Homebred can upset optional-claiming feature on card that also includes Magic City Classic

There is a stakes race – in a manner of speaking – on the Friday card, but the actual feature is race 8, a second-level allowance also open to $40,000 claimers and carded for about 5 1/2 furlongs on turf. The temporary turf rail is scheduled to be set at 20 feet, and the late-week forecast calls for clear weather.

Earlier on the program comes the $50,000 Magic City Classic for Alabama-breds. Buggin Out, who’s a 9-year-old now, won this race five years in a row between 2014 and 2018 before finishing third, beaten a nose and a neck, in the 2019 renewal. Buggin Out returns from a year layoff for another Magic City, which is contested over one mile and 70 yards, goes as race 5, and figures to have Foolish Steve as the favorite.

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As for the featured eighth, Homebred is the pick to post an upset. It was only in a $30,000 maiden claimer, but Homebred posted a 90 Beyer Speed Figure winning a turf sprint by nearly nine lengths over the Fair Grounds course last February, returning in March to finish a close third in a first-level allowance. He cleared his first allowance condition over the summer at Ellis Park and runs here under the claiming option for trainer Tom Amoss. Homebred can get first run on contending closers Race Driver and Born Great as Readyforprimetime keeps likely pacesetter Duncastle honest on the lead.