Ellis Park Spot Plays for Sunday, July 14

by Joe Kristufek Race 2 – RICH DADDY (#4) (7-2 ML) It’s been a long time between drinks of water (wins) for this veteran performer, 12 starts in fact, but I’m going back to the well once again (shhh, Scott Shapiro!). Two starts back he was forced to close into pedestrian fractions behind a sharp, gate-to-wire winner. Last out he lost five lengths at the start, was in tight between, and was held up on the turn before evening out. Seven furlongs isn’t his best trip, but there is some legitimate sprint speed signed on to this one, likely setting the table for his dangerous late kick. Race 6 – WHOA NELLIE (#3) (2-1 ML) Two starts back over seven furlongs, this sophomore daughter of Orb overcame a slow start and very wide turn for home to win in visually impressive fashion. The follow-up start in the slop didn’t go as well, but she did manage a respectable third behind her talented stablemate. She broke slowly once again, and was caught in a claustrophobic spot before running on late. She posted a bullet work since, is bred to handle the added distance and this isn’t a very strong race for the level. Consider her as a potential single in multi-race wagers. Race 8 – SAIL ON (#3) (5-2 ML) This $475,000 big ticket daughter of Into Mischief ran promising races in her first three starts, but she took her game to a new level when tossing the blinkers aside last out. She finished a distant second, but the winner Dos Vinos is stakes caliber and this gal wasn’t pushed on late while clearly in front of the horse behind her. She posted a trio of useful works between starts and looms squarely as the one to beat here. Race 9 – FRED’STWIRLINCANDY (#2) (3-1 ML) With first-time turfer High Crime expected to take a lot of money, this proven grass horse could offer a little value. His lone win came as a two-year-old, but he’s run several big races on the lawn since, keeping good company all along. His most recent fifth-place performance at Churchill was slightly disappointing, but he’s well drawn inside here with tactical speed, and I see the likely favorite as vulnerable. PHOTO: Ellis Park (c) Coady Photography/Ellis Park