King's preview: Turf races packing 'em in

Friday, June 6 preview

Big fields on grass

With Belterra Park, Thistledown and Presque Isle each without a turf course, and Indiana Downs delaying the start of its grass-racing season until the summer, it should come as no surprise that races on grass have had bigger fields than those on dirt at Churchill Downs. In the weeks since the Derby was run, average field size for the turf has been 8.7 horses, compared to 6.3 for dirt.

Friday’s card reflects this trend. Though the first turf race of the day, the third, attracted only seven entrants, the sixth and eighth races drew overflow fields, though they are capped at 10 starters due to the temporary turf rail being out to protect the inside of the Churchill turf course.

The sixth and eighth are also among the better races. The sixth is a straight maiden race for 3-year-old fillies which drew a few promising runners, and the eighth is a first-level allowance headlined by General Jack.

General Jack won a minor stakes at Canterbury last year, and ran fifth in the Grade 2 American Turf on the Kentucky Derby undercard.

Worst race of meet

First post, as usual, for Friday at Churchill Downs is 2:45 p.m. Eastern, but fans that can’t make the opener because of work or other obligations can take comfort that they’ll be missing the worst race of the meet.

It’s a $5,000 claimer for horses winless on the year. And besides lacking quality, it has just six betting interests, with most of the field having last raced at Mountaineer or Belterra Park.

SPOT PLAYS

Race 2

HIKE (#4, 2-1) broke a length or two behind the field from when debuting from the fence last time, and then grew keen behind horses, running up on their heels and having to be steadied. Considering the trouble, she ran well to be fourth and seems likely to improve second out with experience and a better draw.

Race 7

ONE KING’S MAN (#5, 2-1) was an astute claim for $40,000 by trainer Brad Cox, and is now placed in a $50,000 claimer that seems relatively soft for the level. The barn's runners usually improve first off the claim; a good single for multi-race gimmicks.

Race 9

ZANTASTICAL (#3, 2-1) just won a fast nonwinners-of-two claimer at Indiana Downs in which the third-place finisher, Steel Guitar, came back to win by 11 1/2 lengths. This horse also has tactical speed and has won over this track.

Early Scratches

Race: 6

#3 Rau Breck

Race: 9

#6 The One Thing