King's preview: Share the Sugar in sweet spot

Churchill Downs preview for Thursday, June 5

Wednesday rain never came

Forecasted thunderstorms on Wednesday largely missed the Louisville area, and with skies clearing Thursday, the main track is expected to be fast and the turf course firm.

With the eighth race staying on the turf, Share the Sugar appears a likely winner. A first-out winner sprinting on the Polytrack at Keeneland April 4, she ran a fast-closing fourth there as well on the grass April 23 after hopping at the start.

That race earned her an 80 Beyer Speed Figure, easily the top last-race figure, and marginally higher than any figure her opponents have ever run

Other contenders include the class-dropping Courageous Julie, who ran sixth in the Edgewood Stakes on Oaks Day, her third consecutive stakes try after winning a maiden race at Oaklawn; Baroness Rose, who was a close fifth in a fast race at Keeneland the last time she raced on turf; and Justanewkidintown, who scored in a maiden race at Churchill May 9 over a next-out winner.

Which Marathon Lady will show up?

If Marathon Lady runs to her potential in the seventh race, she is a winner. Twice graded placed in Grade 1 company last year, she is unquestionably the class of this race, a first-level allowance.

The issue is whether she will run to her ability. Although she figured to need a comeback race when third May 9 in her seasonal debut, her performance was still quite disappointing – with her tiring late and running only a 71 Beyer.

Senior Prom seems an improving sort and might be the one to capitalize if Marathon Lady does not show up with her "A" game. Senior Prom was a flashy maiden winner in her last start, and shows a favorable speed figure pattern of pairing up Beyers in the upper 70s.

SPOT PLAYS

Race 3

LORD TYRION (#4, 5-2) has trained swiftly leading up to his first race. He is trained by Eddie Kenneally, who is 7 for 18 with first-out 2-year-olds running 5 1/2 furlongs or shorter during spring meets at Churchill over the past five years. He should offer a bit of value with the public likely to pounce on the Mark Casse-trained Conquest Bigluck E.

Race 5

HEYKITTYKITTYKITTY (#6, 5-2) is perfectly suited to the conditions, a starter for horses that have raced for $30,000 or less and have not won an open allowance or stake. This miss has won two statebred stakes races and a starter, and has never been off the board in seven starts.

Race 6

LAKE CREEK (#1, 3-1) ran poorly last out for this $25,000 tag, fading to fifth, but owner Maggi Moss and trainer Tom Amoss saw something they liked to claim him that day; should return to top form.

Early Scratches

Race 2

#4 Another Trick

Race 7

#4 Tap Twenty One

Race 9

#1 Event Center