King's preview: Deep fields late on Sunday card

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – After beginning the Sunday card with a few short fields, the races at Churchill are refreshingly large over the final two thirds of the day – the benefit of fewer tracks racing in November compared to other times of the year.

The featured ninth drew 11 runners, with many being speed horses. And in part for that reason, the choice is DOUBLE OURS (#4), a stalker who should sit the perfect trip behind a hot pace.

Beyond that advantage, there are other things to like. He was claimed for $25,000 from a fast race Sept. 13 by high-percentage trainer Brad Cox, and if this one can repeat the 91 Beyer Speed Figure he ran that day, he looks capable of perhaps upsetting this second-level allowance field.

In addition to playing him to win, we’ll try some exactas in the race, using speed horses VANITY FEATURE (#9) and GAMBLER’S GHOST (#8) beneath him. The former hasn't started since April but runs well fresh and is a talented runner, who gets his blinkers taken off. And Gambler’s Ghost steps up from a first-level allowance after scoring by 3 1/2 lengths Sept. 28.

Spot plays

Race 5: KEEN PAULINE (#4, 3-1) never quit trying in a Sept. 27 maiden race after Streetheart surged to a clear lead and ended up dead-heating that one for the win when the latter tired in the final sixteenth of a mile.

Race 6: LIVE FOREVER (#6, 7-2) posted the highest Beyer in this inexperienced maiden field in running a 59 after chasing the leaders and finishing seventh at Keeneland. She was well backed to 7-2 odds and has trained well since, as she did before her debut.

Race 8: SEEKING PARADISE (#8, 4-1) nearly pulled off a stunning upset when second at 47-1 last out at Keeneland. Despite her price that day, the race was legitimate. She overcame a wide draw, took the lead in mid-stretch after surging from sixth, and was tagged in the closing strides.

Early scratches

Race 2
Scratches – #1 Mr. Latonia; #4 Crooked As Can Be

Race 6
Scratches – AE #13 Shopaholic; AE #14 Beentospain