Churchill Downs Trip Notes and Horses to Watch (Oct. 27-Nov. 3)

The following are trip notes for horses who had sharp efforts or tough trips at Churchill Downs during the first six racing days of the fall meet from Sunday, October 27 through Sunday, November 3, and who figure to improve or run big in their next starts. Add these runners to your horses to watch list, and bet them back next time if they land in a reasonable spot at Churchill Downs, or elsewhere. All of them have good chances to perform well, outrun their odds, and/or win their subsequent starts.

AMBASSADOR LUNA: Loved the local turf sprint layout, blasting clear in the stretch to a big win. Can climb a level and win again if able to find a spot before the end of the meet.

BROTHER AARON: Pressed a fast pace in first start off a nine-month layoff, beat the challenger and outlasted the speedy 3-2 favorite en route to second-place finish behind a closing winner who took advantage of the pace. Ready to win second off the layoff.

EASY SHOT: Got squeezed back to last in return race off a seven-month layoff, but closed from last to second in a solid effort behind only the 3-5 favorite and just needs a clean start.

FLASH OF SILVER: First starter broke slow when wanting to show speed and then rushed up to press the pace, dropped back to seventh, and then came again and just missed the win by a neck and a head in a third. Won't remain a maiden for long.

HINTON: Battled it out up front and never got a breather on the pace in tough assignment first time back from a seven-month layoff. Finished second, nearly eight lengths clear of third, and looks good in return from the sidelines.

NEVER FORGET: Settled for second to the favorite in career debut but had a brutal trip and was steadied, blocked, bothered, and probably best that day. Won't remain a maiden much longer.

ONE FOR RICHIE: Got hooked in a four-length-gap speed duel and finished an unlucky third, second via DQ, when beaten just a neck and a head. Don't overlook.

RECKLESSNESS: Came in with underrated form from Arlington for trainer Ingrid Mason and took the dirt with a good effort for second behind a sharp-looking Asmussen first-out winner. Don't overlook.

SILVER PROSPECTOR: Dueled for the lead into the stretch fighting off multiple challengers on a solid mile pace and finally settled for third behind a pair of perfect-trip stalkers. Remains a threat up at the stakes level.

SPEEDY VANESSA: First starter broke near the back in 6F sprint prep career debut, but then was the only horse in the race to make a dent from off the pace to pass seven horses and get up for a distant third. Likely to stretch out and get the job done.

SWEET CARLI: Set a pressured pace and was the only speed horse still around at the finish when second in a race where closers finished 1-3-4.

U R NOT SO BAD: Winner from Indiana got hooked in a blazing :21.2 duel for the lead and disposed of the challenger and nearly held on all the way to win until getting nipped a head at the wire. Remains in fine form at present.

VIVID VERSE: Needed a race off a six-month layoff for Joe Sharp and didn't get a great five-furlong turf sprint pace to chase and could only close for fourth. Too early to give up.

WHIMSICAL MUSE: Got off to a bad start, breaking last then making a middle move to get back into the fray until fading due to the efforts behind a moderate pace that favored the front runners.