Going against Tejano Twist in the Lively Shively Stakes

A solid field of eight juveniles will go postward in Saturday’s $200,000 Lively Shively S. at Churchill Downs. The 6 1/2-furlong dirt dash is led by #5 Tejano Twist (7-5), who was second in the Kip Deville S. two back prior to dominating allowance foes at Keeneland last time out.

Trained by Bret Calhoun, the chestnut has shown big improvement since adding blinkers in June, especially so in his last pair of attempts. The son of Practical Joke has never been better, and the gelding shows a trio of useful morning drills on the course in advance of Saturday. But he is far from a sure thing despite his current form surge.

The March foal is unplaced from two prior outings beneath the Twin Spires, the lone occasions that the Tom Durant homebred has finished out of the money in his seven-race career. And the youngster also faces numerous intriguing contenders on Saturday that have potentially more room for improvement than he possesses. I would not be surprised if the talented Tejano Twist wins the race, but at a short price, I believe that he is worth trying to beat in the vertical and horizontal wagers.

Among the horses that could move forward is #7 Barber Road (8-1), who has been impressive in two outings since having blinkers added for Ortiz. The Race Day gray steps up the class ladder in this dash, but he is proven on the strip and also has a great post slot to track the speed from the start.

Second morning-line choice #3 Chattalot (7-2) and recent allowance third #2 Cool Papa G (5-1), both from the Asmussen shedrow, have appeal. And recent maiden victor #6 Ignitis (8-1), who has performed well against some excellent two-year-olds this campaign, can also get it done in the more than capable field. 

Tejano Twist will be a popular single in the multi-race wagers, as the colt should be, but I will take the opposite approach and spread deep in the sprint while looking for my single elsewhere in my sequence. And below is how I will be attacking the race itself.

Lively Shively Wagers

• $10 win and place #7 Barber Road ($20)
• $1 exacta box 2,3,6,7 ($12)
• 10-cent superfecta box 2,3,5,6,7 ($12)