Fast pace would aid One True Kiss in Wednesday allowance

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – What Wednesday’s featured fourth race at Churchill Downs lacks in size, with just six fillies and mares entered, it makes up for to some extent with competitiveness.

Nearly every entrant has a chance, as reflected by morning-line odds ranging from 5-2 on favorite One True Kiss to only 5-1 on Northern Connect, the longest shot in the race. The $53,000, second-level allowance with a $62,500 claiming option covers 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt.

The race drew an above-average amount of pace, with Sea Cloud, Improv, Doxology, and Clair de Lune all preferring to race on or near the lead. That could lead to lively early fractions that would aid the late-running One True Kiss.

One True Kiss, who placed in four stakes last year, is in good form, having run third in three consecutive races, including both of her starts this year at Oaklawn Park. A 4-year-old daughter of Warrior’s Reward owned by Kirk and Judy Robison, she is trained by Steve Asmussen, who named Florent Geroux to ride.

To record her first victory in more than a year, she will need to catch Sea Cloud and Doxology, seemingly the two most dependable front-runners. Sea Cloud managed a second at Keeneland on April 13 after dueling for the lead, and Doxology steps up in class after winning a first-level allowance by 6 1/4 lengths at Fair Grounds on March 12, earning an 84 Beyer Speed Figure.

Doxology has trained sharply at Churchill Downs leading into this race, going five furlongs in 1:00.20 on April 15 and then breezing half a mile on a “good” track in 47.80 seconds on April 23.

Key Contenders

One True Kiss, by Warrior’s Reward
Last 3 Beyers: 79-76-77

◗ Got a hot pace last out, and though she rallied to be third, beaten three-quarters of a length, she seemed to flatten out in the final 70 yards after being put to an early drive.

Sea Cloud, by Mizzen Mast
Last 3 Beyers: 73-81-73

◗ Proved no match for Pawley’s Express at Keeneland last out but remained steady-paced in the stretch to take second from a fatigued Carolina Jasmine.

Doxology, by Songandaprayer
Last 3 Beyers: 84-73-74

◗ Threw down furious fractions of 21.30 and 44.86 seconds over a sealed, wet-fast track at Fair Grounds on March 12 and extended her lead at every call, completing six furlongs in 1:10.61.