Debutante favorite the key in Saturday's Single 6 Jackpot force out at Churchill Downs
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© Coady Photography
There will be a mandatory force out of the Single 6 Jackpot on Churchill Downs' closing day Saturday, hopefully with a significant carryover and fresh money if there are no single winning tickets during Friday's sequence. The scheduled post time for the first leg, Race 7, is 3:50 p.m. (EDT).
Enjoy FREE Brisnet Premium Past Performances for the entire Saturday card here.
Here's a pre-scratch look at how I'll play:
Race 7 -- Allowance
#4 RY'S THE GUY (9-2) dominated maiden foes in the slop last time and seems to be on the upswing. His dam won the 1000 Guineas (G1) and has reared several grass stakes winners, so this surface switch might prove agreeable to him. #8 BATTLE OF MEMPHIS (4-1) rebounded with a better effort in late May, finishing a clear second at this level. Fade two back currently an outlier on his past performances. #10 SALVATOR MUNDI (10-1) narrowly missed winning the Bourbon (G3) last fall and was likely out of his element when his comeback run earlier this month was switched to a sloppy main track due to rain. Better expected here. #12 SPEED GUN (12-1) has captured both outings wire-to-wire, and connections held on to him after bringing him back in an N2L claimer off a 15+ month layoff. Fits against these.
Race 8 -- $120,000 Kelly's Landing
The two class horses in the field are #1 UNCONTESTED (7-2) and #8 WARRIOR'S CLUB (5-2). The former debuts for Tom Amoss here and won from slightly off the pace in his lone victory under the Spires, but in general is more of a need-the-lead type. Warrior's Club only 1-for-13 at the Downs, but has generally faced more imposing fields and was a below-par sixth in the Churchill Downs (G1) last time.
Race 9 -- Allowance
This might prove too short a trip for morning line favorite Om, so we'll instead go with a longer-priced trio. #1 ANGASTON (12-1) has endured some troubled starts of late, but generally runs well over this course and should threaten if everything goes cleanly. #2 UNDRAFTED's (7-2) only "bad" run over this course was in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) last time when he finished fourth, but was only a head and neck from earning runner-up honors. Classy veteran has won here the last two times Lanerie was in the saddle. Stakes-winning #7 DONE DEAL (8-1) has fired very fresh over this course in the past and seemingly better then downturn in form last fall would suggest.
Race 10 -- $125,000 Debutante
#7 MAGIC DANCE (8-5) will be a popular single in this sequence off a blowout debut win over next-out winner Josie. Figures more like an even-money or odds-on choice and will use accordingly.
Race 11 -- Bashford Manor (G3)
In contrast, this juvenile male stakes race seems more wide open. #1 PHANTOM BOSS (9-5) beat Cal-breds to graduate last time, but before that was a neck behind eventual Tremont winner Fore Left in an open maiden special at Santa Anita. The maiden #2 SNELL YEAH (8-1) showed improvement second out and could get first run if the speed begins to crumble. #4 ROOKIE SALSA (5-1) won the $125,000 Kentucky Juvenile on Derby week, then ran against the grain of the track when a distant third in the Tremont to the aforementioned Fore Left. #10 ROWDY YATES (7-2) appeared to have more to give when graduating on debut geared down for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Race 12 -- Maiden
#2 MY AMERICA (12-1) faded late in his turf debut last September after two scheduled grass appearances were washed out. This extremely well-bred colt is out of a half-sister to European star filly Peeping Fawn, and hails from the family of Broodmares of the Year Better Than Honour and Best in Show. Probably capable of better. First-time starter #3 MUSICIAN (12-1) has a strong trainer/jockey combo of Walsh/Gaffalione in his corner. Dam has produced grass stakes winners Euphony and Strike Again, as well as Grade 3-placed Tequila Joe. All won first time out. #5 ALFONS WALDE (4-1) showed noticeable improvement in his second stateside appearance and is a logical threat off that effort.
Here's the 20-cent ticket:
4,8,10,12 with 1,8 with 1,2,7 with 7 with 1,2,4,10 with 2,3,5 = $57.60
Good luck!
PHOTO: Magic Dance (c) Coady Photography/Churchill Downs
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