Kentucky Downs Scouting Report for Sept. 9

Kentucky Downs Scouting Report for Thursday, September 9, 2021

Despite firm going and two paths of fresh grass with the temporary rail being moved from 40-to-17 feet out, outside stalkers and closers dominated the Wednesday card at Kentucky Downs. Only Franklin lover Snapper Sinclair, who now has three wins and a second from four local starts, scored in gate-to-wire fashion.

With one win from eight mounts, the Joel Ro$ario train was slowed just a bit. Halfway through the meet, Ro$ario leads all jockeys with 11 wins from 27 tries. Julien Leparoux, who scored a riding double on Wednesday, is second in the standings (4-for-22). Last year’s titlist, Tyler Gaffalione, is just 1-for-26 so far, but he’s hit the board on 10 other occasions.

Irad Ortiz Jr., who had two wins on Wednesday, will be a strong presence the rest of the meet. Fresh off his Saratoga riding title, Luis Saez joined the Kentucky Downs colony on Wednesday and was winless from four mounts.

Ten different trainers won races on Wednesday, and halfway through the meet, Joe Sharp, Steve Asmussen and Brad Cox are tied at the top with three wins apiece.

1^st Race – Pick Five starts here

Stretched out on grass in her second career start, #4 Forgot Password finished a solid second against $30K maiden claimers. She steps up in price, but this doesn’t appear to be the strongest race for the level, and jockey Adam Beschizza seems to have a good feel for the course.

A – 4, 1a

B – 6, 9

C – 2, 3, 1

---

2^nd Race – Pick Four starts here

In her turf debut off a three-month layoff last out, #12 Sweet Spin was only beaten three lengths. She stretches out off that needed race with blinkers on, and the pedigree suggests she should prefer the added distance.

A – 2, 9, 11, 12

B – 5

C – 1, 1a, 6

---

3^rd Race

#6 Big Agenda scored a game win over a mile at this level here last year. We haven’t seen him since January, but he appears ready to fire fresh off a series of stamina building drills.

A – 6

B – 2, 3, 4, 7

C – 1, 2, 8, 9

---

4^th Race 

#4 A. K. Safari is winless from 12 career starts on turf, but he taking a deceivingly sizable drop here, and his recent grass form fits favorably here.

A – 4, 6

B – 3, 5, 11, 14

C – 1, 7, 9, 10, 12, 15

---

5^th Race – Pick Four starts here

#10 Mud Pie broke his maiden in a public workout here last year. He relishes a distance of ground and jockey Julien Leparoux knows him well. He should be ready to peak in third start of the form cycle.

A – 4, 7, 10

B – 5, 9

C – 2

---

6^th Race

#8 Commanders Palace had shown plenty of promise as a turf router in advance of her first-level allowance start at Ellis on July 25. She made the lead that day, but faltered badly off the turn. Not sure what happened there, but Team Casse shows confidence by running her right back at the same level.

A – 3, 5, 6, 8

B – 9

C – 2, 4, 1, 1a, 11

---

7^th Race – Pick Five starts here

#7 Jungle Juice finished fourth under these same conditions here last year, but she enters this assignment in even better form. She’s well drawn outside, and should be in position to call the shots.

A – 7

B – 2, 3, 5

C – 1, 6

---

8^th Race – Pick Four starts here

#1 Awesome Saturday ran better than it looks in a turf sprint off the bench two back and his form has been darkened by recent troubled run over dirt. He’s run some big races on turf, appears to be cycling back into form, and he should relish today's trip.  

A – 1

B – 2, 4, 5

C – 6, 7, 8, 9

---

9^th Race

European import #3 Masseto has held her own against big fields of group company in recent starts. Her class and experience should serve her very well against this group.

A – 3, 5

B – 6, 10

C – 7, 9

---

10^th Race

#3 Alta's Award endured huge trouble on turf two starts back, and she won in a public workout last out on dirt. Without warning, she has seemingly taken her game to a new level, and the price should be right today.

A – 3

B – 4, 7, 9, 11

C – 10, 12

---

11^th Race

With #3 Castle Leoch and #11 Admiral Halsey, trainer Wesley Ward appears to have this race on lockdown. I’ll give the edge to the former, who employs Joel Ro$ario and disposes of the blinkers off a troubled run at Saratoga.

A – 3, 11, 15

B – 9

C – 8, 10

Don’t forget to opt in to the $12,000 Kentucky Downs Place Jackpot offer at Twinspires.com or the Twin Spires APP!