Kentucky Downs Selections for Sunday, September 8

The Sunday forecast calls for sunny skies and a high of 87 degrees. With the top pick listed first, “A” horses are in order or preference. Remember, the takeout on Pick 4 and Pick 5 wagers at Kentucky Downs is only 14%, so take advantage! 1ST RACE – Pick 5 starts here Two starts back over the Churchill turf, Tell Your Daddy (#1) (5-1) made a bold middle move into a slow pace and finished second behind the gate-to-wire winner. I’m not going to hold the recent dirt start against him. Chewing Gum (#11) (3-1) was scratched from the opening day card, but the extra time can only help. He’s set to make his third start in five weeks. Hung wide at every call in his two-turn debut last out, he closed on the wrong lead until late stretch, but still managed to be third. He has some upside. A – 1, 11 B – 4, 15 C – 6, 7, 9 2ND RACE – Pick 4 starts here Turf-bred on the dam’s side, Alshad (#11) (8-1) was bonkers prior to the start of his debut, yet he stormed home to finish third. Imagine what he can do if he calms down a bit? In his second career start last out, Wild Union (#1) (7-2) was beaten only a nose by Fenwick Station, who returned to grab the place spot in the Gainesway Farm Juvenile. It’s tough to dismiss the team. A – 11, 1 B – 2, 8, 9, 15, 12 C – 3, 4, 6, 10, 13 3RD RACE A previous winner at Kentucky Downs, Peru (#6) (4-1) ran better than it looks last out. Too far back on the turn for home, she extended her stride late, but simply had too much to do. A similar effort against this softer crew makes her the one to beat in my eyes. Madame Milan (#11) (10-1) has shown flashes of talent, and the timing is right for her to put it all together. She closed strongly to finish third last out in a race she expected to need and should be even tighter for this. A – 6, 11 B – 4, 3, 1, 10, 12 4TH RACE Witez (#4) (7-2) and Sista of War (#5) (8-1) both finished behind eventual stakes winner Jezebel’s Kitten in their recent maiden jaunt over the Ellis turf. The former ran a slightly better, but the latter should improve with a race of experience under her belt. A – 4, 5 B – 2, 11, 12 C – 3, 6, 7, 13, 14 5TH RACE The speedy Tiger Blood (#2) (9-5) is perfect from four career starts on grass, and he’s neve been better than he is now. He invades off a pair of dominating performances at Gulfstream and will be a short price. Perhaps the main threat is Fast Boat (#1) (4-1). He’s sprinted to impressive victories over the turf at Fair Grounds and Churchill in recent months and swings back off a stakes third at Ellis. A – 2, 1 B – 6, 4 C – 7, 10, 3, 12, 8 6TH RACE – Pick 5 starts here Arabella Bella (#8) (3-1) just missed winning here on Thursday, and she was probably best. A versatile performer, she will have no problem with the added distance and she appears to be as good as any here, if she actually runs on super short rest. A model of consistency on the lawn, Cubs Win (#5) (4-1) has won three of her last four starts and there’s no reason to think she won’t run another big race today. Since being claimed for just $8,000 one year ago, the California invader Zuzanna (#6) (6-1) has improved massively. Her most recent start was a disappointment, but she did win three of four prior to that and that form is tough to ignore. A – 8, 5, 6 B – 2, 4 C – 3, 9 7TH RACE – Pick 4 starts here Claimed for $50,000 out of a third place run at Churchill, Dontblamerocket (#4) (7-2) returned to win a high-priced starter at Saratoga. He’s lit the tote in eight of his last nine turf starts, and if he runs his race today, the rest of these may be forced to compete for minor awards. The main threat appears to be Patriot Drive (#2) (9-2), who rattled off three consecutive turf wins against $25,000 claimers in New York in advance to a late closing second place run on the rise. Trainer Mike Maker obviously claimed him with this spot in mind. A – 4 B – 2 C – 11, 9, 7, 12 8TH RACE The runner-up in consecutive stakes at Arlington, Princesa Carolina (#7) (5-2) is as good as any in what looks to be a wide-open race. She’s versatile and also possesses some finishing punch. Wildlife (#8) (9-2) is loaded with natural talent and she’s still learning how to harness it. A deep closer with a serious late kick, she should absolutely relish the long stretch. Repatriated Gem (#10) (8-1) held her own against older allowance foes in a pair of recent turf runs in New York. She’s lightly raced and still has some upside. A – 7, 8, 10 B – 6, 1, 4 C – 3 9TH RACE The classy Social Paranoia (#1) (2-1) has hit the board in four graded stakes, including the Belmont Derby (G1). He’s a bit of a standout on paper, but the one for 10 career record is of slight concern. The question is, if not him, then who? A – 1 B – 5, 3, 6 C – 2, 7 10TH RACE Beaten only two lengths at 24-1, Lady Mamba (#15) (9-2) outperformed her odds in the Ellis Park Turf last out. The last time she sprinted, she won, albeit on dirt. She appears on edge for this and the trip should suit her well. When an Ian Wilkes trainee wins on debut, chances are they’re pretty good. In and “off the turf” dirt sprint, Bentley’s Dream (#1) (3-1) did exactly that, but then she disappeared for more than eight months. She just missed in her return run dashing on the grass and appears to be as good as any in here. Even Beat (#3) (6-1) has been running in tough luck. She’ll run her race, and it just might be good enough. A – 15, 1, 3 B – 2, 10 C – 4, 7, 8 PHOTO: Kentucky Downs (c) Coady Photography/Kentucky Downs