Stakes Spot Plays for Churchill Downs on September 23

A quartet of stakes tussles for sophomores highlights the fine Saturday card at Churchill Downs on. The Dogwood S. (G3) is the feature, but I will focus on the trio of black-type events on the undercard for this piece. 

Race 7 – Bourbon Trail S. 

A total of seven three-year-olds will travel 1 3/16 miles in the initial stakes race of the evening. Conditioner Brad Cox has a top duo for the event, and I will be using #1 Manciata d’Oro (4-1) on top in my plays. By Medaglia d’Oro, the unbeaten colt is two-for-two on the dirt and came home swiftly in an allowance score at Indiana in his latest performance. The $400,000 yearling buy posted a sharp half-mile in the interim, and he will be saving ground throughout with Emanuel Esquivel retaining the ride. 

Race 8 – Harrods Creek S. 

The seven furlong dash for sophomores attracted a field of seven in what appears to be a competitive group. Mark Casse’s #4 Bouncer (5-1) sports a 4-3-1-0 mark this season and I will give the razor-sharp Florida-bred the slight nod in the tilt. Adios Charlie gelding owns good early speed and also gives the impression of a runner who might want to go farther, although seven panels seems ideal while facing this crew. The bay has won from well off the pace in the past, as well, and it’s that versatility that I believe will make him tough to upend with Ricardo Santana, Jr. in the stirrups. 

#6 Everso Mischievous (2-1) is two heads shy of being unbeaten from four career outings for trainer Brad Cox. The son of Into Mischief comes off of an allowance victory at Saratoga and seems ready to fire a big one on Saturday with four solid morning moves in the interim. Christian Torres will be in the irons. 

Race 9 – Seneca Overnight S. 

Eight ladies will travel 1 1/16 miles on the dirt in the affair, which is led by Black-Eyed Susan S. (G2) heroine #1 Taxed (5-2). Randy More pupil is the class of the field and can surely win this contest, but I will take a shot with one of her foes on this occasion. 

#4 Poblano (3-1) broke her maiden in her seasonal debut last time out and did so in a way that was very impressive to me. Brendan Walsh trainee flashed potential as a youngster with a pair of runner-up performances at two, and she returned in August with a dominant tally at Ellis Park to commence 2023. Godolphin homebred was quick early and powerful late in that triumph, and she could be a nice prospect going forward. Francisco Arrieta will be in the silks once again.