King's preview: Value plays throughout River City card

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A 10-race card highlighted by the Grade 3 River City Handicap – one of the better stakes races across the country – comprises the day’s racing Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Good betting race that it is – having written at length about the River City in a column that appeared earlier in Daily Racing Form – the focus of this preview will be on other races and other wagering opportunities.

One such race is the sixth race, a third-level allowance at a mile on turf, in which a potentially rewarding value play looms on SMARTYFLY (#6). A consistent filly that has been on the board in 10 of 14 starts, she comes off a close third in a stakes race at Woodbine, and she’s versatile enough to handle a stretch out in distance from seven furlongs to a mile, having won as far as 1 1/4 miles last year.

CORPORATE CULTURE (#7) chased the pace in her latest at Keeneland before tiring late to be third, and off that race, as well as her overall form, she is a contender. Cutting back slightly in distance from 1 1/16 miles to a mile also should work to her benefit.

As for California invader PREMIER STEPS (#2), she has a chance, but in general, it seems California shippers are overbet when moving to other circuits, with bettors sometimes incorrectly assuming they hold a significant class edge.

Spot plays

Race 2: ELECTRIC TEMPTRESS (#1, 2-1) won for fun at Keeneland with a sweeping rally and should repeat over a track where she is a past winner. Looks like a good single for multi-race exotic tickets.

Race 8: SASSY KISS (#6, 4-1) is a consistent performer who lost by just a half-length at this level when last racing at Churchill during the September meet. Hit the board in all four of his starts at Churchill.

Early changes

Race 1
Scratch – #4 Blutadda

Race 3
Equipment note – #1 Four Lakes, blinkers on

Race 6
Scratches – #1A Miss Squeal (entered for main track only, part of entry, #1 Run a Risk will run); AE #11 Ocean Bertie (entered for main track only)

Race 7
Scratches – AE #1A Papa Bravo (part of entry, #1 Sierra Victor will run); AE #13 Calmbeforethestorm; AE #14 His World; AE #15 Proud Royal

Race 10
Scratch – AE #13 Summer Solution