Ellis Park Spot Plays for Sunday, July 7

By Joe Kristufek Race 2 -- #2 One for Richie (8-1 ML) It took this 3-year-old gelded son of Congrats nine tries to break his maiden, but he did look good doing it last time out at Churchill. The horse who finished second behind him stepped up into the maiden special weight ranks to score in his very next out, and this guy has been entered and scratched a couple of times since. He finds the perfect post in this starter allowance sprint and appears to be sitting on go off a June 24 bullet work. If Chantal Sutherland can get him to rate just off an expected early duel, his chances will improve. Race 4 -- #4 Sarcosa (2-1 ML) Second best behind the 3/5 chalk Sweet Diane (who was scratched from Friday night’s Iowa Oaks) last out at Churchill, this 4-year-old daughter of Bernardini returns to the scene of her first and only victory. She ran by far the fastest race of her life that day, displaying an apparent affinity for the racetrack. I’m against some of the other likely favorites here, so this gal looks like a potential “single” candidate. Race 7 -- #6 Golden Notion (5-2 ML) Brad Cox and Florent Geroux are going to win a TON of races as a team at the Ellis Park stand and this 3-year-old son of Goldencents looks like a bit of a standout here. He pressed a fast pace off the bench before succumbing late behind the very talented Super Comet, who has since returned to win again. There’s not much speed signed on here and this guy should relish the 1 ½ turn mile. Zapper Van Winkle and Gentle Ruler, second and fourth respectively behind the speedy Julius last out at Churchill, could pose a threat at a square price. Race 8 -- #1 Smart Shot (5-2 ML) This 4-year-old daughter of Skipshot appears to be coming into her own for “Rusty” Arnold. She scored a big win off the bench two back, and returned to just miss behind the classy Mom’s On Strike in the Mint Julep (G3) at Churchill. She lost seven lengths when pinched out at the start, made a middle move into a pedestrian pace, and still managed to sustain her bid. Her main Elllis Park Turf foe Sensitive isn’t exactly a win machine and Stave may be a notch below that pair Race 9 -- #1 Westernopportunity (7-2 ML) This four-year-old ridgling by the relatively unknown turf sire Keep Up has had a tough time staying on the track. He did run two tremendous turf races last spring at Churchill, and now returns off a forward series of drills. He fits like a glove under the $40,000 claiming (nw2) condition, is well drawn on the rail with rateable speed, and top jock Corey Lanerie has been lured to the saddle. Photo: Ellis Park by Coady Photography