Exotics Plays for the Ack Ack Stakes on September 26

A huge field of 13 will go postward in the $100,000 Ack Ack (G3) at Churchill Downs on Saturday. The feature will be contested at a one-turn mile, and there could be tremendous value in the race that lacks a standout.

#3 Proverb is the horse at a price that I will be using in all of my exotics wagers. Conditioned by Richard Baltas, the chestnut colt has run two of the best races of his lifetime in succession in preparation of the Ack Ack. A big allowance second beneath the Twin Spires two prior, the son of Flatter was a dominant winner against similar at Ellis Park most recently.

The 4-year-old shows four solid morning drills on the course in the interim, and I envision him being a factor inside the final furlong on Saturday at a square number. Adam Beschizza picks up what will be a live mount.

#1 Warrior’s Charge is the class of the field for Brad Cox coming in with a pair of Grade 3 victories this season. The Florida-bred son of Munnings has never run a poor race, and he showed his class when a strong fourth in the Met Mile (G1) earlier this campaign. But, the speedy colt draws the rail in a big field with a lot of pace to his outside, and a slow break could hurt his chances at a relatively small price. He is worth trying to beat in my opinion.

I have liked the improvement shown by #13 Everfast since he was equipped with blinkers by Jack Sisterson. The classic-placed 4-year-old son of Take Charge Indy was a close second in the Blame S. at Churchill Downs in the spring, and he ran fairly well when fifth in the deep Forego (G1) at Saratoga last time out. The bay drilled a bullet 5 panels most recently and will be stalking the pace beneath Julien Leparoux.

The trio of contenders will be the focus of my exotics tickets.

Wagers

• $4 Exacta Key Box: 3 with 1,13 ($16)
• $2 Trifecta Box: 1,3,13 ($12)
• $10-cent Superfecta: 3 with 1,13 with 1,2,3,5,8,9,13 with all ($12)
• $10-cent Superfecta: 1,13 with 3 with 1,2,3,5,8,9,13 with all ($12)