exacta box 2,3,4 ($18)
• 50-cent trifecta 3 with 2,4,7 with all ($15)