Churchill Downs: Spot plays for the "Stars of Tomorrow" program

The Street Sense S. and Rags to Riches S. might be the feature events on Sunday’s “Stars of Tomorrow” program at Churchill Downs, but the card is stacked from top to bottom with competitive races.

The first three of the afternoon are particularly enticing. Let’s play the opening events on a $100 budget, with a win bet, two exactas, a double, and a Pick 3.

Race 1: $150,000 maiden claiming (1 mile, 1 p.m. ET)

#4 Big Union (7-2) has already hit the board a couple times against maiden special weight company on turf. The switch in surface and drop in class should suit Big Union just fine. As a son of Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Union Rags, out of a mare by talented sprinter/miler Munnings, Big Union is bred to excel on dirt.

Even better, trainer Brad Cox strikes at a 29% rate with horses dropping from maiden special weight to maiden claiming company.

Let’s box Big Union in the exacta with #9 Bird Ruler (5-2), a son of Empire Maker debuting for trainer Norm Casse. Tyler Gaffalione (a 21% winner at Churchill Downs) has the mount on Bird Ruler, and Casse wins at a 20% rate with first-time starters in maiden claiming races.

We’ll also use Big Union and Bird Ruler to kick off a Pick 3.

$10 exacta box: 4,9 ($20)
$5 Pick 3: 4,9 with 2 with 5,8 ($20)

Race 2: Maiden special weight (7 furlongs, 1:30 p.m. ET)

#2 Shastaloo (3-1) owns one of the best Brisnet Speed ratings in Sunday’s field. She posted an 81 when she finished in her debut sprinting 7 furlongs at Ellis Park.

Cox wins at a lofty 27% rate with second-time starters, and jockey Florent Geroux (a 27% winner when he teams up with Cox) has the mount.

With her tactical speed and experience at 7 furlongs, Shastaloo is worth a win wager and a single in the Pick 3. We’ll also single her to start a double.

$20 to win on #2 Shastaloo
$10 double: 2 with 5,8 ($20)

Race 3: Maiden special weight (7 furlongs, 2 p.m. ET)

The three highest Brisnet Speed ratings in this race belong to #5 Princess Lea (3-1), who threw down figures of 74, 78, and 74 in her first three starts. Princess Lea has kept good company for trainer Joe Sharp (a 21% winner at Churchill Downs) and looms as the filly to beat.

However, #8 Wild Combo (5-2) could put up a fight. Sold for $360,000 as a weanling, the daughter of leading sire Into Mischief ran well to finish second over Sunday’s track and distance Sept. 23, when she was beaten only by Rags to Riches S. entrant Orsetto.

If Wild Combo improves second time out for trainer Steve Asmussen, she can give Princess Lea a fight.

$15 exacta box: 5,8 ($20)

Good luck!