Bettors advised to keep their powder dry for later in card

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Like an effective stretch runner, a 10-race Sunday card at Churchill Downs starts slowly but finishes with energy.

Six-horse fields in the first three races aren’t likely to inspire many to forsake other plans for a leisurely Sunday noontime, but things get better as the day unfolds, peaking with a pair of allowances that not only drew sizable fields but also some pretty fair talent.

Most of the horses in an oversubscribed lineup in the ninth race have earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 90 or better, and they should make for an entertaining seven furlongs of competition. Great Stuff, having barely missed making it through this second allowance condition in his last start, is one of a handful of favorites in the $54,000 race, along with Royal Saint, Wabel, and Blaze’n Prospector.

The preceding race, the eighth, is a $52,000, first-level sprint in which Ivy Bell and High Heeled Girl will vie for favoritism in a field of 10 fillies and mares.

Both allowances are part of a Single Six sequence that runs from races 5 through 10. First post is 12:45 p.m. Eastern, with the Single Six starting at 2:43. The carryover in the 20-cent Single Six jackpot was on track to exceed the $400,000 mark by Sunday if it were not taken down beforehand by a solo perfect ticket.

After Sunday, Churchill goes dark for three days before another four-day race week starts with a twilight Thursday program.

KEY CONTENDERS (race 9)

Great Stuff, by Quality Road

Last 3 Beyers: 92-90-77

◗ After finishing second to a pair of stakes-quality sprinters in Union Jackson and Limousine Liberal, this Angel Montano-trained 4-year-old was one jump short of getting through this condition during Kentucky Derby week.

Royal Saint, by Candy Ride

Last 3 Beyers: 75-96-91

◗ That big two-back Beyer helped account for why he was a heavy favorite in his Oaklawn Park farewell last month, and now he’s looking to rebound from that off-the-board finish.

Wabel, by Curlin

Last 3 Beyers: 99-75-83

◗ He’s had 11 weeks since posting easily his career-high Beyer. He’s trained by Brad Cox, whose stable continues to hum along at a nearly 30 percent win clip.

Blaze’n Prospector, by Discreetly Mine

Last 3 Beyers: 89-79-90

◗ A New Year’s Eve tussle with Great Stuff at Fair Grounds resulted in him being disqualified, but he won right back for that condition and more recently had a useful start at Keeneland.