Holland's North American Racing Plays for Oct. 28

Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park and Parx Racing are on display in handicapper Tim Holland's racing plays for Oct. 28th!

Churchill Downs

Race 2

Maidens going 6 furlongs include #5 Beaver Creek (6-1), who comes off a well-beaten fifth place finish in his debut at Keeneland earlier this month. Son of Speightstown is out of Dream Empress, who finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and is trained by Dallas Stewart, whose runners usually improve with racing experience. Gelding can be running from off the pace under Gaffalione, who has won with one of his last five rides for the barn.

Race 8

Another second-time starter from the Stewart barn is #6 Motown Music (15-1), a son of Quality Road and a half-brother to Cigar Mile (G1) runner-up True Timber. Gelding made some progress when fourth in his debut at Keeneland and Stewart wins with 11% of his runners in maiden claiming events. $250K yearling purchase can show more and also gets Gaffalione in the saddle.

Race 9

#7 Shimmering (12-1) likely found the distance too short when unplaced in the Hilltop S. over one mile at Pimlico early this month in her first North American start for trainer Motion. Daughter of good European sire Lope De Vega was thought enough of to make a start in the English One Thousand Guineas (G1), and Motion wins with 16% of his runners second time for his barn. Chestnut showed some early foot in Europe and can be forwardly placed from the start with Vargas riding.

Gulfstream Park

Race 6

Mark Casse wins with 17% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days and saddles #1 Causingahullbaloo (8-1), who has not been seen since showing little in her debut at Gulfstream in mid-July. She has been working well since her first outing for Casse, who wins with 16% of his second-time starters, and the daughter of Malibu Moon is out of Successful Song, who finished second in the Molly Pitcher (G2). Filly may be aggressively ridden early breaking from the rail with Jaramillo in the irons.

Parx Racing

Race 8

Lasix is added to #4 Jimmy the Kid (6-1) off an unplaced effort over 6 furlongs on a muddy surface in his debut at Saratoga in August. Son of Runhappy is a half-brother to two winners and posted a solid 4-furlong work in :47 2/5 here two weeks ago for trainer Vega, who wins with 15% of his second-time starters. Dark bay cost $80K earlier this year and improvement is likely with Pennington taking the mount.