The Thursday feature at Churchill Downs, race 8, runs through trainer Brad Cox, who sends Destino d’Oro out for her first start since she took a narrow defeat last October in the Jessamine Stakes at Keeneland. Destino d’Oro and 11 other fillies and mares were entered in Thursday’s finale, a first-level allowance carded for 1 1/16 miles on grass. With the portable rail set at 36 feet only 10 can start, leaving two big longshots on the also-eligible list. Destino d’Oro carries 118 pounds, gets six pounds from her older rivals, and Cox believes the filly is set for a representative showing following the extended break. Destino d’Oro scored a sharp debut win at Kentucky Downs late last summer and came out on the wrong end of a three-horse win photo after a dismal trip in the Jessamine. “Really good race. Traffic trouble, someone kind of came over on her, she raced a little green down the lane, but she really kicked in,” Cox said. “I still can’t believe she didn’t win. I watched it again the other day and I thought she wins for sure.” Four-year-olds Expatriate and Sy B both returned from a long layoff to race competitively at this class level this spring. They’re Destino d’Oro’s chief opponents on turf, while Justinqueso could land in a great spot should rain force the Thursday feature onto dirt. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.