How to bet, With, and Against, Set Piece in the River City Handicap

An overflow field of 14 has been entered for Sunday’s $300,000 River City H. (G3) at Churchill Downs. The finale on a fine day of racing attracted a talented cast of turf performers, led by Juddmonte homebred #11 Set Piece (2-1) in the 1 1/8-mile contest.

Trained by Brad Cox, the six-year-old is a stout late runner who has compiled a 4-for-6 mark beneath the Twin Spires in his lifetime. By powerful sire Dansili, the dark bay comes off of a good try when a close fourth in the Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) most recently and will try his hand at nine panels on Sunday in a field where he fits quite well in.

The obvious one to beat is 11-for-24 lifetime, and with his affinity for the local lawn, the British-bred will be the one to hold off inside the final furlong on this occasion with regular pilot Florent Geroux taking the reins.

If there is a knock on the morning-line choice, however, it is that he is essentially a one-run closer who is at the mercy of the pace in front of him on most occasions.

Grade 1 victor #5 In Love (7-2) finished a smart second in a tough allowance race last time out at Keeneland and looks to be rounding back into his best form for Paulo Lobo. The Agnes Gold six-year-old really hit his stride last season and has the back class to be a menacing figure from off the pace in this tilt with his top performance.

In Love possesses more tactical foot than the morning-line choice owns, and I expect the Brazilian-bred to get the jump on that one turning for home with Gerardo Corrales taking the reins. The bay could peak in his third start off the shelf, too.

For the lower rungs of the exotics, I will include #7 Pixelate (10-1), #8 Max K. O. (8-1), #9 Street Ready (8-1), and #12 Field Pass (10-1).

Set Piece – With

• $1 superfecta 11 with 5 with 7,8,9,12 with all ($36)
• 50-cent superfecta 11 with 7,8,9,12 with 5 with all ($18)

Set Piece – Against

• $20 win #5 In Love ($20)
• $2 exacta key box 5 with 7,8,9,11,12 ($20)
• 50-cent superfecta 5 with 11 with 7,8,9,12 with all ($18)