King's preview: Stakes action continues with Jessamine

Wednesday, Oct. 8, preview

Although the weekend is over, the graded stakes action at Keeneland is not. The return of racing at Keeneland on Wednesday brings us the Jessamine Stakes, a Grade 3 turf event for 2-year-old fillies that serves as a Win and You’re In prep for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Following rain in Kentucky on Monday and Tuesday, the main track was being called “muddy” this morning and the turf “yielding.” These conditions could be upgraded by post time under sunny skies.
Here is a look at the Jessamine, some Wednesday spot plays, and the early changes.

Race 8, Jessamine Stakes, 4:42 p.m. Eastern

FILA PRIMERA (#3, 4-1) is the choice, having found room late to get up and win her debut with a strong finish after being trapped behind rivals setting a slow pace. She acts like the real deal for trainer Chad Brown, who excels with lightly raced 2-year-olds on turf, and jockey Javier Castellano comes in from New York for the mount.

COOL COMFORT (#6, 6-1) dominated maidens at Kentucky Downs in fast time, though she was sprinting. She weakened the one time she routed, but she does have the pedigree to go two turns.

RAINHA DA BATERIA (#9, 9-2) rallied to be fourth in the P.G. Johnson Stakes at Saratoga after being carried wide into the first turn. That race followed a first-out win in a turf sprint there.

Spot Plays

Race 3: ERRANT (#6, 6-1) performed well in his only start, finishing third behind Lawn Ranger at Kentucky Downs, and the latter returned to win the Grade 3 Bourbon here Sunday, validating the strength of that maiden race. He should be a fair price in a large field, though expecting him to get bet down to 4-1 or so from his 6-1 morning line.

Race 5: Bisque (#9, 6-1) is likely to be overlooked coming off a fifth at Indiana Grand as the favorite. Willing to keep the faith with the proper placement in Kentucky to face $50,000 claimers; is not a high-percentage winner but a probable overlay.

Race 7: Magical Moment (#4, 8-1) has become a starter standout and a legitimate allowance horse since being claimed by trainer Angel Montano for a $10,000 in May; capable of rating and likely will do so here, being drawn outside the rail-drawn speedball Joy Boy.

Early changes

Race: 3
#1 Sierra Delta, No longer a coupled entry
#1A Bravo Delta, (AE) Scratched
#3 Sounds Divine, Scratched

Race: 4
#4 Alazan Shiner, Scratched

Race: 5
#6 Solitary Ranger, Scratched

Race: 6
#6 High Noon Rider, Scratched

Race: 7
#5 Paltarrevenge, Scratched

Race: 9
#1 Lady Marian, Scratched
#7 Moon River Gal, Scratched