King's preview: Strong allowances mark mid-week card

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Although most tracks save their better races for days with higher attendance and exposure, Fridays through Sundays most often, some of the races Wednesday at Churchill are a break from that norm.

The ninth race, a second-level allowance for fillies on the grass, drew a good lot, led by DAZZLING (#7), an Irish invader who is multiple Group 3 placed against top Europeans Venus de Milo and Tarfasha.

Her U.S. works have not lived up to her name, at least from a time perspective, but there is no disputing the class she displayed overseas.

A note for horseplayers: Her last published work in her past performances is listed as having come Oct. 9, but according to Craig Bernick of Glen Hill Farm, which co-owns the filly, a turf work was missed by the Keeneland clockers a week or so ago.

If by chance she doesn’t run to her Irish running lines – and that happens with some Euro imports – IN MY TIME (#3) could prove dangerous. She has been first or second in all four of her turf starts. Granted, she is stepping up from a first-level allowance victory but still looks to be a contender.

The more battle-tested contenders, relative to In My Time, include stakes droppers BARONESS ROSE (#2), ANNULMENT (#1), AWESOME JILL (#5), and ENJOY THE FAMILY (#7).

Third-level allowance in race 5

The ninth isn’t the only allowance Wednesday, with the fifth race actually being the richest, a $47,000 third-level allowance, though it drew a shorter field – hence its placement mid-card.

That race lost a key entrant with the scratch of TREASURY BILL (#5), leaving a field of six.

The choice is six-time winner CONGENIAL (#2), who is stepped up in class after dusting $32,000 claimers here going a one-turn mile during the September meet, running a 98 Beyer Speed Figure. Jockey Rafael Hernandez is 2 for 2 riding him this year, and he's back aboard.

OFFICER ALEX (#4, 6-1) is a stakes-winning Pennsylvania-bred but an inconsistent runner. He is capable with his best, but one never really knows what to expect from him.

Spot plays

Race 1: JOEDINI (#7, 3-1), the day's best, is dropped sharply in class and comes off a sharp work at Keeneland for Amoss, whose horses tend to run to their works; caught the mud last time at Keeneland, and ran poorly after a slow start from the rail.

Race 2: JINX THE CAT (#3, 3-1), in sharp form in his last two races on dirt, may drift up a bit from his morning line due to mediocre efforts clouding his past performances in the early to middle portion of the year.

Race 4: FINE ASSAY (#3, 5-1) never fired a soft turf course at Keeneland, trailing from start to finish in a tough allowance. That race doesn't seem representative of her ability. Now in for a tag, and Channing Hill, up for her two wins this year, rides for father-in-law Wayne Catalano.

Early changes

Race 1
#1 Doubly Distinct - first start since reported as gelding

Race 5
#5 Treasury Bill - scratched

Race 6
#1 January Bee - scratched
#1A Cherokee Scoots - scratched
#14 Brigade - scratched
#15 Ridge City - scratched

Race 7
#2 Full Heart - first start since reported as gelding
#9 Bigjohnfrancis - scratched
#10 Dr. Hal - scratched

Race 8
#5 Sonny Short Stack - scratched
#11 Hey Court Lady - scratched

Race 9
#1 Annulment - no longer a coupled entry
#1A Pretty Fancy - scratched
#10 Mufajaah - scratched
#11 Handmade - scratched