King's preview: Still on the grass

Wednesday, Nov. 5, preview

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Forecasted showers never materialized overnight in the Louisville area, with only light drizzle for the most part – resulting in the turf races remaining on the grass as of Wednesday morning, though officials are calling it “good.” The main track is fast.

Even with the featured sixth race, an allowance turf sprint, staying on the grass, four early scratches were reported: #2 Spun Cap, #3 Reflector, #5 Hogy, and #9 Tell All You Know.

The scratch of Hogy leaves SUM OF THE PARTS (#8) as the most likely winner. He is quick, and although winless since January, when he won a stakes race at Sam Houston, he is in reasonably good form.

Chicago invader SAINT LEON (#10) also has a shot, having compiled an 8-for-13 record on grass – not bad for a horse who once raced for a nickel at Mountaineer.

NO DISTINCTION (#4) also merits attention, though he is not as fast as the aforementioned two. He did manage to rally to be a close fourth in the Grade 3 Woodford at Keeneland last out after a tardy start.

Ninth Race

With the races staying on the grass, at least as of this writing Wednesday morning, KITTEN’S QUEEN (#9) seems a good single for multirace exotic players. She won an allowance at Saratoga in August before a third-place finish there in September.

A longshot to throw into the mix is ANNABIRD (#1). Her turf form is solid, and she is well drawn in post 1, putting her in better position to get a ground-saving trip.

Spot plays

Race 7: C J'S BRAHMS (#6, 5-2), first or second in five straight races, just won a starter allowance at Indiana Grand that may have been better than the nickel claiming group she faces here. Her tactical speed is a plus.

Race 8: HEADSTONE (#2, 9-2) comes off a series of good efforts vs. nonwinners-of-two opposition at Indiana Grand and is well drawn in a large field in post 2 with a short run to the first turn.

Early changes

Race 1

SCRATCH #3 Ride the Lightning

Race 2

SCRATCH #2 Rope a Dope

Race 3

SCRATCH #2 Mexican Miss

Race 4

SCRATCH #4Little Blue

Race 5

SCRATCH #5 Precipice Trail
SCRATCH #8 Kumacandu

Race 6

SCRATCH #2 Spun Cap
SCRATCH #3 Reflector
SCRATCH #5 Hogy
SCRATCH #9 Tell All You Know

Race 7

SCRATCH #4 Lovely Jane

Race 9

SCRATCH #3 Nice Number
JOCKEY CHANGE: #11 Primed for Passion, Rafael Hernandez

Race 10

SCRATCH #10 Fire and Gasoline
SCRATCH #11 Hot Latin Lover
SCRATCH AE #13 Car Fifty Four
SCRATCH AE #14 Bright Bullet
SCRATCH AE #15 Mr. Hower A
SCRATCH AE #16 Eight to the Bar