King's Churchill preview for Saturday, Sept. 27

Saturday, Sept. 27, preview

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With Grade 1 race after Grade 1 race being run Saturday at Belmont Park and Santa Anita, Saturday’s card at Churchill takes a backseat to those tracks. But the races Saturday at Churchill are still among the better ones of the September meet, with the Homecoming Classic and Jefferson Cup highlighting the day.

The former race is the less appealing wagering race of the two stakes, having drawn a field of six and with seemingly only three or perhaps four contenders.

Carve (#3, 9-5) is this handicappers’ choice, having won four for seven this year while keeping top company. Even when he has lost, he has often run well, such as when second to the quick Bradester in the Grade 3 Ack Ack.

Departing (#4, 2-1) is a close second choice while dropping in class. He never fired in the Grade 1 Whitney but was previously third in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster on this track. He also owns a fat $1.5 million bankroll thanks to astute placement in lesser derbies last year at age 3.

The front-running Cigar Street (#5, 5-2) seems to have the tactical advantage of being the lone speed but likely will be bet down by horseplayers who will quickly spot that angle. Always a talented horse, he has been prone to getting sidelined.

The Jefferson Cup

Little doubt to these eyes who the best horse is in the Jefferson Cup: Heart to Heart (#3, 5-2). He posted a 96 Beyer Speed Figure in winning a stakes race in fast time last out at Saratoga and is a skilled miler.

Those wishing to try to beat him likely will do so on the angle that there is plenty of pace in the race, leaving Heart to Heart at risk of getting caught up in a speed duel.

The best alternatives in the race are Speightsland (#4, 3-1), who just lasted over a next-out winner in a fast race at Woodbine on grass most recently, which followed a near miss in a stakes race there, and Hesinfront (#8, 9-2), a closer who may be able to capitalize if a hot pace unfolds.

Spot plays

Race 4: Voodooville (#5, 7-2) has won three straight and factors on the rise from $10,000 to $16,000; owned by Maggi Moss, whose claiming horses are among the best spotted and managed of any around.

Race 5: Powertap (#10, 4-1) is a Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred who debuts in this 2-year-old dash; shows the usual diet of moderate Asmussen five-furlong drills; nice bloodlines, by Tapit out a Storm Cat mare who is a daughter of Grade 1 winner Fleet Renee.

Early changes

Jockey Miguel Mena is off his mounts, hence all the rider changes listed below.

RACE 1
Jockey Change: #1 Prime Number, TBA

RACE 2
Jockey Change: #5 Lola Getz, TBA

RACE 4
Jockey Change: #7 Mister Bernstein, TBA

RACE 5
Jockey Change: #9 Keen Pauline, TBA

RACE 6
SCRATCH AE #1A Kilted Cowboy (part of entry, #1 De Facto will run)
SCRATCH AE #13 General Quickie
SCRATCH AE #14 Global Slowdown

RACE 10
Jockey Change: #8 Hesinfront, TBA

RACE 11
SCRATCH #1 Miss Deweese Inlet
SCRATCH #2 Drivingmitziandmax
SCRATCH #3 St. Louie Slew
Jockey Change: #10 Ready Express, TBA