King's preview: Stars of Tomorrow card kicks off meet

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In what has become a fall tradition, Churchill Downs opens its meet with a Stars of Tomorrow card of races strictly for 2-year-olds Sunday, led by a couple overnight stakes that partially fill the void of the Iroquois and Pocahontas stakes that were moved to Churchill’s September meet starting in 2013.

According to Churchill Downs publicity, Stars of Tomorrow programs – and there will be another later in the meet – have seen 33 eventual Grade 1 winners since their introduction and 19 millionaires led by the 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver; the 2011 Preakness and 2012 Met Mile and Clark Handicap winner Shackleford; the 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra; the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Classic and 2013 Stephen Foster Handicap victor Fort Larned; the 2012 Kentucky Oaks winner Believe You Can; and the 2013 champion 3-year-old Will Take Charge.

Last year’s pair of all 2-year-old cards included such quality runners as Albano, Commanding Curve, General a Rod, Ride On Curlin, Southern Honey, Stonetastic, Tapiture, Tiz Windy, and Unbridled Forever.

Race 4: Street Sense Stakes

NUN THE LESS (#5, 4-1) has won two in a row since a runner-up finish in his debut and proved with a win Oct. 3 at Keeneland that he can handle dirt. His stalking style is a plus in a race that should unfold with a fast pace, and he should offer value.

CONQUEST TSUNAMI (#6, 2-1) hit the brakes and faded to sixth in the Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity after the victorious Carpe Diem surged past him, but he is otherwise perfect, though his wins have come on Poly and turf and in races shorter than this mile dirt race.

FAR RIGHT (#2, 5-2) nicely won over this track off the bench in September and was fourth in the Futurity at Belmont – a race that was run in fast time but that seemed weak for a Grade 2, coming so close to the Champagne.

Race 8: Rags to Riches Stakes

HOPEFAITHJOY (#10, 5-2) overcame a poor start and wide draw to win going away in a 1 1/16-mile maiden race at Keeneland. Expect a better trip with a long run to the one turn in this mile race.

STREETHEART (#9, 9-2) looked on her way to a comfortable victory first out but noticeably tired late and had to share the win in a dead-heat finish Sept. 27 at Churchill. That could point to stamina limitations or may have been the result of being a little short of foundation in her debut, but the talent is there.

WEST COAST BELLE (#1, 10-1), part of a Gary and Mary West-owned entry, is a daughter of Tapit who rallied from last to win a 5 1/2-furlong sprint at Monmouth. Stretching out to a mile should be to her liking.

Spot plays

Race 2: MOONLIGHT BANDIT (#6, 5-1), seventh first out, trained well before that race, and has continued to breeze swiftly since. He has more talent than he displayed in his debut.

Race 5: DANZIG MOON (#5, 4-1) ran a close fourth at Keeneland first out after a somewhat tardy start. He seems likely to improve with experience and a stretch out in distance.

Early scratches

Race 1
#3 Sweet Miss Lou

Race 3
#6 Mostly Mozart

Race 5
#1 Tarasenko
#2 Clarkie Road

Race 8
#5 No Fault of Mine

Race 10
#13AE Decoration