Late Pick 4 play at Kentucky Downs Thursday

Kentucky Downs offers an exciting product, with large and competitive turf races, and the Pick 4s are attractive with a 14% takeout. I like to build tickets around a single when possible, and will focus upon the Late Pick 4 sequence Thursday.

Race 7

#2 American Goddess and #5 Sequin recorded respectable efforts at Saratoga for Wesley Ward and will be used in this tough 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight. #7 Ship’s Creek appears to be building towards a winning effort.  #6 Red Hot Babe has trained forwardly for her debut, and #12 Star Command will be included as well in the contentious affair.

Race 8 – Dueling Grounds Oaks

#9 Harvey’s Lil Goil ran a huge race when edging heavily favored Crystal Cliffs in the June 27 Regret (G3) at Churchill Downs. That marked the turf debut for the gray daughter American Pharoah, and while Harvey’s Lil Goil didn’t run poorly when third in the Alabama (G1) on Saratoga’s main track last out, she’s arguably better on turf. Bill Mott gets her back on her preferred surface, and Harvey’s Lil Goil can remain perfect on the sod with new rider Jose Ortiz.

Race 9 – Dueling Grounds Derby

Grade 3 winner #6 Peace Achieved, fourth to next-out American Turf (G2) winner Fancy Liquor when making is 2020 debut in the Aug. 12 Caesars S. at Indiana Grand, looks poised to move forward in his second start back for Rusty Arnold and picks up the services of Florent Geroux.

Stakes winner #12 Summer Assault and stakes runner-up #11 Bama Breeze are eligible to make an impact, and #9 Kinemos will be running late for Brad Cox.

Race 10

#12 Unitedandresolute possesses good speed and form, and the 2-year-old colt will take some beating for Tom Amoss and Flavien Prat in this 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight. I’ll use #1 Happy American, a high-priced firster that picks up Geroux; and #9 After Five, who debuts for Ward and Irad Ortiz.

50-cent Pick 4 Ticket (races 7-10)

• 2,5,6,7,12 with 9 with 6,9,11,12 with 1,9,12

Total cost = $30