Kentucky Downs has become America’s ultimate boutique meet of thoroughbreds. Seven (rain-interrupted) days of turf-only racing on an undulating, 1 5/16-mile course that sits just over the Tennessee line. It’s a former dueling grounds (legal in the 1800s, though not in the Volunteer State) in the shadow of Interstate 65, fittingly in between Franklin, Ky., and Louisville. Kentucky Downs closes its 2022 meet Wednesday with 12 races loaded with large fields going postward. Included are three stakes totaling $1.3 million, featuring ang number of contenders at various prices in horse racing odds.
Pick 3 And-Or Pick 4 Could Be Worth The Gamble
In a sequence starting with Race No. 9, the $500,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile Stakes (post time 5:57 p.m. ET, TVG) highlights the 2-year-olds. Michael Maker, the meet’s leading trainer (wins and starters), has the morning-line favorite when betting online in Really Good (5-2). The Hard Spun colt makes his second start, breaking his maiden at 6-1 with a superior speed figure, He’s not the only good frosh in here. Castleknock (9-2) could wire the field, doing the same at Del Mar in his first race on turf. Laver (8-1) had a rough trip in his debut, flying late to finish second.
Wednesday’s 10th race is the $400,000 Gun Runner Stakes at a mile with the 3-year-olds. American Mayhem (4-1) drew post position No. 12 in his stakes debut, but has tactical speed to map out a good trip under Gabriel Saez. Stitched (7-2) is 5-for-8 lifetime, that after winning three straight races, the last two in listed stakes. If the race falls apart, St Anthony (12-1) could have a say at a price. Neil Drysdale wheels the gelding back in 11 days. after losing by 3¼ lengths in the Grade II Del Mar Derby.
The 11th race is the $400,000 Dreamer Stakes for fillies and mares (3-years-old and older) at a mile and 70 yards. Alms (7-2) gets the services of Jose Ortiz, that after missing a neck in a stake at Colonial Downs, He’s winless (0-for-4) at the distance. Rocking Redhead (9-2) exits the Grade II Yellow Ribbon (Del Mar),,making her third start in the form cycle for rainer George Papaprodromou. There’s an intriguing longshot is Petricor, returning to a more favorable distance after fading at Saratoga’s mile-and-a-half. Trainer Bill Mott enlists Tyler Gaffalione
If the Pick 4 is on the table, Race No. 12 features maiden 2-year-old fillies at a mile. Ten of the 12 horses are making their second starts, and two of them are named Navy Goat (6-1) and Destine to Race (12-1). Navy Goat gets top jock Joel Rosario, having finishing third while racing wide (at 3-5) last out. Destine to Race came from last, made a sweeping move to the lead at the top of the stretch, then settled for second (by 3½ lengths) at 9-5 to a horse who had a much shorter route.
Post time for that 12th-race finale is 7:39 p.m. ET.
Check the racebook for Pick 3 and Pick 4 will pays prior to Races 11 and 12.
