King's preview: Believe in Kitten has edge

Thursday, Nov. 8, preview

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With tracks such as Laurel and Aqueduct off the turf Thursday, Churchill Downs refreshingly remains on the grass due to lower-than-forecasted precipitation in the area over the past two days.

The main track is fast, and the turf course is “good” – though there is still a chance of rain in the afternoon.

The first of the two grass races Thursday, the sixth race, has two scratches: #9 FLASHY SUNRISE and #10 RAINBOW TRIP. Neither looked like a contender on the turf.

That leaves a field of 10 running for a $40,000 tag, and to these eyes, a slight edge goes to BELIEVE IN KITTEN (#1, 5-1), who seems back in top form again after romping vs. $25,000 claimers on grass at Kentucky Downs. As a former stakes competitor, he has the back class to suggest he can handle the rise in class.

MIDNIGHT NOTES (#8, 5-2) was entered in a starter $16,000 race last week on turf but didn’t get a chance to run when it overfilled and he was excluded. He is 3 for 10 this year but would be 5 for 10 if he had not been disqualified for interference in a couple races.

Race 9, the second turf race

SAFFRON HALL (#4, 2-1) just won a third-level allowance against a better field at Keeneland on yielding ground and should also like a “good” course. He actually faces easier in this second-level allowance by racing for a $62,500 tag under the optional claiming conditions of the race.

RED STRIKE (#8, 5-2) ranks just behind, having regularly run first or second in races on Polytrack or grass. He, like SAFFRON HALL, has proven a rewarding claim for his connections.

Spot plays

Race 2: BOTTLE ROCKET (#1, 7-2) came back to romp at Keeneland despite a slow start after running fourth behind Flashy Chelsey when debuting in September; has Corey Lanerie and the top last-race Beyer Speed Figure, a 67.

Race 7: STREET TOUGH (#8, 8-1) might be overlooked on the stretch-out to a route, but encouraged that his connections want to give it a try, even after he faded to seventh after chasing the leaders in a sprint at Keeneland; improvement anticipated in his second out.

Race 8: KNOTTY PINE (#2, 3-1), the day's best, impressed with a nose loss at Keeneland in her first start on dirt, showing a clear liking for the surface despite being bred for turf.

Early scratches

RACE 3
SCRATCH #7 Red Light Runner

RACE 6
SCRATCH #9 Flashy Sunrise
SCRATCH #10 Rainbow Trip

RACE 7
SCRATCH AE #13 Otto Shootie
SCRATCH AE #14 Bravo Charlie